The publication is reproduced in full below:
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.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 127
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