He was Chairman of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, immediate past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and served on the Executive Committee of the Association of Naval Aviation. He was also on the National Advisory Council to the Navy League and was a member of the Board of Directors of several corporations. Smith was a supporter of the John McCain 2008 presidential campaign before the 2008 election. Smith spoke out in defense of McCain after critical comments from General Wesley Clark regarding McCain's military experience. Prior to his retirement, Smith had previously served alongside General Clark for several years during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Smith has been one of the senior signatories of the March 31, 2009 letter urging the president to maintain the policy excluding homosexuals from the armed forces. Awards and decorations References Adapted from this biography. (2003) External links Smith discusses military forces in the Balkans (to the North Atlantic Council - Brussels, 17 July 1996) 1939 births Living people United States Navy admirals United States Naval Academy alumni Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Grand Officers of the Ordre national du Mérite Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War Military personnel from Mobile, Alabama Recipients of the Air Medal Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal NATO personnel in the Bosnian War