Armistead B. Smith, Jr. was born on March 15, 1921 in Gastonia, North Carolina. He joined the United States Navy in 1941 and graduated from flight training the following year. Assigned to Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9), Smith first served aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) during Operation Torch, then deployed to the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Essex (CV-9). He flew combat missions against a number of key targets in the theater, including Rabaul, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Truk Lagoon. After a brief return to the U.S., Smith embarked on another combat tour in the Pacific, this time with Bombing-Fighting Squadron 12 (VBF-12) on the USS Randolph (CV-15). He participated in carrier-strikes on the Japanese mainland, the invasion of Iwo Jima, and the Battle of Okinawa. Remaining in the military after the war, Smith went on to serve in command positions with Fighter Squadron 71 (VF-71), Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7), the USS Pine Island (AV-12), and Naval Air Station Miramar. He retired as a captain in 1972 and passed away in 2006.