Henry M. Smith, GMCM, USCG, Ret

With a heavy heart I am reporting the crossing of the bar of Master Chief Gunners Mate Henry Smith on Friday June 3,2005. Henry was the first Master Chief Gunners Mate in the Coast Guard. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lucille Smith of Diamondhead, MS and his five daughters ,one son, twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I never sailed with Henry, in fact he retired in 65 which was three years before I joined, but I considered him a shipmate, a fellow coastie, an individual that I was very proud to know. He loved the Guard and the people who were in it. He loved to remind me that there were no Boot camps when he joined in '39, that he crossed the railroad tracks in Gulfport, MS, took the oath and became part of the bouy tender crew there. Henry sailed in the North Atlantic and Pacific in the War and was truly an American Hero in my book. Henry had a big heart and with Lucille to keep him on the right course, they were a couple to be admired and well respected, their children are a testament to that love. We have all lost a true Coastie and I a true friend. We have all formed great friendships with those we have gone to sea or faced perils with but I am thankful that during my career I crossed paths with an man who was the definition of a Coast Guardsman. Thanks Henry, the bells have rung, your watch is over.

06/07/05 Submitted by: John Eve, LCDR, USCG, Ret john_s_eve@raytheon.com

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