JOHN W. SMITH, JR., LTJG, USN
John Smith, Jr. '77
Lucky Bag
From the 1977 Lucky Bag:
JOHN WILLIE SMITH JR.
Virginia
"J.W."
J.W. came to Annapolis from Dinwiddie County Virginia. He was active in everything from the International Club, Choir, 150 lb Football, and Track to Karate. After some varying degrees of success he finally decided to stick with Karate as his main sport. He was known for his great amount of tolerance and be a member of the 17th Co. Fieldball team's famous defense. J.W. is an alumnus of the 17th Co. Ghetto and will certainly miss those wonderful times. He plans to continue his studies in Foreign Affairs in the hopes of finally earning a degree in International Law. J.W. chose N.F.O. on service selection night and will be on his way to Pensacola and flight school after graduation in June. He is looking forward to a fine career in Naval Aviation and in advancing himself in the art of Karate.
JOHN WILLIE SMITH JR.
Virginia
"J.W."
J.W. came to Annapolis from Dinwiddie County Virginia. He was active in everything from the International Club, Choir, 150 lb Football, and Track to Karate. After some varying degrees of success he finally decided to stick with Karate as his main sport. He was known for his great amount of tolerance and be a member of the 17th Co. Fieldball team's famous defense. J.W. is an alumnus of the 17th Co. Ghetto and will certainly miss those wonderful times. He plans to continue his studies in Foreign Affairs in the hopes of finally earning a degree in International Law. J.W. chose N.F.O. on service selection night and will be on his way to Pensacola and flight school after graduation in June. He is looking forward to a fine career in Naval Aviation and in advancing himself in the art of Karate.
Loss
John was lost on December 8, 1979, in the crash of his S-3A Viking near Rota, Spain. More information about the accident can be found here.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
John was a graduate in 1972 from Dinwiddie County High School. Track, Reporter for junior class; Boys’ Poetry Reading, president of the French Club; FCA, vice president; newspaper staff; Quill and Scroll; Student Council; Finalist 1972 National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students.
From the March 1980 issue of Shipmate:
Lt.(jg) John Willie Smith, Jr. USN was killed when his S-3A aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of Spain on 8 December 1979. A memorial service was held concurrently at the Cecil Field Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, and aboard USS FORRESTAL on 12 December.
Born in Fort Lee, Virginia, he was the elder son in a family of six children and was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Virginia. While at the Academy, he was an active member of the karate club. Upon graduation with the Class of 1977, he was assigned to VP-45 as assistant to the administration officer and first lieutenant until reporting for flight training in January of 1978. He was designated naval flight officer on 19 October 1978 and following completion of the replacement air group syllabus at VS-41, reported to VS-30 in September, 1979.
His absence will be deeply felt by his family and friends, the aviation community, and especially by those who grew to know and depend on him — the men of Air Antisubmarine Squadron 30.
He is survived by his widow Phyliss, of Jacksonville, FL.
John was also survived by his parents and has a memorial marker at the West View Cemetery in South Hill, VA, between the gravestones of his parents.
Photographs
All photographs from his high school yearbook.
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