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Born an “Army Brat” at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1934, while his parents were stationed at old Fort Moultrie, a nearby Army post of years past, <em>Duncan Padgett Smyly </em>lived his entire life in the military tradition. At an early age he determined to follow the military profession and was graduated with the USMA Class of 1957. His first choice upon graduation was the Air Force and pilot training.</p>
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The early pattern of his service was a typical one for pilots. At first were the various schools and flight training stations, then came instructing at flight schools followed by a tour of foreign service in Thailand and a return to Oklahoma State University at Stillwater where he obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering. Thereafter, he had a short stay at Sherman AFB, Texas, and then preparation for Vietnam where he arrived in January 1967 at Bien Hoa for duty with the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron.</p>
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This last assignment terminated in hostile death on 19 November 1967. His many letters and tape recordings during this assignment made it crystal clear to all of his family that this was his most productive, interesting, and important service.</p>
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Among citations awarded to him before and after death were the following: the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, and The Purple Heart.</p>
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A dear friend and classmate has said, Duncan Smyly, known to most of us as 'Dunc' or to me kiddingly as ‘Dining Privileges,’ Smyly’s was perhaps the closest of friendships I developed during the quest of obtaining appointments, entering, and graduating from the Military Academy.</p>
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<span lang="EN">"Within fifteen minutes after meeting Dunc, at Sullivan School in Washington, D.C., there were four things I knew this man was going to accomplish at some time during his life: go to West Point, become an Army swimmer, marry Helen Stubbs, be an Air Force pilot. For the next fifteen years, I watched him do each.</span></p>
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<span lang="EN">"Not all was easy for Dunc, for in each instance, in accomplishing these objectives there was some doubt. Reflecting back, however, the question, I’m sure, to Dunc was always to what degree of success these things would be done, rather than whether they would. Determination, stamina, and persistence were Duncan Smyly. He always enjoyed what he was doing, often, </span>I might add, to my consternation, as he used to swim the most gruelling race in intercollegiate swimming meets—the 440-yard freestyle event.</p>
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<span lang="EN">"From the times I counted Dunc’s laps as he swam his 440-yards freestyle event for Army to standing beside him as he married Helen at the Army Chemical Center in Maryland, here was a friend I enjoyed being with and one I truly respected. His thoughts and friendship will always be cherished.”</span></p>
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<span lang="EN">To his wife and family he was a devoted Officer, Husband, Father, and Son, and a Christian example to all who knew him. In the joy he received from his profession, his family, and his friends he put out his hand and "touched the face of God."</span></p>
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<em><span lang="EN">—J.</span> W. S. ’27</em></p>