Newton High School Marine Corp ROTC Sherman Smith

Gunnery Sergeant
Sherman E. Smith, USMC (Ret.) Autobiography

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF GUNNERY SERGEANT SHERMAN E. SMITH, USMC (Ret)

Gunnery Sergeant Sherman Smith was born in Bedford, Va., and grew up in nearby Lynchburg. After graduating from E. C. (Edward Carter) Glass High School, he joined the Marine Corps in June 1975 taking his basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. He graduated from boot camp on 30 September.

After Boot Camp he received orders to Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California, reporting in October 1975. In November he was promoted to Private First Class and in January 1976, he made his first overseas assignment to Okinawa, Japan. In Okinawa he was assigned to Company “A”, 1^st Battalion, 4^th Marine and deployed with them aboard ships of the 7^th Fleet to the Philippines, Korea, and Australia. During his tour in the Far East, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

In January 1977, Lance Corporal Smith was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he was assigned to Company “F”, 2^nd Battalion, 6^th Marine Regiment and served as a Fire Team Leader. During this assignment his fire team was recognized during the Commanding General’s Inspection as on outstanding small unit and each member received a Meritorious Mast. The inspection was followed by a deployment with 6^th Fleet to Europe where liberty calls and amphibious landings took him to Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. In October 1979, he was promoted to the rank of corporal.

In December 1979, after his return from the deployment, Corporal Smith’s career was interrupted by life threatening car accident. He was hospitalized or under a doctors care until August 1980. At that time, Corporal Smith resumed his career and was assigned to the Navy’s Field Medical Service School at Camp Johnson. Here he served as an instructor in the training of Navy medical personnel for service with Marine Corps units. During this tour he was promoted to both Sergeant (September 1980) and Staff Sergeant (August 1983).

Staff Sergeant Smith was next assigned as the Senior Enlisted Marine for 2^nd Marine Division Education where he served until October 1984 and was responsible for the administrative procedures for those Marines seeking higher civilian education.

From November 1984 through August 1988, Staff Sergeant Smith was back in the infantry with Companies “I” and “L”, 3^rd Battalion, 8^th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During this time he served as Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant, and acting Company First Sergeant. While with 8^th Marines, Staff Sergeant Smith made several deployments aboard 6^th Fleet ships making training and liberty stops in Norway, Scotland, Greece, and Turkey.

He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in September 1990 and deployed with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2^nd Marine Division to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. Here Gunnery Sergeant Smith served as Company Gunnery Sergeant and Division Logistics Chief. Upon his return to Camp Lejeune in June 1991, Gunnery Sergeant Smith was assigned as the Staff NCOIC of the Combined Arms Staff Trainer for II MEF.

In October 1993 year, he again reported to Okinawa, Japan where was assigned as the Staff NCOIC in G-3, Tactical Readiness Training in 3^rd FSSG. Returning to the states in August 1994, he spent the final year on active duty at New River Air Station as S-3 Training and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant of Headquarters Squadron.

Gunnery Sergeant Smith retired in 1995 and took temporary employment as one of the transportation coordinators for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. After the Olympics, he applied for the position of Marine Instructor with the Newton High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC program in Covington, Georgia. He assumed the duties as Marine Instructor in October 1996 and still serves in that capacity.

Gunnery Sergeant Smith is involved in many community activities and enjoys running. During his career, he ran several marathons including the Marine Corps Marathon. Gunnery Sergeant Smith’s personal decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.