Years of service 1920–1943 | Rank Captain Name Robert Smith | |
 | ||
Born 8 August 1898
Harrellsville, North Carolina ( 1898-08-08 ) Died 21 January 1943(1943-01-21) (aged 44)
near Ukiah, California Buried at Arlington National Cemetery Allegiance United States of America | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
Robert Holmes Smith (8 August 1898 – 21 January 1943) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II.
Born in Harrellsville, North Carolina, Smith graduated from the Naval Academy on 6 June 1919. After duty in various surface ships, he served with the Submarine Service for 17 years. He commanded USS Bonita (SS-165), was an instructor at the New London submarine school, a member of the Naval Academy staff, Submarine Gunnery Officer with the Bureau of Navigation, Navigation Officer in USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and Chief of Staff for Submarine Division, Atlantic Patrol Force. Following promotion to captain, he commanded USS Sperry (AS-12) in the Pacific from May 1942 to January 1943.
He was Commander of Squadron 2, Pacific Submarine Fleet, when he died in the crash of the Philippine Clipper flying boat in Northern California on 21 January 1943.
Namesake
USS Robert H. Smith (DM-23), the lead ship of her class of destroyer minelayers, was named in his honor.