Frederic H. Smith, Jr.

Who was Frederic H. Smith, Jr.?

Frederic Harrison Smith, Jr. CBE was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe from 1959 to 1961; and Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1962.

Smith was born at Fort Monroe, Virginia, in 1908. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated a second lieutenant of Field Artillery, June 13, 1929.

Smith's first assignment was that of student officer at the Air Corps Primary and Advanced Flying Schools at Brooks and Kelly Fields, Texas. After receiving his wings, he was transferred to the Army Air Corps in December 1930.

His first Air Corps assignment was at France Field, Panama Canal Zone, where he served with the 63rd Service Squadron and the 24th Pursuit Squadron until December 1932. Smith then returned to the U.S. for assignment to the 41st School Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, in January 1933.

From 1936 to 1939, following three years as flying instructor at Kelly Field, Captain Smith served as senior aeronautical inspector for the Panama Canal, Balboa Heights, Canal Zone. He also acted as advisor on aviation matters to the Governor of the Panama Canal.