Gentlemen,
It is my sad duty to inform you that on 28 November 2023, Golden Eagle Emeritus ADM Leighton W. “Snuffy” Smith Jr., USN (Ret), made his Last Take Off. Snuffy was born on 20 August 1939, in Mobile, Alabama, the son of an Alabama farmer and small businessman. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) on 30 June 1958 by way of a year at the University of Alabama. The Lucky Bag, USNA’s yearbook, described him as hard working with the capacity for “always keeping his sunny side up,” and, as a “gentleman in every sense of the word.” His strength of character, work ethic, and leadership skills learned in his youth served him well and he graduated on 6 June 1962 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Science and was commissioned an Ensign.
Snuffy met his future wife Dorothy (“Dottie”) during a Plebe-year tour of the Museum at the Naval Academy, where Dottie was serving as a volunteer docent. Dottie, the daughter of CAPT Harry McDowell, USNR (Ret), and Adeline McDowell, then of Columbia, SC, having previously lived in Annapolis during her father’s service, was visiting family friends when they met. A Midshipman-career courtship led to Dottie and Snuffy marrying after his graduation in 1962. Together they raised a resilient family, including son Leighton III, and daughters Page and Dorothy (DeeDee).
Snuffy served briefly on the landing craft repair ship USS Krishna at Naval Base Little Creek, VA, while awaiting an aviation training quota. He reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, in August 1962 for pre-flight and primary training, then jet training at NAS Kingsville, TX, and his Wings of Gold on 31 January 1964. In February 1964, Snuffy was assigned to the Naval Air Technical Training Center, NAS Glynco, Georgia, as an air intercept control instructor, where he flew the FJ-4 Fury. In January 1965, he reported to VA-44 Hornets as a fleet replacement pilot, flying the A-4E Skyhawk at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. In August 1965, he was assigned to VA-81 Sunliners flying the A-4E just as VA-81 deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Forrestal.
As soon as Snuffy returned from deployment in April 1966 he was reassigned to VA-22 Fighting Redcocks, flying the A-4C. He deployed to the Vietnam War with CVW-2 aboard USS Coral Sea from July 1966 to February 1967. Upon return, VA-22 quickly redeployed to Vietnam aboard USS Ranger from September 1967 to May 1968. During these two combat deployments, VA-22 flew numerous missions against a wide range of targets in the face of increasingly effective North Vietnamese air defenses.
In July 1968, Snuffy reported to Naval Plant Representative Office (NAVPRO), Dallas, Texas, serving as Director of Flight Testing and Production Test Pilot for multiple versions of the A-7C/D/E Corsair II. In August 1970, he underwent refresher training in the A-7E with the VA-174 Hellrazors, and in December was assigned to the VA-82 Marauders, serving as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer. Just before deployment, unexpected A-7E engine problems forced the squadron to re-equip with the A-7C. Onboard USS America, VA-82 commenced a ten-month deployment in June 1972. America and CVW-9 team flew numerous combat missions during Operation Linebacker I from July until October and again during Operation Linebacker II from December 1972 until January 1973, when the “Peace Accord” ceasefire went into effect in February.
In early October, CVW-9 was tasked to attack the key Thanh Hoa “Dragon’s Jaw” Bridge, which had absorbed hundreds of bombs from over 850 sorties and a cost of 11 aircraft, only to be quickly repaired each time. Snuffy analyzed the bridge, its formidable defenses, and planned the mission, which involved a large diversionary strike on a nearby rail yard, flak suppression strikes, and four strike aircraft. Snuffy and his wingman each carried a new 2,000-lb.Walleye II TV-guided bombs with extended range data link (ER/DL) and a 1,000-lb. bomb on the opposite wing to be dropped on AAA batteries on egress from target. The second section of A-7Cs each carried Mk-84 2,000-lb. bombs. The sections split and attacked from different directions with a planned simultaneous weapons time-on-target (TOT) on key aimpoints. When the smoke cleared, the bridge was down for the duration of the war. At long last, after seven years, 871 sorties, a tremendous expenditure in lives, 11 lost aircraft, and a bewildering array of expended munitions, the Dragon’s Jaw was finally broken. The four pilots were each recommended for the Silver Star, which was downgraded to a Distinguished Flying Cross, Snuffy’s second for this deployment. America and CVW-9 were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation upon their return.
In June 1973, Snuffy attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, graduating in June 1974 and concurrently earning a Master of Science in Psychology from Troy State University. He returned to the cockpit in July 1974 as a fleet replacement pilot with VA-174 and in February 1975, assumed duty as Executive Officer of VA-86 Sidewinders flying the A-7E Corsair II, for the first deployments of the new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the North Atlantic in July-September 1975 and a Mediterranean deployment from July 1976 until February 1977. Snuffy assumed command of VA-82 in April 1976.
He assumed command of CVW-15 in November 1977 and CVW-15 conducted flight operations aboard USS Coral Sea and USS Kitty Hawk. In November 1978, Snuffy was assigned to the Navy Military Personnel Command (NMPC) in Washington D.C. as Assistant Head, Aviation Commander Assignment Branch. In February 1980, he assumed command of Light Attack Wing One at NAS Cecil Field.
In January 1982, Snuffy assumed command of the replenishment ship USS Kalamazoo during a deployment to the Mediterranean and West Africa. Kalamazoo returned in April 1982 and deployed again to the Mediterranean from November 1982 until April 1983. In July 1983, Snuffy was assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as Assistant Chief of Staff Training and Readiness.
In January 1984, Snuffy assumed command of USS America, deploying to the Caribbean and then the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal from April to November 1984. In July 1985 he was hand-picked to serve as a Senior Fellow on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group in Newport, Rhode Island. In May 1986 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington D.C. as Director, Tactical Readiness Division and promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half) on 1 September 1987.
In December 1987, Snuffy assumed command of Carrier Group Six, homeported in Mayport, Florida and command of the USS Forrestal Battle Group, deploying to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and North Arabian Sea from April to October 1988. In August 1989, he reported to Headquarters, U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany as Director of Operations during a particularly momentous time with the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, operations in the Mediterranean and northern Iraq as part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and Operation Provide Comfort relief operations for Kurds in northern Iraq displaced by Saddam Hussein’s attacks. He was next assigned to the Office of the CNO as Director of Plans, Policy, and Operations where he led the formulation of post-Cold War Navy strategy “… From the Sea,” which stressed the need to transition from traditional blue-water counter Soviet operations toward increased support of inland operations. In April 1994, Snuffy became the Commander-in-Chief Naval Forces Europe and Commander-in-Chief (NATO) Allied Forces Southern Europe, headquartered in London and Naples. He inherited NATO’s response to the intractable conflicts in the Balkans resulting from the break-up of the former Communist Yugoslavia. NATO had imposed a no-fly zone over Bosnia in April 1993 (Operation Deny Flight) resulting in the first combat engagement in NATO history in February 1994. More than a year and half of difficult combat and high stakes international and domestic political activity followed with large strikes, hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers held hostage, a four-month truce, renewed combat, and the Bosnian Serb massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim civilian men and boys. In late 1995 the "Dayton Accords" brought an uneasy peace to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Key elements were the successes of Operation Deliberate Force and subsequent deployment of the NATO Implementation Force, both planned and led by Snuffy. These actions put a stop to the worst “ethnic cleansing” in Europe since the end of WW II, and the basic truce structure has remained intact ever since, making Snuffy’s tenure one of the most consequential of the post-Cold War period. Snuffy retired on 1 October 1996.
Snuffy served for more than 34 years, making 1,035 carrier arrested landings, and flying 4,225 flight hours. He flew 282 combat missions during three Vietnam War combat deployments, and commanded VA-86, CVW-15, LATWING One, USS Kalamazoo, USS America, and CARGRU-6. He was CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCAFSOUTH, and COMIFOR, leading NATO’s first combat operations since its creation following WW II. Snuffy’s awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Distinguished Flying Cross (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (29, four individual and 25 strike/flight), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (three awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V.” His impact on post-Cold War Navy strategy “From the Sea” was particularly noteworthy and fortuitous with its early implementation in NATO’s Balkans campaigns, and it drove much Navy capability and operations during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was personally knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. His foreign awards include the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (Military), Grand Cross, and the French Order of National Merit, Grand Officer. Snuffy was a skilled aviator, tactician, and strategist but his primary gift was for leadership, most often exhibited through his obvious joy in the art of conversation. Whether trading friendly wagers on the golf course or meeting with young Sailors and their families, Snuffy understood the importance of investing in the people he worked with and “played” alongside. No observer could miss the obvious joy he took in stepping onto a Quarterdeck and taking the time to greet even the most junior Sailor, query them on their assignment, hometown, and family. He never neglected his most critical responsibility; to safeguard the men and women entrusted to his command. That “mission and people focus” was evident throughout his life, from commitment to family, friends, community, and Nation.
Post-retirement from his Navy career, Snuffy and Dottie finally found a home harbor in Pinehurst, NC. They moved there in 2000, arriving along with the largest snowstorm in its history. He embraced “local life” by totally immersing himself in supporting the community. “He was an avid golfer and a member of several golf groups.” Area residents and friends had a wonderful time playing with him, joking with him, and beating him occasionally. Snuffy provided critical counsel and support to many young men and women in the Pinehurst, NC, area who were seeking career advice and admittance to the service Academies, with an admitted bias towards USNA. Snuffy served as a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Naval Analysis, was President of Leighton Smith Associates, and Vice President of Global Perspectives Inc., both international consulting firms. He served on the boards of several major corporations, was Chairman of both the Naval Academy Association Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. He was on the National Advisory Council to the Navy League and in 2004, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Naval Academy Board of Visitors. He was named “Tailhooker of the Year” in 1997, and a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval Academy in 2007.
Snuffy is preceded in death by his parents Leighton and Sara Smith and sister Jean Smith Brown, of Purcellville, VA. He is survived by his spouse Dottie, son Leighton Smith III (Marissa) of Mount Pleasant, SC, daughters Page Lewis (Llewellyn) of Whispering Pines, NC, and CAPT DeeDee Smith, USN, of Annapolis, MD. The family includes five grandchildren: Taylor and Chase Smith, as well as David, Andrew, and Morgan Lewis. He is also survived by sisters Page Smith of Washington, D.C., and Lucille Smith Albritton (Hal) of Birmingham AL.
Snuffy will be remembered and his life celebrated at a Memorial Service on Saturday 9 December 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines, NC with a Celebration of Life to follow at 5:00 p.m. at the Pinewild Country Club in Pinehurst, NC. A formal military Funeral service and committal will occur at the Chapel of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, possibly in April 2024, when he will be buried alongside friends, colleagues, and heroes in the Naval Academy Cemetery. Details will be provided when available. The family encourages memorial gifts to The Gary Sinise Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation:
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org
https://www.michaeljfox.org
He will be missed.
In sadness,
Keith Stalder
Pilot |
