LAUGHTON D. SMITH, LT, USN
Laughton Smith '65
Lucky Bag
From the 1965 Lucky Bag:
LAUGHTON DOUGLAS SMITH
Humansville, Missouri
"Laughton," being a rather high-sounding name for such a natural guy, gave way to "Smeed" early in Smeed's grade school years. Laughton has always had a winning personality, with a bright smile and heartwarming enthusiasm. He forsook the "anguishes" of Missouri University and fraternity life with the Beta's after his freshman year to don the Navy blue. Since then he has distinguished himself by his high grades, self confidence, and willingness to get things done right. After Laughton's commissioning in June '65, the fleet can look forward to another officer who reflects the high ideals of the Academy.
LAUGHTON DOUGLAS SMITH
Humansville, Missouri
"Laughton," being a rather high-sounding name for such a natural guy, gave way to "Smeed" early in Smeed's grade school years. Laughton has always had a winning personality, with a bright smile and heartwarming enthusiasm. He forsook the "anguishes" of Missouri University and fraternity life with the Beta's after his freshman year to don the Navy blue. Since then he has distinguished himself by his high grades, self confidence, and willingness to get things done right. After Laughton's commissioning in June '65, the fleet can look forward to another officer who reflects the high ideals of the Academy.
Loss
Laughton was lost when USS Scorpion (SSN 589) sank on May 22, 1968.
Obituary
From USS Scorpion (SSN-589) In Memoriam
Laughton Douglas Smith was born March 24, 1942, in Humansville, Mo. At Jefferson City (Mo.) High School he was a member of the National Honor Society and received athletic awards for his participation in basketball, football, and track. Lieu tenant Laughton entered the University of Missouri in the fall of 1960, and he was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity there. He received a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1961 and graduated with the class of 1965.
After graduation, Laughton taught sailing at the Academy until he reported to nuclear propulsion training at Bainbridge, Md., followed by classes in Windsor, Conn, and basic submarine training at the Naval Submarine School graduating in April 1967. He reported to U.S.S. Scorpion in April 1967, and served as food services officer and communications officer. He wore the National Defense Service Medal.
He is survived by his wife, the former Jane Victoria Graham of Stonington, Conn., and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Warren Smith of Jefferson City, Mo.
He has a memorial in Missouri.
Family
From the Jefferson City News And Tribune on April 9, 1967:
Jane Graham marries Laughton Douglas Smith
Miss Jane Victoria Graham and Lt jg Laughton Douglas Smith were married at 2 p.m. Saturday in Immanuel Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Del. The Rev. Roddey Reid Jr., and the Rev. Charles M. Priebe Jr. Jr., officiated at the ceremony. The reception was held in the DuBarry Room of the Hotel DuPont. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Victor Graham of Wilmington. Mr. Smith's parents are Mr. and Mrs. J. Warren Smith, 1920 Chicago Road, Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a floor length gown of white pique with Swiss Guipere lace. A pique bow held her veil of illusion. She carried a cascade of phalaenopsis orchids and stephanotis. Attending the bride as maid of honor was her sister, Miss Nancy White Graham. Bridesmaids were Miss Janet Smith, sister of the groom, of Kansas City; Miss Nancy Lynch of Chamblee, Ga., Miss Martha Ann Dunn of Havertown, Pa.; Miss Linda Jantz and Miss Iris Goldstein,, both of Wilmington. Miss Vicky Taylor, niece of the bride, was the flower girl. The attendants wore blue linen dresses with princess line bodice and A-line skirt. The three-quarter length sleeves were trimmed with Venise lace. They wore matching linen bows. The flower girl wore a white pique empire dress with blue bow and flowers in her hair. Lt. (jg) Ammon William Bower of Newark, Del., served as best man. Ushers were Lieutenants junior grade, Frank Spangenserg III of New York; John Charles Markowicz of Boston, Mass.; Paul Kellog of Janesville Wis.; Frederick Berthrong of Great Falls, Va.; and Charles Mills Wood of Providence, Ky. Mrs. Smith will graduate in June from the University of Delaware. Mr. Smith Is a 1965 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy and will report in late April to the nuclear submarine Scorpion which is home ported in Norfolk Va. After a wedding trip to Vermont, the couple will reside in Norfolk.
He was also survived by his parents.
Related Articles
Francis Slattery '54, David Lloyd '56, Daniel Stephens '59, John Burke '63, Charles Lamberth '63, George Farrin '63, John Sweet '64, and Michael Odening '66 were also aboard USS Scorpion (SSN 589) when she was lost with all hands on May 22, 1968.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
