SMITH RALEIGH MERRITT #2

CMD Raleigh Merritt Smith was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/31/2014 at the age of 75.9 from Cancer
Virginia Beach, VA
Date of Birth 11/27/1938
Served in the U.S. Navy
Served in Vietnam with HA(L)-3 in 67-68
Call sign in Vietnam SEAWOLF
This information was provided by Dan Arnes, Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Raleigh Merritt Smith died at home surrounded by his family on Oct. 31, 2014 following a short battle with an aggressive cancer.

Born in 1938 in Newburgh, NY, he was the son of the late Marjorie Triscott (Ashplant) and Col. George M. Smith, USAF. Grieving his passing are Raleigh's wife of 51 years, J. Lee Smith; two sons, Cory W. Smith and Bradley M. Smith; and Brad's daughter, Heather L. Thomas.

Raleigh entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program to become a helicopter pilot. His Naval career included a tour in Vietnam where he earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (29 awards), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit citation, Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with Bronze Wings, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and Navy Commendation Medal with V/ Combat Action Devise.

He also served in Pensacola, FL, San Diego and Long Beach, CA, recruiting duty in Oklahoma, and with NATO commands in the United Kingdom and Virginia Beach. He received his B.S. degree in Science at Oklahoma City University, OK. Raleigh retired from the Navy as a commander with 29 years of service. His second career spanned 16 years as an environmental engineer in the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

His kind, generous and gentle nature combined with sports interests enabled him to make several life-long and close friendships. Raleigh also enjoyed cars, photography, guns and anything techy. He was blessed in his final days to share memories with many of these special people.

Services with full military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014 at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, 1457 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach. Internment will be at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA at a later date. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com

Burial: Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Suffolk City, Virginia, USA

Created by: Dan Arnes

Burial information: Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024