John JT T. Smith IV

Services for John Thomas Smith IV (SFC ret.), 74, will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, at the Southside Church of Christ, 1505 Trimmier Road, Killeen. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Visitation will be Monday, November 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.

J.T. was born April 30, 1941 in Waco, TX to John Thomas Smith III and Vivian Bartlett Smith. He is survived by his wife Iris of Killeen. He graduated from high school in Fort Worth, TX and after one year at the University of Texas at Arlington, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in high school he was active in amateur rodeo as a bull rider. In college, he was a member of the Rodeo Team as a bull rider.

J.T. first enlisted in the United States Army in 1960 in Fort Worth, TX. He began his military career as a fixed wing aircraft mechanic but transitioned to helicopters. Duty stations included Fort Hood, TX; Bad Kreuznach, Germany; Finthen, Germany; Fort Rucker, AL; Republic of Vietnam 1965-66. He was discharged in 1966 and became an interstate truck driver until 1979. He reenlisted in the Army in 1979 in Denver, CO. Duty stations included Fort McClellan, AL; Fort Hood, TX; Republic of Korea; Fort Bragg, NC; and Manama, Bahrain where he was part of the Task Force 118 of Operation Prime Chance I in 1987-1990 and Desert Storm in 1991.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal Numeral 16; Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal w/6 Oak Leaf Clusters; Good Conduct Medal (5th Award); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 Bronze Service Star; Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Service Stars; NCO Professional Development Ribbon Numeral 3; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon Numeral 2; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Aircraft Crewman Badge; Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge; Sharpshooter Badge Rifle; Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge w/ Palm; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal First Class; National Defense Service Medal w/1 Service Star.

He retired from Active Duty at the rank of Sergeant First Class on June 1, 1993. After his retirement from the Army, he worked on Fort Hood for Dyncorp and for Lockheed as a helicopter maintenance instructor. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching Nascar racing, having his private pilot’s license and sky diving. He was also an active volunteer for several years with KCOPS and the Citizens Police Academy Alumni. He helped construct the Killeen Police Academy Training Center. He was honored as an Associate Member of the West Bell County Lodge #32 of the Fraternal Order of Police.