Robert H. Smith (naval officer)

Robert Holmes Smith
Robert Holmes Smith, ca. 1920
Born (1898-08-08)8 August 1898
Harrellsville, North Carolina
Died 21 January 1943(1943-01-21) (aged 44)
near Ukiah, California
Buried 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

  • 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.

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