Captain Wesley Aaron Smith

Captain Wesley A. Smith is a native of Kittery, Maine. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. He was subsequently commissioned as an Ensign through the Officer Candidate School in 1990.

CAPT Smith’s most recent assignment was Commanding Officer (CO) onboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58) from October 2013 to October 2015. PHILIPPINE SEA successfully completed her training cycle and deployment to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,

Other sea tours include: Commanding Officer of USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) from June 2012 to April 2013 and Commanding Officer of USS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36) from January 2008 to October 2009CAPT Smith has served on eight classes of ships and completed deployments to the North Atlantic, Caribbean, South America, Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Adriatic Sea, and Eastern Pacific.

Ashore, he completed a joint assignment as Theater Strategic Planner for Commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea from 2001 to 2003. He reported to OPNAV N86 in December 2009 as Weapons and Sensors Branch Head. During his tour at N86 he volunteered for an Individual Augmentee (IA) assignment to the Office of the Defense Representative (ORDP) – Pakistan as Director of J5 - Strategy, Plans and Policy from December 2010 to September 2011.

Additional professional education includes: a Naval Post-Graduate School funded Master of Science Degree in Education and Training Management from Old Dominion University; United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College; Joint Forces Staff College where he earned his Joint Qualified Officer (JQO) designation; and a National Security Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Personal awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle “E” Ribbon (4), National Defense Service Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon (Expert), and the Marksmanship Ribbon (Sharpshooter).

Captain Wesley Smith believed in taking care of his sailors, It was his life’s mission to provide Leadership, support and mentorship to assist in the development of professional sailors to become successful. Captain Smith’s accomplishments were not important to him as the success of others. He truly cared about sailors, and would go to bat for them 100% to get them on the right track to successfully accomplish what they set out to do. It has been said that he had the magic to make things happen. It wasn’t magic he believed in dedication, hard work, and doing the right thing by paying it forward through mentorship, and guidance.

Captain Smith is survived by his wife Sharlay M. Smith, his son Wesley A. Smith, Jr., daughter Ashley M. Smith, sister Dr. Tabathia Smith, niece Alexa Bratton, mother-in-law Charléy Harris, bother-in-law Harvey Harris Jr., sister-in-law Patricia Harris-Bentley, and niece Faith Bentley, and cousins that hail from Washington, California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and Georgia. He is preceded in death by his father Chief Petty Officer Wesley Smith, mother Hospital Corpsman First Class Frances Haynes, and father-in- Harvey Harris Sr.

Visitation: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Cunningham Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St. Alexandria, Va 22314 from 6-8 PM

Funeral Service: Thursday February 25, 2016

Service Time: 1:00 PM Guest need to arrive 30 min. prior to service; Fort Myer Old Post Chapel (Arlington National Cemetery) Captain Wesley Smith will be honored with full military honors.

The Smith Family would like to thank family, friends, the USS Philippine family, NAS Jacksonville, and NS Mayport Naval community, and anonymous givers for their generosity, and love as they celebrate the life of their beloved husband, brother, father, friend, and shipmate. In place of flowers the Smith family request that donations in the memory or honor of Captain Wesley A. Smith, USN be made to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org or call 1(877) 832-6997

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