Colonel Charles J. Smith, Jr., USAF, Retired

Colonel Charles J. Smith, Jr., 84, of Wyomissing, PA, died April 21, 2017, in the Reading Hospital.
Colonel Smith was born on February 19, 1933, in Moore County, Glendon, North Carolina. The son of Charles J. and Mary Ethel Phillips Smith, Raleigh, N.C. In 1944 his parents moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended Garner High School, Garner, North Carolina. After graduation, he entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduation from the University, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Upon completion of pilot training in 1956, he was assigned to the 60th Troop Carrier Wing at Dreux Air Base, France where he flew the C-119 cargo aircraft. After three years in France, flying extensively in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, he was assign to the Special Air Mission Squadron at Brooks Army Air Field, (later Randolph AFB), San Antonio, Texas. While there he flew the C-47 Passenger aircraft; flying distinguished civilian guests and army VIPs to White Sands,
El Paso, Texas.

In 1960, he won the honors of being selected to be Aide de Camp to Brigadier General William M. Gross in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was assigned to the Military Advisory Assistance Group (MAAG) under the United States Embassy. During his tour of duty in Copenhagen, he was responsible for escorting distinguished military and civilian visitors during their visit. Also he was the General’s pilot, flying a special configured C-47. During his stay in Copenhagen, he meets his wife, Annelise Kuld Nielsen wife of over 51 years. They were married at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, on September 5, 1964.

He spent five years at McGuire, AFB, New Jersey where he flew the C-130 and C-141 cargo aircraft to Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia. He spent an assignment working in the 438th Military Airlift Command Post and Military Airlift Control Element. His motto was “Good is not enough it must Sparkle”.
In the summer of 1967, he was assigned the mission to re-supply the Danish Operated Station, NORD; 500 miles from the North Pole. Operating with three C-130 Aircraft from Thule Air Base, Greenland, he successfully re-supplied the station with a year’s supply of essential items. In the winter of 1967-68, he was given the task of moving gold from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to Mildenhall, England. As mission commander, he successful loaded over twenty C-141 loads of gold from Floyd Bennett Field, New York to England.

In April-May 1968, he was called upon again to airlift gold from the Bank of Canada, from Ottawa to England. Under his command, 27,255 sealed canvas bags of gold were shipped using 15 C-141 to England. One thousand eight hundred fifteen canvas bags were said to contain 726,955.329 ounces of fine gold per shipment. During the period 3 January 1969 to 21 January 1969, under his command and supervision the Airlift Control Element loaded and launched 144 airlift missions deploying 11,000 Army troops and 600 tons of cargo from Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas to European destinations without any delays throughout the entire operation. This unprecedented record contributed greatly to the success of the “Reforger” exercise. His next assignment was to Vietnam, May 1969. He was assigned to 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, whose motto was “That others may Live”. During his assignment in Vietnam, he flew the HC-130P which was used as the command control and refueling aircraft in all rescue recovery operations. He flew over 160 combat missions over hostile territory; being accredited for assisting in saving eighteen down crew-members.

Returning to the United States in May 1970, he was assigned to the Military Airlift Command at Scott, AFB, III. From 1970-July 1973, he served as a war/contingency plans officer and later as Chief of the General War Plans Division, Directorate of War Plan, Headquarters Military Airlift Command. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding leadership and devotion to development of war and contingency plans.

In 1973, he was given the honor to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. After graduation in 1974, he was assigned to the Air Staff in the Pentagon. Spending one year on the Air Staff, he moved to the Logistics Directorate Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the Pentagon. He was awarded The Legion of Merit, for his efforts which significantly enhanced the qualitative planning documents and the nation’s strategic mobility posture. He culminated a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

During his career, he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic Vietnam Campaign Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal and The Legion of Merit as well as other awards and decorations. He accumulated over eight thousand flying hours during his career.

He was a life time member of the Order of Daedalian, Serial No. 4082, Military Officers Association and the Air Force Association. He had an article published in the Daedalus Flyer (Magazine) “39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam May 1969 – May 1970”, Spring issue 2014.
After retiring from the Air Force, he joined General Battery Corporation, Reading, PA in 1976 as Director of Distribution, where he was responsible for operating six distribution centers and the delivery fleet. While at General Battery Corporation, working in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, he was instrumental in the correction of illegal shipments of used spent electric storage batteries by ocean containers to Southeast Asia. Working with the Department of Transportation, he reversed the Coventry, Kentucky proposed ordinance relating to the movement of hazardous materials by trucks through their city limits. The Inconsistency Ruling which was published in the Federal Register has become the reference document for future cases. He received numerous letters of commendation from various customers and organizations relating to the proper handling of spent batteries.

Following the purchase of General Battery Corporation by Exide Corporation; he joined the Penske Truck Leasing Organization at Green Hills, PA. as the manager of environmental regulations. Having extensive knowledge in hazardous materials and environmental regulations, he was a member of the American Trucking Association Environmental Group, Washington, DC. He retired from Penske in 1998.

He adopted Denmark as his second home. He loved the city of Copenhagen and the small fishing village of Dragor, where he spent many enjoyable days with his Danish-in-laws, his wife’s cousins, and Danish friends.

He loved watching Wyomissing Area sports, especially football and track which his son coached. On October 11, 2014, he had the honor of receiving the first veteran’s flag, which is now a tradition at Wyomissing.

He is survived by his wife Annelise Kuld; son Charles Tysor “Ty” and his wife Melissa; a sister, Mary Lou Smith of Raleigh, NC. He is predeceased by brother J.D. Smith, of Raleigh, N.C.

There will be a viewing Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. A military funeral and subsequent burial will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society, 1801 N. 11th Street, Reading, PA 19604 or McGlinn Regional Cancer Center at Reading Health System, please make checks payable to the Reading Health System Foundation and mail to the foundation at 6th Ave. and Spruce Street, West Reading, PA 19611. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com