U.S. Army

Sergeant First Class Virgil Smith grew up in Swainsboro, GA where he began his military career in August 1986 as a Private First Class in the Army National Guard  serving as an  Engineer Equipment Operator.  He completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonardwood, MO.  Since then, Sergeant First Class Smith has served with A Company, 82^nd Engineer Battallion, 7^th Corps, Bamberg, Germany;  A Company, 326 Engineer Battalion, 101^st Air Assault Division Fort Campbell, KY;  A Company, 40^th Engineer Battalion, 1^st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany;  A, C, and HHC Companies, 317^th Engineer Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA;  HHC Company, 2^nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea;  B and HHC Companies, 91^st Engineer Battalion,  1^st Cavalry Division, and HHC Company, 2^nd Brigade, 1^st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, TX.  Sergeant First Class Smith has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, IFOR-Implementation Forces in Bosnia, and has  deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom twice.  Sergeant First Class Smith has performed duties as Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Company Operations Sergeant,Battalion Ammunition NCOIC, Battalion S2, and Brigade Land Range, and Ammunition Manager.

He also attended Basic Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Jungle Operations Training.

Sergeant First Class Smith’s awards include the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2nd oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (3rd oak leaf cluster), the Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), the National Defense Service Ribbon (1 bronze star), the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon (3 bronze stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 3),  the NATO Medal, the Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the Combat Action Badge, and the Drivers Badge (Wheel / Track).

Dad, you've always been our hero... even without the uniform.  Thank you for your 21 years of service and sacrifice.    

"Don't call me sir; I work for a living." -Virgil Smith