Charles ' History
Gone But Not Forgotten
Major Charles W Smyth, Jr., (USAF, Ret) of Riverview, FL, passed away February. 20, 2010 at Life Path Hospice House in Ruskin, FL, with is wife at his bedside. Major Smyth was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Class of 1964, First Squadron. Memorial Services were held at Life Path Hospice House on March 4, 2010. Another memorial service and burial were at USAFA on June 3, 2010.
Major Smyth was born on November 12, 1942 to parents Charles W. and Constance R. Smyth. A native of Andover, MA, he graduated from the Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree. Following graduation, he excelled in pilot training, earning an assignment as a fighter pilot. He was fortunate to stay active in tactical aviation for the remainder of his Air Force career, flying the F-4C and G “Phantom II' the RF-101 “VooDoo” and the F-105 “Thunderchief”. His tours of duty included Thailand, England, Germany and Korea as well as bases California, Florida, Ohio, and Arizona. After graduating from the USAF Advanced Safety Program Management Course in 1980, he served as Flight Safety 0fficeron several of his tours and was selected as the Wing Flight Safety Officer in Korea. He retired from Shaw AFB, SC. in 1984.
Major Smyth's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Fying Cross, Airman's Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters), the Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation — Distinguished, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal (With 3 Devices), and the Vietnam Service Medal (With 1 Device). Major Smyth's “Airman's Medal” citation reads “On March 25, 1969, Captain Smyth was piloting a RF-101 aircraft which, just prior to landing, developed severe mechanical difficulties rendering it unfit to land and thereby forcing Captain Smyth to eject over a densely populated area. Prior to ejection, Captain Smyth successfully guided his aircraft to a safe crash area by a series of actions, which endangered his own life to such a degree that his survival was in great peril. By his courageous actions and humanitarian regard for his fellow man at the risk of his own life, Captain Smyth has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force”.
After his military retirement, Charles went to work for Policy Management Systems Company in Columbia, SC. and then in 1987, moved to Riverview, FL. to become an F-16 simulator instructor at MacDill AFB. While working at MacDill AFB, he pursued a second degree, graduating with a degree in Computer Science. When the F-16 Wing transferred to Luke AFB, AZ. in the beginning of 1991, he accepted a position with GTE Data Services. Since leaving GTE, he has been active in several part-time business ventures.
Major Smyth is survived by his loving wife, Judith A (Bauld) Smyth of Riverview, FL; one sister, Joan Clayton and her husband, William of Englewood, CO; niece Jennifer Clayton; nephew Daniel Clayton, sister-in-law Jan Grant, ME; brother-in-law John Bauld and wife Carol of Massachusetts, and many other loving family members.
(John Sellers, Class of 1965, Gone But Not Forgotten, Checkpoints, June 2010)
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