Phillip D. Smith

8/23/1933 - 12/2/2024
Alexandria, VA - Navy Rear Admiral Phillip D. Smith (P.D.) (Ret.), 91 of Alexandria, VA, died December 2, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.

The son of Hoke Smith and Nina Diehl Smith, he was born August 23, 1933 in Charleston, WV. Admiral Smith's formative education was at The Marshal University Lab School in Huntington, WV. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Duke University and obtained a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University.

Admiral Smith received his Navy pilot's wings in September 1957 and met his wife of 65 years, Mary Spencer Smith. He began his Naval career which took them around the world and throughout the United States.

He served aboard the USS Hancock and made two deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam. His commands include Patrol Squadron-44 in Brunswick ME, Patrol Wing-2 in Barbers Point HI, and Patrol Wings Pacific in Moffett Field, CA. A specialist in anti-submarine warfare, he accumulated 5000 flight hours in his Naval career. His final assignment, at Central Command in Tampa, FL involved directing the draw-down of military forces in the Arabian Gulf region following Operation Desert Storm. Admiral Smith retired from the Navy in July 1993, having served the country he loved for more than thirty-six years.

His military decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal (2); the Legion of Merit (2); the Meritorious Service Medal; the Navy Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster); Vietnam Service; and other awards.

Admiral Smith's post-Navy career included seven years at Lockheed Martin Corporation and in 2001 he became the president of the Association of Naval Aviation. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council and Navy League of the United States.

After retirement, "P.D." as he was referred to, traveled extensively visiting both family and friends. He attended many Naval Aviation Annual Conferences, returned many times to Brunswick, ME for his beloved P3 reunions and to Huntington, WV for the Marshall University Lab School reunions. P.D. was an avid fisherman, golfer, a genuine lover of life and a true friend to all those that he met along the way. He was a man of strong faith and gave much of his time to his local Heritage Presbyterian church where he served as a Church Elder, Sunday school teacher and mentor. In good times and bad P.D.'s sense of humor and his ability to laugh at himself was his most endearing quality. Of all his accomplishments both academically and militarily he was most proud of his family who will miss him dearly and will think of him often.

He is survived by his wife Mary Evelyn Spencer of Milton, Florida; daughters E. Madeline Toolan (Robert) and Drucilla D. Harrison (Cam) and son Phillip D. Smith, Jr.; grandchildren, Lauren Spivey Smith (Brad), Rachael G. Gualtiere (Tim) and Conor P. Toolan; and great-grandchild, Maeve Evelyn Gualtieri. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Dr. James Robert Spencer and his cousin, William Smith (Marty).

The funeral will be held at Heritage Presbyterian Church, Alexandria VA, Saturday, December 14, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to: Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum, 179 Admiral Fitch Ave., Brunswick, Me 04011 (BNAMuseum.org) and Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Rd., Alexandria, VA 22308 (office@heritagechurchva.org).

No Services at this time. Burial with honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled at a future date.