CHARLES LEE SMITH was born in Memphis, TN, but both his parents passed away shortly thereafter, and he was raised by Mrs. Lucy Gregory in St. Louis, MO. "CL" showed excellent leadership qualities at an early age as senior class president at Dunbar Grade School and as Honor Society vice president and president at Vashon High School. He went on to Stowe Teacher's College, where he was elected freshman class president.

CL enlisted in the Army in September 1943 as a pre-aviation cadet and was stationed at Keesler Air Base in Mississippi. Upon receiving an appointment to West Point from the Honorable Louis E. Miller of Missouri, CL he attended the USMA preparatory course at Cornell University. He entered West Point in July 1944.

While at West Point, CL earned a special reputation for taking a sincere interest in others, having an ever-ready smile, and displaying a keen sense of humor. He was a member of the Portuguese and Weightlifting Clubs. Academic problems with mathematics resulted in his turnback to the Class of '48 (re-designated the Class of '49). He graduated into the Coast Artillery Corps, which became Air Defense Artillery.

In June 1949, CL married Ruth Elizabeth Berrien in New York City and, one year later, a daughter was born. He attended the Artillery School Advanced Officers Course in 1955 and was a battery commander at Ft Sill for one year A tour with the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan followed.

There were other assignments in Artillery, followed by a tour as Security Officer for the Area Support Command, Qui Nhon, Viet Nam, during 1965-66. CL returned from Viet Nam to serve as an Ohio National Guard advisor. In 1969, CL retired from the Army.

Following retirement, CL was president of a realty company for three years, an employee of the Department of Labor for five years, a lecturer and English professor at Bridgewater State College for six years, and a census enumerator for the Department of Commerce in 1990, the same year he married his second wife, Getty, a Brazilian citizen.

The next few years were happy and busy ones as CL introduced Geny to life in the States. Together, they made several trips to Brazil and traveled throughout South America. They also spent time in Lima, OH, and settled first in Lake Worth, FL, and, finally, in West Palm Beach, FL. In 1992, CL was diagnosed with colon cancer and the next two years were spent in radiation and chemotherapy. He fought a valiant but losing battle.

At the time of his death, CL was survived by his second wife, Geny Smith and daughter, Darie Lee Pruitt. He always will be remembered for his cheerful countenance and his concern for others. He was a pioneer who entered West Point as one of two African Americans in the Class of '49. His leadership capabilities were evident from his pre-West Point experience. He was the oldest man in the class and set a resolute example for many African Americans who followed him into the Academy.
His classmates