Obituary of Lloyd George Smith

Lloyd G. Smith, 89, Retired Army Lt. Colonel and defense contractor employee, died March 08, 2008 at his home in Vienna, Virginia of Alzheimer's disease and cancer. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Elizabeth C. Smith, who died on February 20, 2008. He was an area resident for over 40 years. Mr. Smith was born in Yeagertown, PA, on December 25, 1918. He graduated from High School in State College, PA in 1936. After attending Penn State University, he enlisted in the Army. He was assigned to Hawaii and was at Bellows Army Air Field on December 7, 1941. In September 1943, he was recruited to serve with the Office of Strategic Services. He received the Distinguished Services Cross for rescuing nurses and crew of an airplane that had strayed off course and crash landed in Albania. He also received the Legion of Merit for missions against the German Army behind the lines in Italy. After the war, he was assigned to the White Sands Proving Ground where he worked with the fledgling US missile program. He served in the Korean War. He was assigned to the International Geophysical Year rocket range in Fort Churchill, Canada. He received an oak leaf cluster on his Legion of Merit for his work on the project. He retired from the Army in 1962. Mr. Smith worked for several Defense contractors until his retirement at age 70. He was a Life member of the Masons and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He was an avid outdoorsman, competitive shooter and gardener. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Smith, of Vienna, Virginia and a son, Hal Smith of Sterling, Virginia. Mr. Smith and his loving wife Elizabeth will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 11240 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030.