Posted by Dex Brown on July 27, 2011:

I knew him as LTC Smith, having met him when he was our BDE XO. Shortly later, we were working together, LTC Smith as our Bn CO, and me as one of his Co CO's. There are not many more defining relationships in the army than between an infantry Bn CO and Co CO. And LTC Smith made this one all the more special. It seems like just yesterday. LTC Smith had this laser-focus yet light-hearted approach that led to good strategy and tactics while we all had a good time. The leadership he demonstrated, the example he set, and the values and approaches that he evidenced all set the proper, high standard. He never let us down in his judgment nor in his lifting our spirits. What is LTC Smith's legacy? I am sure there is much that we can point to among his family and others who knew him longer than I did. In my case, though, it has been passing his leadership torch to others through me. One of the true joys he must have today is looking down on earth and chuckling that LTC Smith chuckle when one of my proteges reaches out to me now that they have been successful as business leaders and tell me that they did such and such, modeling a leadership practice they learned from me. I just chuckle to them, letting them know that the leadership point they recount is one I have passed along from LTC Smith. Thank you Mrs. Smith, the US Army, and LTC Smith for letting me to get to know him, a great leader. Dex Brown, Class of '70

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