Douglas Smith

Dr. Douglas Vaughn Smith, Ph.D, CDR, USN (ret.) passed away on 18 December 2024 in Middletown, RI. He was 76 years old.

Doug was born into a Navy family on 17 September, 1948. The son of Senior Chief Lawrence Raymond Smith and Grace Epley Smith, Doug was a scholar and standout high school baseball player in Maryland and entered the Naval Academy in the summer of 1966.

Upon graduation as a member of the 7th Company, Doug headed to Pensacola and earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in the P-3 community. He completed designation as Mission Commander and served in squadrons on both coasts with numerous deployments to detachments world-wide.

Non-flying assignments included serving as Executive Officer for NAVFAC Midway Island and as head of War Plans and Strategic and Long-range plans at CINCUSNAVEUR, London, England.

Following retirement, Doug continued a life of superior service to the nation. He joined the faculty at the U. S. Naval War College in Newport, and was designated Division Head for Strategy and Policy in the College of Distance Education. Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate in Military History from Florida State University and became a noted military historian and lecturer. When the Naval Postgraduate School was directed to include Joint Professional Military Education in its curriculum, Doug was selected to stand up that program in Monterey and initiated a cooperative arrangement between the War College and the Postgraduate School that continues to this day. When he retired from the War College, his superior service was honored and recognized through award of the title Professor Emeritus.

An accomplished academic, historian, and writer, Doug authored Carrier Battles: Command Decision in Harm's Way and was the editor of One Hundred Years of U.S. Navy Air Power. In recognition of his national standing as a military and naval historian, he was installed as the Historian General of the Naval Order of the United States. Additionally, he served as the Commander of the Newport Commandery of the Naval Order and was a past-Master of St. John's Masonic Lodge #1 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Doug leaves a lifetime legacy of service to the nation and to his fellow man.

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Paulette Denman Smith of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Gloria Grace Smith.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd., Portsmouth. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm in in funeral home.

Dr. Smith will be buried with his family in Cedar Hill Cemetery, 4111 Pennsylvania Ave., Suitland, MD.