John J. Smith

Colonel John J. Smith was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer after graduation of the Officer Candidate School Class 4-82, 30 July 1982. Colonel Smith’s first duty assignment was as Fire Direction Officer, Battery A, 2-35 FA BN, 24th IN DIV (Mech) at Fort Stewart, Georgia. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Battalion S-4, 2-35 FA, 24th IN DIV, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Group S-2 and S-3, 528th Artillery Group, Istanbul, Turkey; Battery Commander, SVC 1-14th FA, 24th IN DIV, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Battery Commander, G-333 FA (TAB), 24th IN DIV, Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM; Battalion Executive Officer, 2-4 FA (MLRS), III Corps Arty, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; CG’s Speechwriter, FA Headquarters, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Academy Professor, English Department, West Point, New York; Visiting Professor, National War College, Fort McNair, D.C.; and Faculty Mentor, National Military Academy, Afghanistan, Kabul. | Colonel Smith's military awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (5Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal (1Oak Leaf Cluster), Southwest Asia Service Medal (1Oak Leaf Cluster), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal (ISAF), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). | Colonel Smith served as Director and Editor-in-Chief, Military Review, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, after retiring.