CAPTAIN, US ARMY
PERSIAN GULF, IRAQ
PURPLE HEART
As Kevin was growing up, no one never imagined he would attend college at West Point and become an army officer. The quiet boy grew like a weed, and soccer coaches recruited him to play goalie because of his height. He grew to be 6 feet 4 inches tall. While attending Brandon High School, he became a disciplined player. Clifford Smith spent hours with his son on the field, videotaping his moves so Kevin could critique his work. Ultimately, Kevin became the goalkeeper for Florida's team in the U.S. Junior Olympics. He attended Lynn University in Boca Raton for one year on a soccer scholarship, then abruptly changed course and decided to go to West Point. When he returned home after graduating from West Point in 2002, he was different. The quiet teen had become a man of conviction. He totally turned inside out. When he went to Iraq, he was eager to serve. He had been in Iraq for about six months and had less than six weeks before the end of his tour of duty. "Forty days and counting," Kevin Smith said in an e-mail received by his father. They were all counting the days. After he was hit, his last words were 'Look after my men.' Springfield, Ohio State Route 334 was renamed Capt. Kevin Smith Memorial Highway. He was 28.
Army
1st Battalion,
76th Field Artillery,
4th Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division,
Fort Stewart, Georgia.
CAPTAIN, US ARMY
PERSIAN GULF, IRAQ
PURPLE HEART
As Kevin was growing up, no one never imagined he would attend college at West Point and become an army officer. The quiet boy grew like a weed, and soccer coaches recruited him to play goalie because of his height. He grew to be 6 feet 4 inches tall. While attending Brandon High School, he became a disciplined player. Clifford Smith spent hours with his son on the field, videotaping his moves so Kevin could critique his work. Ultimately, Kevin became the goalkeeper for Florida's team in the U.S. Junior Olympics. He attended Lynn University in Boca Raton for one year on a soccer scholarship, then abruptly changed course and decided to go to West Point. When he returned home after graduating from West Point in 2002, he was different. The quiet teen had become a man of conviction. He totally turned inside out. When he went to Iraq, he was eager to serve. He had been in Iraq for about six months and had less than six weeks before the end of his tour of duty. "Forty days and counting," Kevin Smith said in an e-mail received by his father. They were all counting the days. After he was hit, his last words were 'Look after my men.' Springfield, Ohio State Route 334 was renamed Capt. Kevin Smith Memorial Highway. He was 28.
Army
1st Battalion,
76th Field Artillery,
4th Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division,
Fort Stewart, Georgia.
