[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF COMMANDER MERLE SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise 
today in honor of the life of the late Commander Merle James Smith Jr., 
the first Black graduate of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) 
Academy in New London, CT, and the first Black officer to command a 
warship in close quarters combat. Commander Smith passed away June 16, 
2021, at the age of 76. It was an honor to know Commander Merle Smith 
and bare witness to all the incredible milestones he achieved in his 
life. He was a true patriot who always placed others before himself.
  Born in Greenville, South Carolina to retired Army Colonel Merle 
James Smith Sr. and Jacqueline T. Smith, Merle grew up in many cities 
across the United States as well as Germany and Japan. He graduated 
from Aberdeen High School in Maryland before choosing to attend the 
Coast Guard Academy in 1962 to play football under the coaching of Otto 
Graham, the former professional Cleveland Browns quarterback player.
  Graduating with a degree in marine engineering in 1966, Officer 
Smith's first assignment was to serve aboard the Minnetonka as a 
communication officer. He went on to command the Coast Guard Cutter, 
Cape Walsh, for two years before joining forces in Vietnam where he 
commanded the USCG Cutters Point Mast and Point Ellie, and made history 
serving as the first Black commanding officer in close quarters combat. 
He commanded these ships through more than eighty fire support missions 
during the successful Operation Market Time, which halted the movement 
of supplies into South Vietnam. For his heroic service, Commander Smith 
earned a Bronze star, a Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Presidential 
Unit Citation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Campaign 
Medal, among several other accolades.
  After returning from the war, Commander Smith was stationed at Coast 
Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. There, he attended George 
Washington University's School of Law where he met his wife of 47 
years, Lynda. Upon graduating with a Juris Doctor, Commander Smith 
moved back to Connecticut to resume his activities at the Academy, this 
time as a professor in Jaw. As expected, Commander Smith excelled in 
his role as a professor and gained notoriety for his ability to keep 
his students engaged. Commander Smith went on to teach for 13 years and 
after enriching the minds of thousands of cadets--Commander Smith 
retired from this role and his active duty service in 1979. Commander 
Smith's service to our nation however continued at the Coast Guard 
Reserves for nine years as Commander of the Coast Guard Reserve. 
Commander Smith simultaneously was recruited by our nation's largest 
submarine manufacturer, General Dynamic Electric Boat, to join their 
legal team. Commander Smith worked at Electric Boat for 16 years and 
made his way up to Chief Council before officially retiring in 1995. 
From beginning to end, awe inspiring is the only way to really describe 
what was Commander Smith's career and life. To memorialize all he did 
for our nation--the Coast Guard Academy announced it will rename its 
Military Officers Club in honor of him and here in D.C.--our very own 
National Museum of African American History and Culture proclaimed that 
they will set up a special exhibit in honor of Commander Smith and his 
life.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents who are as 
humble, dutiful, and distinguished as Commander Smith. While we mourn 
his passing, we can take pride in his legacy which will continue to 
echo through the United States Coast Guard community as an example to 
our future military leaders. Please keep Commander Smith's family--his 
loving wife Lynda, children Merle J. Smith III, Chelsea, and Danielle--
in your thoughts as they now carry his memory forward. I ask that the 
entire House join me in recognizing his life and service to our nation.

                          ____________________