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<p> Colonel <em>John David Smythe</em>, U.S. Army (Retired), died peacefully on May 13, 2023. He was 92—two weeks shy of his 93rd birthday and his 70th Class Reunion. He was a proud son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He adored his “young bride,” enjoyed his military career, and will be missed immensely.</p>
<p>Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Major General and Mrs. George W. (Susie) Smythe. Due to his father’s military assignments, John traveled extensively as a young boy. On December 7, 1941, he witnessed the burning of Pearl Harbor and was evacuated with his mother and brother from Schofield Barracks to a Japanese elementary school in Honolulu. From kindergarten to 12th grade, John attended nine different schools across the United States.</p>
<p>Following in the proud tradition of his father (Class of 1924) and his brother (Class of 1949), John graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1953 with a B.S. degree. He also graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City in 1963 with a M.A. in mathematics and from Airborne and Ranger schools at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), GA. He was proud of attending first grade at West Point, graduating from USMA, and serving a four-year tour as an associate professor in the Department of Earth, Space and Graphic Sciences at USMA.</p>
<p>John was commissioned an Infantry second lieutenant in 1953 and retired as a colonel in 1983. He embarked on a career in the Infantry that was extremely rewarding, varied and exciting. He was the officer-in-charge of the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery when President Eisenhower presided over the internment of the Unknown from World War II and Vice President Nixon presided over the internment of the Unknown from the Korean War. He served in Vietnam as an infantry battalion commander in the 9th Infantry Division in combat in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. A tour in the Pentagon in the office of the assistant vice chief of staff was followed by an exceptional tour back in Hawaii. His last six years in the Army were spent as the comptroller at the headquarters for First and Fifth Army. During his career, John earned the Ranger Tab, qualified for the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge, and was awarded the Silver Star, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star with “V” device.</p>
<p>His interesting and challenging assignments included participating in an ad hoc academic group that began the integration of computers into the USMA curriculum; leading a study proposing and eliminating a major headquarters (including 11 general officer slots and 1,100 civilian positions—as well as his own); conducting a study on how to stop or divert lava flow in Hawaii, leading the creation of the Army museum at Fort DeRussy, HI; participating in the nuclear clean-up of the Eniwetok Atoll; jumping out of airplanes; performing in many parades, including both inaugural parades of President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and spending countless hours doing what an infantryman does.</p>
<p>After retiring from the Army in 1983 at Fort Sam Houston, TX, he was the administrator and comptroller for law and CPA firms. After his final retirement in 1989, he and Julia moved back to the family home in Pipersville, PA, where he was happy to be a gentleman farmer, as well as a volunteer with the Pipersville Library and Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the West Point Association of Graduates, the American Legion Post 210, the Association of the U.S. Army, the Military Officers Association of America-Willow Grove Chapter (life member), and the Doylestown Presbyterian Church. </p>
<p>He was the husband of Julia Brunner Smythe. John and Julia were married in the Doylestown Presbyterian Church by Reverend Thomas S. Goslin in July 1957. John and Julia were married for 65 years, nine months, 23 days; he loved her for each and every one of those days. Although his five children were born in three different states, he was proud they were all baptized by Reverend Goslin. </p>
<p>John was brave, generous, and kind. His typical greeting was, “What may I do for you?” Until his last days, he kept up with current affairs, the stock market, and financial advice. He spoke highly of the men who supported him throughout his career and fondly of his years at West Point. In 2012, he brought his family back to West Point and dedicated a portrait of his father, which was installed in the Class of 1957 Hallway in Arvin Gym. The trip was a wonderful opportunity to revisit family history and hear amazing stories of classmates and life at West Point.</p>
<p>He was preceded in death by his parents, George W. Smythe (Norristown, PA) and Susie Smythe (Wilton, CT); his older brother, great friend, and hero, Captain George W. Smythe Jr. (USAF), who died as a result of a military aircraft accident; and his in-laws, Robert and Gloria Brunner. He is survived by his wife, Julia B. Smythe; five children: John David Jr., Charles, Carrie (and her husband, Donald), Julia (and her partner, Jeffrey), and Christopher (and his wife, Conny); nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a niece, nephews, and their children.</p>
<p>Although he was eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, next to his parents and much missed brother, it was always his wish to be laid to rest next to his beloved bride in the Fretz family plot at the Doylestown Cemetery of Doylestown, PA. </p>
<p>Be Thou at Peace, Dad. We love you.</p>
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