His father had served in World War II, and young Smith said it was his turn to fight for his country when he was drafted into the Army in December 1967. The 1965 Cardinal Dougherty High School graduate had worked for a dental supply firm, had completed courses at the Electronics Training Center, and was "real thrilled" with the Army, his father recalled. The 21-year-old sergeant, a squad leader, was sent to Vietnam and assigned to Company D of the 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Smith died on March 23, 1969, without having fulfilled his greatest wish: to have Philadelphia Flyers season tickets. Survivors included his parents, a brother and two sisters.