Leighton W. Smith
| Leighton W. Smith, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Snuffy" |
| Born |
August 20, 1939 Mobile, Alabama |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1962–1996 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held |
Allied Forces Southern Europe U.S. Naval Forces Europe IFOR |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal (29) Navy Commendation Medal (3) Navy Achievement Medal Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom) Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit (France) |
Leighton Warren Smith, Jr. (born August 20, 1939) is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy. In 1994, he became the Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Allied Forces Southern Europe, holding the commands during the height of the Yugoslav wars. He commanded the NATO enacted no-fly zone (Operation Deny Flight) over Bosnia and the later bombing campaign against Republika Srpska (Operation Deliberate Force) in 1995. The same year he additionally took on command of the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia with the objective of overseeing the peace agreement. He held all three positions until his retirement in 1996.
Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama on August 20, 1939, and graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1962 and received his wings in January 1964.
As a naval aviator, Smith flew carrier-based, A-7 Corsair II light attack jet aircraft during multiple deployments to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. These included three cruises in waters off North Vietnam where he flew over 280 combat missions, primarily in the A-7 Corsair II. Smith has held command at sea in the aviation community at squadron and wing levels as well as major commands that included a deep draft vessel, the USS Kalamazoo (AOR-6), before taking command of the aircraft carrier USS America (CV 66) and subsequent command of Carrier Group 6 in 1986 as a flag officer. He has logged over 4,200 flying hours and accumulated over 1000 carrier arrested landings.
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