[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  REMEMBERING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL RICHARD EUGENE ``GENE'' 
                               SMITH, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2026

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life 
of Richard Eugene ``Gene'' Smith, Jr. of West Point, Mississippi, who 
passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 90. A man of deep faith 
and quiet courage, Gene was a decorated U.S. Air Force officer, devoted 
husband, father, and grandfather.
  Born January 17, 1935, in Marks, Mississippi, Gene grew up in Tunica 
and earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. A graduate of Mississippi 
State University, he was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC 
program in 1956 and served as a fighter pilot in the F-102 and F-105. 
On October 25, 1967, during his 33rd combat mission over North Vietnam, 
his aircraft was shot down, and he endured five and a half years as a 
prisoner of war, including time in the Hanoi Hilton. He was released 
during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973.
  Colonel Smith received two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the 
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, the Bronze Star with Valor, and 
the Air Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and later served 
as Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport and as 
National President and Chairman of the Board of the Air Force 
Association.
  Anchored by his faith in Jesus Christ, Gene was a longtime member and 
Elder Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in West Point. He loved 
golf, fishing, Mississippi State University, and, above all, time with 
his family.
  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rae Smith, and is 
survived by his wife of 22 years, Lynn Crowe Smith; his children, Kelly 
Lucas (George), Rick Smith (Pam), Stacy Kellum (Steve), Stacey Miears 
(Doug), and Erin Holland (Kevin); 11 grandchildren; and seven great-
grandchildren.

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