United States of America
Headstone shared by 49 interments, including Gary Francis Smith
Headstone shared by 39 interments, including Gary Francis Smith
U.S. Army · United States United States

Gary Francis Smith

1945 – 2001
Legion of Merit - Legionnaire
Soldier's MedalBronze Star Medal2Meritorious Service Medal4Army Commendation Medal2

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Francis Smith served the Army Retirement Services for 24 years. Gary served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War, and during the years of Gulf War. Gary was 55 years old.

How He Died
Manner Homicide
Cause Multiple traumatic injuries
Place Virginia
Biography
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, retired - Chief of Army Retirement Services.

He was commissioned from ROTC at Creighton in January 1968 and commanded a company of the 560th Signal Battalion at Vicenza. In 1970 he was a communications officer with the 546th Infantry and assistant S-3 and S-4 of the 523rd Signal Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, at Chu Lai in Vietnam.

He was aide-de-camp and training officer at Aberdeen Proving Ground, executive officer and adjutant at the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, an equal opportunity officer with the Military District of Washington, and G-1 and adjutant general of the Allied Forces Central Europe Reserve Corps at Maastricht. He came back to Washington in 1984 to the alcohol and drug policy branch at Army headquarters, and in 1988 was deputy chief of staff for personnel, administration and logistics at the Community and Family Support Center.

From 1989 until his retirement in October 1991 he ran retired and veterans' affairs and then the Army Family Support Directorate, and he had held his last post - looking after the Army's retirees - since January 1992.

He holds the Soldier's Medal, which is given for heroism not involving an enemy.
Survivors
His wife Ann and their four daughters.
Keepsakes
Arlington National Cemetery 9/11 Memorial Shared stone
Arlington National Cemetery 9/11 Memorial
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery Shared stone
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery Shared stone
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery Shared stone
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery Shared stone
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery Shared stone
The Pentagon Group Burial Marker, Section 64, Arlington National Cemetery
Gary Francis Smith
Gary Francis Smith
Service Record
U.S. Army
Army Retirement Services
1968 – 1991
Awards & Decorations 5

For service and achievement

Bronze Star Medal one oak leaf cluster ×2
Meritorious Service Medal three oak leaf clusters ×4
Army Commendation Medal one oak leaf cluster ×2
Memorials
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Line 1945
National September 11 Memorial Panel 01W · Line 3 cut as Gary F. Smith
Pentagon Group Burial Marker Panel 05W · Line 2 cut as GARY F SMITH LTC USA Ret
Also Remembered
September 11, 2001 — The Pentagon
Burial Information
Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery
Section 64
Grave 5089
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krcpgse7djrqt5fr2x5vf58f
Record added August 8, 2026 neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by neuraweb.nw
Last updated September 30, 2026

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Shadow Box
Gary Francis Smith
Lieutenant Colonel
U.S. Army
1968 - 1991
Army Retirement Services
Lieutenant Colonel
Parachutists
Legion of Merit - Legionnaire
Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal2 Meritorious Service Medal4 Army Commendation Medal2
Army Staff - Identification Badge
Badges
Army Staff - Identification Badge
Parachutists

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