Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Served as United States Secretary of Commerce from 1968 to 1969. Hired away from Southern Air Transport by E.L. Cord in 1928, "C.R." as he was affectionately known became General Manager of the then American Airways soon to become American Airlines. In 1934 C.R. was elevated to President and remained in that position (with the exception of his service in the Army Air Corps. during WWII) untill January 1964 when he became Chairman of the Board. During this period of time, spanning the "golden age" of aviation, C.R. played a major role in making commercial aviation into a major transportation industry. He also played major roles in the development of many famous commercial airliners, in particular the Douglas DC-3, in the mid-1930's (the first airliner capable of making money just hauling passengers) and the Boeing 707 (America's "first") commercial Jetliner. Convinced by his longtime friend and fellow Texan, President Lyndon Johnson, C.R. became Secretary of Commerce. In 1974 C.R. actually went back to serve American Airlines for another six-month stint while the company searched for a new President. C.R. Smith retired as a true "legend" amongst the thoroughbreds of commercial aviation.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Served as United States Secretary of Commerce from 1968 to 1969. Hired away from Southern Air Transport by E.L. Cord in 1928, "C.R." as he was affectionately known became General Manager of the then American Airways soon to become American Airlines. In 1934 C.R. was elevated to President and remained in that position (with the exception of his service in the Army Air Corps. during WWII) untill January 1964 when he became Chairman of the Board. During this period of time, spanning the "golden age" of aviation, C.R. played a major role in making commercial aviation into a major transportation industry. He also played major roles in the development of many famous commercial airliners, in particular the Douglas DC-3, in the mid-1930's (the first airliner capable of making money just hauling passengers) and the Boeing 707 (America's "first") commercial Jetliner. Convinced by his longtime friend and fellow Texan, President Lyndon Johnson, C.R. became Secretary of Commerce. In 1974 C.R. actually went back to serve American Airlines for another six-month stint while the company searched for a new President. C.R. Smith retired as a true "legend" amongst the thoroughbreds of commercial aviation.
Bio by: Steven Riley
Inscription
. . . . . . . . . .
CYRUS
ROWLETT
SMITH
MAJ GEN
US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
SEP 9 1899
APR 4 1990
. . . . . . . . . .
Family Members
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