Parents Father: SMITH, Walter Frank Mother: SCOTT, Estella Louise Birth Born on September 12, 1919 in Danvers, Essex Co., MA Death Died on February 18, 2016 in Bangor, Penobscot Co., ME Buried in Maine Mount Vernon Road Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Kennebec Co., ME Marriages SUYDAM, Beatrice Ney (Peace) Married on January 07, 1946 in Skowhegan, Somerset Co., ME Notes Military Service: WW2 US Army Air Corps/ Maine National Guard Major Obituary: KOWHEGAN - Robert Vinal Smith, Retired U.S. Army, passed away on Feb. 18, 2016, after a short stay at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor. Bob was born on September 12, 1919, the son of Walter F. Smith and Estella Scott Smith. He grew up on Smith's Jersey Farm on the Waterville Road in Skowhegan (now part of Sappi) with his sister Elizabeth (Betty). He attended the one-room schoolhouse on the Waterville Road and graduated from Skowhegan High School/ Bloomfield Academy at the age of 16 in 1936, where he also lettered in basketball. Between 1936 and 1942, Bob was responsible for the operations of Smith's Jersey Farm, and the dairy operations. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in August of 1942, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army Air Corps in December of 1943. He was assigned to the 7th Air Force in the Central Pacific area as a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator in the 30th Bomb Group, 392nd Squadron, where he completed over 40 combat missions, including a multitude of missions over Iwo Jima.1st Lt. Smith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. Bob was discharged from active duty in October of 1945. Returning home, he continued the dairy operations of the Smith's Jersey Farm delivering dairy products to homes and businesses in Skowhegan and surrounding areas. On the 7th of January, 1946, he married Beatrice Ney Suydam of Skowhegan. Lt Smith joined the Maine Army National Guard in September of 1949 and served in multiple commands and several positions until February of 1974, when he retired from active service as a Major. Bob managed the Endicott Johnson Shoe Store in Skowhegan, the shoe department of the Skowhegan W.T. Grant Store, and worked at the Agway Store in Skowhegan until his late 70s. He always enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially on Brassaua Lake, his favorite spot. Major Smith was predeceased by his wife, Beatrice (Bea); his parents; sister Elizabeth (Betty) White, and brother-law Chester (Chet) White; his four brothers-in-law and their wives, Chester, Gordon, Harold, and William (Willie) Pearce. He is survived by his stepson Major Richard M. Suydam, Retired US Army, and daughter-in-law Michele E. Suydam of Ellsworth; two grandsons, Senior Chief Petty Officer Richard Michael Suydam Retired USCG, and wife Sandra of Alaska, and Capt. Shaun Robert Suydam and wife Laurie of Maine and Florida. Also surviving are two nieces, Sandra (White) Pierce and her sister Judy, both of Canaan, N.H.; and numerous other nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Redington Fairview General Hospital and the staff of the Bangor Maine Veterans Home for Robert's care and comfort in his final days. Services will be held in the summer at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. (Central Maine Newspapers 3/2/2016) Occupation: Dairy Farmer/ Manager - Retail Shoe Store Sources Newspaper Obituary: Central Maine Newspapers Obituary March 2,2016