Richard E. Smith, Jr.

By zthanson, 9 December, 2022
First Name
Richard
Middle Name
E.
Last Name
Smith
Suffix
Jr.
Birthdate
Hometown
Marks, Mississippi
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
Man in a decorated U.S. Air Force uniform in front of a flag with a star.
PreCapture Description

Richard Smith was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Mississippi State University on July 13, 1956, and went on active duty beginning September 26, 1956. Smith completed Navigator Training in December 1957 and the Radar Intercept Officer Course in July 1958. He then served as a Radar Intercept Officer on F-89 Scorpions and F-101B Voodoos with the 445th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, from July 1958 to October 1961, followed by Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Arizona, where he was awarded his pilot wings in October 1962. After completing F-102 Delta Dagger Combat Crew Training, Captain Smith served with the 82nd FIS at Travis AFB, California, from June 1963 to January 1965, and then with the 496th FIS at Hahn AB, West Germany, from January 1965 to February 1967. He completed F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training in July 1967, and then served with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from August 1967 until he was forced to eject while flying his 33rd combat mission over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on October 25, 1967.

Post Release Image
In the background, a stage lined with flags and a man in military suit sitting in a chair. In the foreground a man in a suit with an American flag pin speaking.
Post Release Description

Major Smith was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and then completed Pilot Instructor Training before serving as an instructor pilot with the 50th Flying Training Squadron at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, beginning in November 1973. Colonel Smith later served as Operations Officer and Commander of the 50th FTS, Assistant Director of Operations of the 14th Flying Training Wing, and finally as Director of Operations of the 14th FTW before retiring from the Air Force on July 31, 1978. After his retirement, Gene served as Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport from 1979 to 1999, National President of the Air Force Association from September 1994 to September 1996, and National Chairman of the Board of the Air Force Association from September 1996 to September 1998. The Smith Ceremonial Plaza at Columbus AFB is named in his honor. His wife of 45 years, Rae, passed away on December 23, 2003, and he married his current wife, Lynn, in October 2004. Richard has three children from his first marriage- Kelly, Richard, and Stacy.

Honors, Citations, and Commendations
  • Silver Star (2)
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Bronze Star
  • Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release