Lance L. Smith

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Lance L. Smith
Lance L Smith.jpg
General Lance L. Smith
Born (1946-09-18) September 18, 1946 (age 79)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Branch United States Air Force
Years of service1970-2008
Rank General
CommandsU.S. Joint Forces Command
NATO Supreme Allied Command for Transformation
7th Air Force
Air Force Doctrine Center
4th Fighter Wing
27th Fighter Wing
Battles / wars Vietnam War
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star (3)
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Purple Heart
Air Medal (10)

Lance L. Smith (born September 18, 1946) [1] is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation from November 10, 2005, to November 9, 2007. A highly decorated combat veteran, the general retired from active duty on January 1, 2008.

Contents

Smith entered the United States Air Force in 1970 after graduating from Virginia Tech and completing Officer Training School. He served two tours at The Pentagon and was Commandant of the NATO School at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Commandant of Air War College, and Vice Commander of Air University. He commanded two fighter wings and led two air expeditionary force deployments to Southwest Asia: AEF III and the 4th Air Expeditionary Wing. He flew more than 165 combat missions in Southeast and Southwest Asia in the A-1 Skyraider and the F-15E Strike Eagle. A command pilot, he has more than 3,000 hours in various military aircraft.

Education

Assignments

Flight information

Major awards and decorations

COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png Air Force Command Pilot Badge
USJFCOM SEAL.gif United States Joint Forces Command Badge
Emblem of Allied Command Transformation.svg Allied Command Transformation Badge
Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters
Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg "V" device, brass.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters and Valor V
Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal ribbon.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Air Medal (10 awards in total)
Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Aerial Achievement Medal ribbon.svg
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal
AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg "V" device, brass.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters and Valor V
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service star
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign ribbon.svg Air and Space Campaign Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
AF OS Short Tour Ribbon.svg
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Air Force Training Ribbon
GER Bundeswehr Honour Cross Silver ribbon.svg Bundeswehr Cross of Honor in Silver (Republic of Germany)
Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon.png Order of National Security Merit (Korea), Gugseon Medal
Cheon-Su Security Medal Ribbon.png Order of National Security Merit (Korea), Cheon-Su Medal
CAN Meritorious Service Cross (military division) ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Cross, Military Division (Canada)
SVK Commemorative Medal Min-of-Def 1st BAR.svg Commemorative Medal of the Slovak Defense Ministry of the First Degree (Slovak Republic)
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg NATO Meritorious Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal

Promotions

Promotions
InsigniaRankDate
US Air Force O10 shoulderboard rotated.svg General 87 Nov 2005
US Air Force O9 shoulderboard rotated.svg Lieutenant General 1 Jan 2002
US Air Force O8 shoulderboard rotated (1949-1994).svg Major General 1 Apr 1998
US Air Force O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg Brigadier General 1 Jul 1995
US Air Force O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg Colonel 1 Jul 1989
US Air Force O5 shoulderboard rotated.svg Lieutenant Colonel 1 Feb 1982
US Air Force O4 shoulderboard rotated.svg Major 4 Dec 1978
US Air Force O3 shoulderboard rotated.svg Captain 18 Oct 1973
US Air Force O2 shoulderboard rotated.svg First Lieutenant 11 Nov 1971
US Air Force O1 shoulderboard rotated.svg Second Lieutenant 18 May 1970

References

  1. "- S. HRG. 109-847 NOMINATIONS BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, FIRST SESSION, 109TH CONGRESS".
Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command
2003–2005
Succeeded by

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force