Brig Gen John L. Smith Brigadier General John L. Smith served as Kentucky's Assistant Adjutant General for Air prior to his retirement. In that position, he worked directly for Kentucky's Adjutant General on issues affecting the Air National Guard.
General Smith was born 12 September 1937 in Glasgow, Kentucky. He graduated from Louisville (Kentucky) Male High School in 1955. He then attended the University of Louisville's Speed School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1961. His professional military education includes the Air Command and Staff College, 1971; Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1974; Reserve Component National Security Course, 1984; and the U.S. Air Force Soviet Awareness Program, 1986.
General Smith began his military career when he was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program. He then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, receiving his pilot wings upon graduation in August 1962. He was next assigned to the 363rd Troop Carrier Wing at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. In January 1963, he went to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he served a tour in Southeast Asia flying the C-130 Aircraft. In April 1964, General Smith volunteered for assignment to the 1st Air Commando Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, serving with the 317th Air Commando Squadron at Hurlburt until August 1965. He was then reassigned to the 4410th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, as an instructor pilot.
In August 1966, General Smith returned to civilian life as a project engineer working in research, development, and design for E.I. DuPont de Nemours. In 1967, General Smith joined the 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville, flying RF-101 aircraft. He was recalled to active duty with the unit in 1968 during the Pueblo Crisis and served in Alaska, the Canal Zone, and Korea. Upon deactivation in 1969, he returned to civilian life, but remained a member of the Kentucky Air National Guard. In September 1971, General Smith became an air technician flying training instructor with the Kentucky Air National Guard. General Smith held the position for standardization/evaluation officer; chief, standardization / evaluation; squadron operations officer; flight commander; and commander of the 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. He then filled the positions of deputy commander operations; deputy commander maintenance; vice commander; and on 1 October 1983, General Smith was appointed commander of the; 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard. Other assignments the general has held include: ANG Assistant to the Commander in Chief, United States Armed Forces in Europe; the wing commander of the 123rd Tactical Airlift Wing; technician air commander on 1 January 1984; and Kentucky's Assistant Adjutant General for Air in 1991.
General Smith was a command pilot with more than 5,300 hours of flying time in C-130B, RF-4C, RF-101, T-38, T33, F-101F, C-123 and C-131 aircraft. He has received the Legion of Merit, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver and one bronze cluster, Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with a bronze service star, Vietnam Service Medal with bronze service star, Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hour glass device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star, Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm. His state awards include the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal, the Kentucky Merit Ribbon and the Kentucky Service Ribbon with one silver oak leaf cluster.
General Smith was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and federally recognized on 28 June 1984.
The general's civic affiliations included the Air Force Association, National Guard Association of the United States, National Guard Association of Kentucky, Rotary Club, University of Louisville Alumni Association, Old Kentucky Home Council Explorer Scouts, Carlisle Baptist Church and Louisville Armed Forces Committee.
At the time of his death on 5 August 1996, General Smith resided in Louisville, Kentucky and was married to Sherri Stovall. They had two sons, John Jr., and Jay Stovall.
[Information submitted by CMS James Turpin 30 April 2004]