Robert H. Smith (naval officer)
| Robert Holmes Smith | |
|---|---|
 Robert Holmes Smith, ca. 1920 | |
| Born |
8 August 1898 Harrellsville, North Carolina |
| Died |
21 January 1943 (aged 44) near Ukiah, California |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1920–1943 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held |
USS Bonita (SS-165) USS Sperry (AS-12) Squadron 2, Pacific Submarine Fleet |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
Robert Holmes Smith (8 August 1898 – 21 January 1943) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II.
Born in Harrellsville, North Carolina, Smith graduated from the Naval Academy on 6 June 1919. After duty in various surface ships, he served with the Submarine Service for 17 years. He commanded USS Bonita (SS-165), was an instructor at the New London submarine school, a member of the Naval Academy staff, Submarine Gunnery Officer with the Bureau of Navigation, Navigation Officer in USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and Chief of Staff for Submarine Division, Atlantic Patrol Force. Following promotion to captain, he commanded USS Sperry (AS-12) in the Pacific from May 1942 to January 1943.
He was Commander of Squadron 2, Pacific Submarine Fleet, when he died in the crash of the Philippine Clipper flying boat in Northern California on 21 January 1943.
Namesake
USS Robert H. Smith (DM-23), the lead ship of her class of destroyer minelayers, was named in his honor.
References
- Navsource Naval History, USS ROBERT H. SMITH (DD-735 / DM-23 / MMD-23)
- On Eternal Patrol - Lost Submariners of World War II, Robert Holmes Smith
- Findagrave, Robert Holmes Smith
External links
- Blair, Clay (March 2001). Silent victory: the U.S. submarine war against Japan. Naval Institute Press. pp. 365–366. ISBN 1-55750-217-X.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.