David Smith

From Nebraska dust-bowl farm boy to U.S. Naval aviator, David Eugene Smith, led a very full life, dying just one month before his 100th birthday. He was happily married to the love of his life, Vivian Douglas Smith, for 76 years, residing with her in the midcentury modern Holmes Run Acres community in Falls Church Virginia.

During WWII, David enlisted in the U.S. Navy and entered Naval flight training, reaching the rank of Lt. Commander. He returned to civilian life in 1949, finishing his bachelor's of science degree in mechanical engineering at University of Michigan. He was recalled to active service in 1953 to Air Squadron VX-3.

Back to civilian life in 1954, he worked with the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer), later called Naval Air Systems Command (NavAir). Under his watchful eye, the BuAer fleet training organization ascended from Section to Division status. Working with large aircraft and engine companies, he wrote some of the aeronautical material specifications, while arranging for flight trainers, maintenance trainers and framing materials to be contracted for and delivered promptly to the U.S. Navy. David formed and became deputy director of NavAir's Ground Support Equipment Logistics management division, a three billion dollar operation for all Air Navy and Marine logistical and equipment needs worldwide. He traveled to Vietnam in 1969 with a NavAir study group to observe on-site equipment problems during this dangerous time of war.

David was one of the last remaining WWII Corsair pilots who landed on Naval aircraft carriers - both day and night - with no auto-landing instrument capability or ejection seat. The Corsair's aft cockpit and long nose made for poor visibility and hazardous landings and was hence deemed the Widow Maker. Flying off the USS Randolf, Midway, Coral Sea and Kearsarge carriers, he also piloted Hellcats, Phantoms and Banshees, bridging the aeronautical feat of propeller to jet aircraft, tail- to nose-wheel. Oftentimes there was little training between switching aircraft types: They just did it

One day at 7,000 feet, his Corsair went into an uncontrollable inverted flat-spin. He tried to crank the canopy open to jump out - but to no avail. He eventually pushed the rudder to the wall saving both the plane and thankfully himself.

David was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. In the military, he received the customary WWII and Korean War ribbons, along with 17 awards and commendations, culminating with the U.S. Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal at retirement.

When he spotted in the National Air and Space Museum a Navy Aircraft Cockpit Orientation Trainer - one of his own project designs - he decided he must be old enough to retire. In retirement, David and Vivian toured as the world's oldest roadies with their folk-singing daughters, and tinkered around beside son, Doug, on his 1953 Studebaker. He served his local community via Neighborhood Watch and HRA Civic Association, awarded

the Distinguished Citizen Award by the latter. He fixed many a neighbor's car and was loved by all. He is survived by wife, Vivian; children, Douglas, Debora Jaworek and Megan; son-in-law, Michael Jaworek; grandson, Lee; brother, Luther; and family members in Nebraska and Ohio including the Kindschers.