It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Bernard John “Bernie” “B. J.” Smith on 1 November 2024 at age 83. Rear Admiral Smith enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1959, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965, and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in July 2000 as the first commander of Navy Warfare Development Command. His other commands included Attack Squadron EIGHT SIX (VA-86), Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3), Light Attack Wing ONE, USS
San Diego (AFS-6), USS
Midway (CV-41), Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, Carrier Group FIVE, and Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. He was awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses, six individual and 36 strike/flight Air Medals, and seven Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V” in 410 combat missions during three deployments in the Vietnam War. He was also awarded a Bronze Star as chief of staff for Commander Naval Forces Central Command during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
After a year in college, Bernie Smith enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 26 August 1959. He was honorably discharged on 27 June 1961 upon gaining a fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. According to the
Lucky Bag yearbook, although he intended to become an aviator, he worked hard to qualify for command of one of the academy’s yard patrol boats. He was apparently informally known as “Beerfoam” and also earned the nickname “31-Knot B. J.” (an allusion to “31-Knot” Admiral Arleigh Burke). He was known for his cheerful attitude. In his free time, he read books of a professional nature, especially about aviation, and was recognized as a very capable leader. Smith graduated with a bachelor of science degree in naval science and was commissioned an ensign on 9 June 1965.
In June 1965, Ensign Smith reported to Naval Air Basic Training Command at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for initial flight training. In May 1966, he transferred to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Kingsville, Texas, for advanced flight training. He was designated a naval aviator on 26 October 1966. That same month he reported to VA-125 “Rough Raiders” at NAS Lemoore, California, for training in the A-4E/TA-4F Skyhawk as a fleet replacement pilot. Smith was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in December 1966.
In April 1967, Lieutenant (j.g.) Smith reported to VA-212 “Rampant Raiders” while the squadron was deployed to Vietnam embarked on attack carrier USS
Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). It was a period of intense strike operations over North Vietnam and significant losses. That May, the VA-212 skipper, Commander Homer Smith, was shot down and tortured to death by the North Vietnamese. Despite the loss of seven aircraft, VA-212 conducted numerous highly successful strike operations and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for this combat deployment.
After a quick turn, VA-212 and
Bon Homme Richard deployed again to Vietnam from January to October 1968, during the height of the Communist Tet Offensive. VA-212 flew numerous close air support missions for the U.S. Marines besieged at Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, in February and March. The squadron was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for this deployment and suffered the loss of three aircraft. Smith was promoted to lieutenant in July 1968.
Immediately upon return from deployment to NAS Lemoore in October 1968, Lieutenant Smith transferred to VA-174 “Hellrazors,” the fleet replacement squadron for the new A-7 Corsair II light attack jets at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. There, he served as an assistant weapons officer and electronic warfare training officer for pilots learning to fly the A-7A/B/E models of the Corsair II.
In January 1971, Lieutenant Smith reported to VA-105 “Gunslingers” at NAS Cecil Field, flying the A-7A Corsair II and deploying to the Mediterranean in June 1971 embarked on carrier USS
Saratoga (CV-60). (This was the first deployment for the new “CV” concept, combining attack and anti-submarine warfare capability on a single carrier.) Smith was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1971. After returning from deployment in October 1971,
Saratoga and VA-105 deployed again in April 1972, this time to the Vietnam War zone during another period of intense strike operations over North Vietnam in Operations Linebacker I and Linebacker II. These bombing operations convinced the North Vietnamese to return to negotiations, resulting in the Paris Peace Accords, which brought about the end of U.S. combat operations in Vietnam in January 1973.
Saratoga and VA-105 returned to Mayport and Cecil Field in February 1973 and were awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for this deployment.
In June 1973, Lieutenant Commander Smith attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating with distinction in 1974. In July 1974, he assumed duty as a junior officer detailer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC. In January 1977, he returned to VA-174 for refresher training in the A-7E Corsair II.
In July 1977, Smith assumed duty as executive officer of VA-86 “Sidewinders” at NAS Cecil Field, flying the A-7E. He was promoted to commander in August 1977. In December 1977, VA-86 deployed to the Mediterranean embarked on carrier USS
Nimitz (CVN-68) and returning the following July. Commander Smith assumed command of VA-86 in August 1978. In 1979, VA-86 aircraft participated in the filming of the movie
Final Countdown (starring
Nimitz and opening in 1980). VA-86 embarked on
Nimitz again in January 1980, deploying to the Mediterranean and then to the Indian Ocean. This included 144 consecutive days at sea and participation in Operation Eagle Claw, the April 1980 attempt to rescue U.S. diplomats held hostage in Iran.
In November 1979, Commander Smith reported to Commander Light Attack Wing ONE at NAS Cecil Field as chief staff officer. In October 1980, he was administratively assigned to Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic for cross training in air wing aircraft. In March 1981, he assumed command of Carrier Air Wing THREE “Battle Axe” headquartered at NAS Oceana, Virginia. The squadron deployed to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean from January to July 1982 embarked on carrier USS
John F. Kennedy (CV-67). In August 1982, he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) in Washington, DC, as head of the Strike Warfare Section in the Air Warfare Branch (OP-982). Smith was promoted to captain in October 1983.
In January 1984, Captain Smith assumed command of Light Attack Wing ONE at NAS Cecil Field, responsible for East Coast A-7 Corsair II light attack jets. In April 1985, he commenced a pre-command training track while assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel and then, in July 1985, reported to Surface Warfare Officers Schools Command in Newport, Rhode Island, for additional training.
In August 1985, Captain Smith assumed command of Norfolk-based combat stores ship
San Diego, deploying to the Mediterranean from September 1985 to February 1986, and then again to the Mediterranean in January 1987. Smith detached from
San Diego in mid-deployment and reported to OPNAV as special assistant for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters.
In February 1989, Captain Smith assumed command of carrier
Midway, part of the Forward Deployed Naval Force in Yokosuka, Japan, conducting multiple Western Pacific operations and deploying to the Indian Ocean from August to December 1989. In June 1990, Smith reported to Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka as chief of staff, embarked on command ship USS
Blue Ridge (LCC-19). In August 1990, on four days’ notice,
Blue Ridge and the embarked Seventh Fleet staff transited to Bahrain to assume duty as Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Blue Ridge and the staff returned to Yokosuka in June 1991. Smith was awarded a Bronze Star for this deployment. In May 1991, he detached and proceeded to command of Strike Fighter Wing Pacific at NAS Lemoore, responsible for West Coast F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters. Smith was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) on 1 January 1992.
In July 1993, Rear Admiral Smith assumed command of Carrier Group FIVE/Battle Force Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, embarked in carrier USS
Independence (CV-62), deploying to the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman for participation in Operation Southern Watch no-fly zone enforcement over Iraq. He also assumed additional duty from as Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force Southwest Asia located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in charge of Operation Southern Watch. In September 1994, Smith was designated a rear admiral (two-star) for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank. He was promoted to rear admiral on 1 March 1995.
In August 1995, Rear Admiral Smith assumed duty as commander of Naval Strike Warfare Center at NAS Fallon, Nevada. On 11 July 1996, he would become the first commander of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, when the Naval Strike Warfare Center, the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School were combined into a single command.
In August 1998, Smith became the first commander of the Navy Warfare Development Command in Newport. This combined the Navy Doctrine Command, Navy Tactical Support Activity, and the Maritime Battle Center into a single command. Rear Admiral Smith retired from active duty on 1 July 2000. During his career, he amassed more than 1,000 arrested carrier recoveries.
Rear Admiral Smith’s awards include the Legion of Merit (at least six awards); Distinguished Flying Cross (five awards); Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (three awards); Air Medal (six individual and 36 strike/flight awards); Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (seven awards); Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation (three awards); Meritorious Unit Commendation; Battle Efficiency Ribbon; Naval Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal (two awards); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (two awards); Vietnam Service Medal (nine campaign stars); Southwest Asia Service Medal (two campaign stars); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (seven awards); Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Citation (two awards); Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). (Although not reflected in his transcript, Rear Admiral Smith’s award as commander of Naval Warfare Development Command would have been a seventh Legion of Merit or possibly a Navy Distinguished Service Medal.)
After retiring from active duty, Rear Admiral Smith was an active member of Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, devoting his time to church and family. A funeral service/celebration of life followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be held on an as-yet-undetermined date.
With the loss of B. J. Smith, our wardroom has lost yet another of our Vietnam War heroes who answered our nation’s call and did their duty to the utmost, even in an increasingly unpopular war. At first, Bernie had little choice. During his last semester at the Naval Academy, the Operation Rolling Thunder bombing campaign had commenced over North Vietnam and he had chosen to be a pilot. He was quickly thrown into the crucible: From his first day in his first operational squadron (VA-212), he was engaged in combat, joining the squadron when it was already deployed to Yankee Station in actions that would earn a Presidential Unit Citation. It was a period of high losses (94 Navy aircraft in 1965) and militarily unsound concepts like “gradualism” and off-limits key targets, imposed from Washington, DC. Yet he performed superbly. Admiral Stan Arthur (500-plus combat missions) described him as “calm and unflappable” and an “outstanding combat pilot.” Even after two quick-turn combat deployments, Bernie chose to remain in the service, winding up deploying to Vietnam again as air combat reached a crescendo during Operations Linebacker I and Linebacker II, which finally drove an end to the war (for the United States, anyway). Smith ultimately survived 410 combat missions. The rest of his career was characterized by extensive time at sea and an extraordinary amount of time in command, frequently on the cutting edge of bringing new aircraft—first the A-7 and then the F/A-18—to full operational capability. Successful command of
Midway (during her “rock- and-roll” period of seakeeping instability) and his key role as chief of staff to Naval Forces Central Command during Desert Shield/Storm resulted in him leading commands charged with infusing real-world combat experience into Navy operations and doctrine. His career path required extraordinary sacrifice on the part of his family, for which the Navy and nation should be exceedingly grateful, for he was an officer who truly made a difference in the lives of those who served with him and in the defense of our nation.
Rest in Peace, Admiral Smith.