ELEFTHERIOS SMIRNIOTOPOULOS

SMIRNIOTOPOULOS Eleftherios Smirniotopoulos Lt. Colonel Eleftherios D. Smirniotopoulos, a combat veteran of the Second World War, died peacefully at his home in Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday, December 25, 2016. He was 100 years old. Colonel Smirniotopoulos is survived by his wife of 66 years, Panayiota Athanasiadou Smirniotopoulos, M.D.; three sons, James, Thomas and Peter; their wives Frances, Dorothy and Lauren; and a daughter, Donna and her former husband, Gregory Paul. In addition to his children, Colonel Smirniotopoulos is survived by nine loving grandchildren, Amalea, James, John, Margot, Casey, Nicholas, Thanasi, Iliana and Peter Eleftherios; and by a beloved great grandson, James Joseph Smirniotopoulos. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Maro; nephews Dimitri and Savvas; nieces, Amalia daughter, of George, Amalia daughter of Nicholas, and Domna, and many godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings who died in childhood, and three brothers, Nicholas, Theodore and George. Colonel Smirniotopoulos was born on December 15, 1916 in the village of Mystras, Greece. Recruited as a young law student to join the Royal Hellenic Air Force, Colonel Smirniotopoulos graduated from the Air Force Academy at the top of his class. He met his future wife, Panayiota Athanasiadou in 1939 in her hometown of Thessaloniki. During the Italian invasion of Greece in 1940 (Greco-Italian War), Colonel Smirniotopoulos participated in the air defense of Thessaloniki. Flying Polish PZLs, Colonel Smirniotopoulos recorded two "kills" during this conflict, and is credited with an additional "kill" in the former Yugoslavia also during the Italian invasion. After German forces invaded, disbanding the military, Colonel Smirniotopoulos was recruited by British intelligence (MI5) and escaped occupied Greece to join the Royal Air Force in North Africa. As a lieutenant in the 335th Greek Squadron, Smirniotopoulos flew Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes, participating in the decisive battle of El Alamein against Rommel's forces and in the siege of Tobruk.Colonel Smirniotopoulos was also one of two Greek fighter pilots selected to participate in a secret mission to take out German guns on the island of Leros. After the Allied victory, Colonel Smirniotopoulos returned to his homeland, which by that time was embroiled in a bitter civil war, pitting communist insurgents against royalists and the military. As an active duty Air Force officer, Lieutenant Smirniotopoulos was targeted by communist fighters in a grenade launch, receiving shrapnel wounds, and subsequently losing an eye, and his ability to fly, in 1947. Torn apart by war, Colonel Smirniotopoulos was reunited with his beloved Panayiota at this time. Colonel Smirniotopoulos's wounds led to his medical transfer to the United States for treatment. Panayiota joined him in 1950, and they settled in the Washington, DC area, where they raised four children, first living in Southeast Washington, then Oxon Hill, Maryland, and finally in 1977 moving to their home in Alexandria, close to the estate of George Washington at Mount Vernon. Colonel Smirniotopoulos took great pride in his proximity to the father of our country and though a Greek national throughout his life, considered himself a patriotic American. During his medical leave from the Greek Air Force, Colonel Smirniotopoulos was employed as the Secretary to the Air Attaché at the Embassy of Greece starting in 1950 until his retirement in 1981. He remained an active duty member of the Greek Air Force until his death. His considerable military accomplishments notwithstanding, Colonel Smirniotopoulos, known affectionately as Lefteris, was a devoted husband, dedicated father, and loving grandfather and great-grandfather. As skilled at jiggling cranky infants as he was flying Spitfires, Lefteris derived his greatest pleasure when surrounded by family in the comfort of his home overlooking the Potomac, drinking a glass of wine, and regaling his loved ones with colorful stories. He could declaim Homer, discuss philosophy or crack wise with equal vigor. Lefteris, known as "Pappou" to his grandchildren, was beloved by all who knew him because of the tremendous vitality of his spirit, the generosity of his heart, and the eternal twinkle in his eye. He will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, Falls Church, Virginia or Pantanassa Monastery, Mystras, Greece. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be planned for a later date.A memorial service and celebration of his life will be planned for a later date.