John D. Smythe
NASHUA - Colonel John D. Smythe, U.S. Army (retired) most recently of The Huntington, Nashua, New Hampshire, died peacefully on May 13, 2023. He was 92 - two weeks shy of his 93rd birthday. He was a proud son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He adored his ‘young bride’, enjoyed his military career, and will be missed immensely.
He was the husband of Julia Brunner Smythe. John and Julia were married in the Doylestown Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Thomas S. Goslin in July 1957.
Born in Washington D.C., he was the son of the late Major General and Mrs. George W. Smythe. Due to his father’s military assignments, he traveled extensively as a young boy. On December 7, 1941, he witnessed the burning of Pearl Harbor and was evacuated with his mother and brother from Schofield Barracks to a Japanese elementary school in Honolulu. From Kindergarten to 12th grade, John attended nine different schools across the United States.
John graduated from the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point in 1953 with a B.S. Degree; from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City in 1963 with a M.A. in Mathematics; and from Airborne and Ranger School at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia. He was proud of attending first grade at West Point, graduating from USMA, and his four year tour as an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Space and Graphic Sciences at USMA.
John was commissioned a 2d Lt. Infantry in 1953 and retired as a Colonel in 1983. He embarked on a career in the Infantry that was extremely rewarding, varied and exciting. He was the officer-incharge of the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery when President Eisenhower presided over the internment of the Unknown from World War II and Vice-president Nixon presided over the internment of the Unknown from the Korean War. He served in Vietnam as an Infantry Battalion Commander in the 9th Infantry Division in combat in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. A tour in the Pentagon in the office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff was followed by a exceptional tour back in Hawaii. His last six years in the Army were spent as the Comptroller at HQ’S 1st and 5th Army. During his career, John earned the RANGER Tab, qualified for the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge and was awarded medals to include the Silver Star, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with V Device.
His interesting and challenging assignments included participating in an ad hoc academic group that began the integration of computers into the USMA Curriculum; leading a study proposing and eliminating a major HQ’S including eleven general officer slots, 1100 civilian positions and as well as his own; conducting a study on how to stop/divert the lava flow in Hawaii; leading the creation of the Army Museum at Ft. Derussey; participating in the nuclear clean-up of Eniwetok Atol; jumping out of airplanes; performing in many parades - including both Inauguration Parades of President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and spending countless hours doing what an Infantryman does.
After retiring from the Army in 1983 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he was the Administrator and Comptroller for law and CPA firms. After his final retirement in 1989, he and Julia moved back to the family home in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, where he was happy to be a Gentleman Farmer, volunteer with the Pipersville Library, and Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Association of Graduates US Military Academy, the American Legion Post 210, the Association of the US Army, a Life
Member of The Military Officers Association of America - Willow Grove Chapter, and the Doylestown Presbyterian Church.
In spite of being born in three different states, his five children were all baptized by the Rev.
Goslen. He was proceeded in death by his parents George W. Smythe (Norristown, PA) and Susie Smythe (Wilton, CT). His older brother, great friend and his hero, Capt. George W. Smythe jr (USAF) proceeded him in death as a result of a military aircraft accident. Also proceeded in death by in-laws Robert and Gloria Brunner. He is survived by his wife, Julia B. Smythe, five children: John David jr. (Chelmsord, MA), Charles (Pipersville, PA), Carrie (husband Donald, Chelmsford, MA), Julia (Jeffrey, Standish, ME), and Christopher (wife Conny, Holly Springs, NC); nine grandchildren, six greatgrandchildren, a niece, nephews, and their children.
Internment in the Fretz Plot at the Doylestown Cemetery (Pennsyslvannia) will be private. Memorial service details will be provided at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pipersville Free Library, PO Box 122, Pipersville, PA, 18947