Gorman Curtis Smith

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bob Yerks on September 12, 1998:

MAJOR GENERAL GORMAN CURTIS SMITH I feel embarrassingly inadequate this morning. Embarrassed for not having the eloquence deserved for a eulogy of Major General G. C. Smith -- our Gorman. I trust though my sincerity comes through and will offset my shortcoming. First I must emphasize the glory of this day. Steadfast, loyal, heroic Mary, good Catherine, Glen, Sharon, H.B., grandchildren, family, classmates, friends all. Today your Gorman rests eternally with God, eternally happy, eternally free of earthly burden and eternally enjoying your love. And just the thought of his eternity should console you for the shortness of his life. He broods not in his own passing, for he is basking in and relishing the opportunity to pray for you the Smith family and his army of friends. Gorman was an extraordinary gentleman and soldier. Yes, a genuine human being; and these are not just "nice words" being said in eulogy. From his first military step as a cadet on a July morning on the plain at West Point in 1947, Gorman gave notice of something special, something unique in his contribution to our personal lives and our military heritage. His mark at West Point ostensibly was debating excellence. Called the William Jennings Bryan of our 1951 class, Gorman defined well his convictions and expressed same so articulately. But he was just honing his spunk, and his courage at the podium to display that same spunk and courage so convincingly later on the battlefield. An infantryman he chose to be, although his brilliance as a cadet gave him all branch options. After graduation in 1951 he travelled with us, in our innocence, to Fort Benning, where we studied our trade, jumped from planes and then were scattered by assignments with Gorman soon finding himself in Korea testing his mettle in combat. His performance there is carved stainlessly in our military history. With the 7th Division, Gorman served as Platoon Leader, Battalion Intelligence Officer, Company Commander, and Battalion Operations Officer. His combat awards received while serving in these positions included the Silver Star, 2 Bronze Star Medals with V, 2 Purple Hearts, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Of particular significance were the major contributions made by Gorman and Company E, 17th Infantry to the successful outcome of the battle of Pork Chop Hill in April 1953. E Company's remarkable assault implementing Gorman's unique plan of attack to secure Pork Chop Hill during its final phase was considered by the historian SLA Marshall to be "the pivotal event in the battle" and the one that determined its ultimate outcome. In addition, Gorman's intuition, bold thinking and hard work during this final portion of the battle, also brought praise from Marshall. The brace of heroes, Joe Clemons, Tom Harrold, Elmer Pendleton, and Walt Russell, USMA '51 classmates and key participants in related Pork Chop Hill actions as well, were privileged eyewitnesses to Gorman's achievments. Indeed, his career of service to our republic, both in and out of uniform continued to reflect magnificence as he patterned his life according to the watchwords of the Corps -- Duty, Honor, Country. In recognition of his exceptional intellect, in 1955 Gorman was assigned to Columbia University where he received a MA in Economics, in preparation for assignment to the Department of Social Studies at USMA. While a graduate student, he co-authored a paper which was accepted for publication by the American Economic Review -- a significant achievement. At West Point as Professor of Economics, Gorman was in charge of the First Class Economics. He also taught International Relations and coached the Cadet Debate Team, profoundly influencing the intellectual development of scores of cadets. In 1960 he was transferred to the U. S. Marine Amphibious Warfare School at Quaantico as an Army exchange student, where the Army sends only its best. In 1964 Gorman was assigned to the 82nd Airborn Division and commanded the 2nd Battalion, 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment for two years, serving at Fort Bragg and in the Dominican Republic. His Division Commander lauded him as his finest troop commander. In July 1969 Gorman resigned his commission shedding his Army green for civilian blue. Superb, unselfish, luminous are inadequate descriptors of his latter splendid accomplishments. President Ford wrote of Gorman's governmental service: "...you have consistently demonstratied an ability to tackle successfully complex and sensitive problems and to devise effective approaches to difficult unexpected challenges...You will always be able to look back with pride on your outstanding public service which has earned you my own special gratitude." Good General, you have earned our gratitude too and we are in debt to you for the privilege of just knowing you, the privilege of being your wife, the privilege of being your child, your family, your classmate, your friend. Tennyson once refrained "God's finger touched him and he slept", but we look on your passing not as your last sleep but your final awakening. Gorman, as our cherished Alma Mater rings, "And when our work is done, Our course on earth is run, May it be said, Well Done, Be thou at peace." Indeed, well done, great soldier, good person, enjoy your peace and God bless.

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