Ray L. Smith

He Became a Human Bridge to Bring His Marines Through the Wire

Ray L. Smith, a U.S. Marine Corps Navy Cross recipient, helped a patrol of South Vietnamese Marines escape through an enemy wire barrier during the 1972 Easter Offensive. His actions in the Vietnam War became the basis of the enduring 'E-tool Smith' legend, although the National Museum of the Marine Corps distinguishes his documented courage from later embellishments involving an entrenching tool.

Raised in Oklahoma and educated in Shidler, Smith attended Oklahoma State University before enlisting in the Marine Corps in December 1965. He completed Officer Candidate School in March 1967 and The Basic School that August. As a young officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, he served first as a rifle platoon commander and then took command of the company during the fighting in Hue in the 1968 Tet Offensive. His Vietnam service also included operations around Khe Sanh, Con Thien and the Rockpile.

After Vietnamese-language training, Smith returned to Vietnam as an adviser to the Vietnamese Marine Corps. During the North Vietnamese offensive of spring 1972, he served with a command group of approximately 250 Vietnamese Marines at a hilltop outpost. His Navy Cross recognized his actions from 30 March to 1 April, including leading a small patrol through an enemy position.

Navy Cross Citation Summary (Paraphrased)

Smith helped lead Vietnamese Marines through a dangerous breakout during the Easter Offensive. When a wire obstacle blocked their escape and an enemy soldier opened fire, Smith dealt with the immediate threat and lay across the wire. The Marines crossed over him to pass the barrier. Despite injuries from the wire, he brought the group back to friendly positions. His award recognized the courage and leadership he displayed while helping the men escape.

Smith continued in the Marine Corps as an infantry commander and instructor. He commanded Battalion Landing Team 2/8 during operations in Grenada and Beirut, assumed command of the 8th Marine Regiment in 1988, and became a brigadier general in 1992. Following promotion to major general in 1996, he served as deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force and took command of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in 1997.

He completed his undergraduate degree at Oklahoma State University in 1980 and later earned graduate degrees through the Naval War College and Salve Regina College. His decorations included two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with Combat V and three Purple Hearts. He retired in 1999 after nearly 34 years of service and entered the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2000.

In 2003, Smith accompanied the 1st Marine Division during its advance from Kuwait to Baghdad. With Bing West, he co-authored The March Up: Taking Baghdad with the 1st Marine Division, preserving an eyewitness account of those operations. His later work also included co-founding Sandboxx, a communications company supporting military personnel and their families.