Capt. Wesley A. Smith

Captain Wesley A. Smith is a native of Kittery, Maine. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. He was subsequently commissioned as an Ensign through the Officer Candidate School in 1990.CAPT Smith’s most recent assignment was Commanding Officer CO onboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA CG 58 from October 2013 to October 2015. PHILIPPINE SEA successfully completed her training cycle and deployment to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility AOR in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where she launched 17 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles TLAM. She also completed multiple Readiness Assessments; Opposing Force OPFOR tasking in support of two Carrier Strike Groups CSG; Maintenance and Material Management 3M Certification; and a Selected Restricted Availability SRA. During CAPT Smith’s time as CO she was awarded her second consecutive Battle Effectiveness and Command Excellence Award Battle “E”, USS Arizona Memorial Trophy, Navy Unit Commendation and Retention Excellence Award.Other sea tours include: Commanding Officer of USS THE SULLIVANS DDG 68 from June 2012 to April 2013 and Commanding Officer of USS UNDERWOOD FFG 36 from January 2008 to October 2009. As CO of THE SULLIVANS CAPT Smith successfully completed a compressed training cycle; 3M Certification; SRA; and Independent Deployer Certification Exercise IDCERTEX. As CO of UNDERWOOD he successfully completed two training cycles; Board of Inspection and Survey INSURV; 3M Certification; and a Dry-Docking SRA. Additionally, UNDERWOOD received the CNO’s safety award, the 2008 CNO’s Environmental Award, and the 2009 Battle “E”. During her 2008-2009 Eastern Pacific Counter Narcotics-Terrorism Operations deployment, UNDERWOOD interdicted her first self propelled semi-submersible SPSS; seized and disrupted over 52, 000 pounds and $1.6 billion of contraband; and apprehended 39 narcotics smugglers and four human traffickers. CAPT Smith has served on eight classes of ships and completed deployments to the North Atlantic, Caribbean, South America, Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Adriatic Sea, and Eastern Pacific.Ashore, he completed a joint assignment as Theater Strategic Planner for Commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea from 2001 to 2003. He reported to OPNAV N86 in December 2009 as Weapons and Sensors Branch Head. During his tour at N86 he volunteered for an Individual Augmentee IA assignment to the Office of the Defense Representative ORDP – Pakistan as Director of J5 – Strategy, Plans and Policy from December 2010 to September 2011. Additional professional education includes: a Naval Post-Graduate School funded Master of Science Degree in Education and Training Management from Old Dominion University; United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College; Joint Forces Staff College where he earned his Joint Qualified Officer JQO designation; and a National Security Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is assigned sub-specialty designators 3150P – Education and Training Management; 6205S – Information Warfare; 6301S – Undersea Warfare; and 2000S – National Security Studies Strategic Plans.Personal awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal 2, Meritorious Service Medal 3, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal 3, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 4, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation 2, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle “E” Ribbon 4, National Defense Service Medal 2, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Expert, and the Marksmanship Ribbon Sharpshooter.Captain Smith is survived by his wife Sharlay M. Smith, his son Wesley A. Smith, Jr., daughter Ashley M. Smith, sister Dr. Tabathia Smith and niece Alexa Bratton. He is preceded in death by his father Chief Petty Officer Wesley Smith and mother Hospital Corpsman First Class Frances Haynes.In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in memory of CAPT. Wesley A. Smith to Donations in memory or in honor of Wounded Warrior Projectwww.woundedwarriorproject.org1877_832_6997