Senior Master Sergeant Cedric V. Smith was presented the Air Force Commendation Medal by Lieutenant General Walter Todd on his retirement after 31 years of military service on August 31, 1960.  But this was not the first time the talented musician who had rose to lead the 604^th Air Force Band as Bandmaster. [1] As a Master Sergeant, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal at an earlier point in his career.*  The military is a cross section of society, and while few civilians would believe the value the military places on musicians, the recognition SMSgt Cedric Smith received is hard evidence against that misconception.

Cedric Victor Smith was born in Illinois in 1908. [2] Cedric was married to Mary Francis Amyx, and had two sons, Richard Lee and Ronald.  His original enlistment in the U.S. Army was sometime around 1929.  The Atlanta Constitution reported he was a Sergeant and director of the 29^th Infantry Regiment’s Dance Band when they performed with “amateur radio and stage stars of Columbus” for soldiers at Fort Benning, GA on August 3, 1941. [3]

After the entry of the U.S. in the Second World War, Cedric Smith was promoted to Technical Sergeant and became exposed to the newly formed Army Air Forces.  The Dance Orchestra he led filled “engagements at the non-commissioned Officer’s Club on the post twice monthly and played for other entertainments at” Craig Field (located outside Selma, AL). [4] After the end of the war, Cedric V. Smith reenlisted as a Staff Sergeant on June 17, 1946 with the “Air Corps” as his branch. [5] He was in uniform when the Air Force became a separate military service on September 18, 1947.

By 1950, Cedric Smith had risen to the rank of Master Sergeant and was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base which would play predominantly in the final decade of his career.  He was involved in the community, and served as a membership chairman for the Trinity Baptist Church’s brotherhood committee. [6]  He was also involved in extracurricular activities on base, competing with the Maxwell Rifle Team. [7]

On March 1, 1951, while stationed overseas in Panama, tragedy struck the Smith family, when Richard Lee was killed at the age of 19. Richard was studying at the University of Illinois, when the car he was driving sideswiped a truck causing him to collide with a second truck head on.  He had planned to apply for and compete for an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. [8] This had a marked impact on Sergeant Smith and his wife Mary.  Their final resting place is with Richard in Grove Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, KY. [9]

By April 26, 1951, MSgt Smith was again performing with the 604^th Air Force Band.  “Montgomerians cordially invited to hear the 604^th Air Force Band in an open-air concert tonight at Maxwell Air Force Base….  Tonight’s program will include a novelty number narrated by MSgt Smith.” [10] The following April (April 19, 1952 to be exact), MSgt Smith was again in the Montgomery Advertiser.  “MSgt Cedric Smith, assistant leader of the 604^th Air Force Band, will lead the Maxwell band in a march from the Jefferson Davis Hotel to the city hall, where the unit will furnish music in connection with adoption of a city flag today.” [11]

In 1954, MSgt Smith returned to the “Canal Zone,” one of his two trips overseas during his tenure with the Maxwell band. [12]  On May 2, 1957, the newspapers announced a well-deserved reward for MSgt Smith’s service.  “With 28 years service in the armed forces to his credit, MSgt Cedric Smith, recently was assigned as acting leader of the 604^th Air Force Band….  Smith has been assigned to three Army bands and four Air Force bands during his service career.” [13]

MSgt Smith’s son, Ronald, decided that year to follow in his father’s footsteps, by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps.  Private First Class Ronald Smith was recognized on his graduation from Boot Camp with “the highest honor that can come to a Marine Corps recruit at Parris Island, SC.”  He was presented the American Spirit Honor Medal for “‘outstanding qualities of leadership best expressing the American spirit, honor, initiative, loyalty and high example to comrades in arms’ during his recruit training.” [14]

Major J. G. Cervell presents the American Spirit Honor Medal to Private First Class Ronald Smith as his parents, MSgt Cedric V. Smith and Mary F. Smith look on.  Photo printed in The Montgomery Advertiser, October 8, 1957.

SMSgt Smith’s retirement decoration summed up his career succinctly.  “Through his personal example of leadership he developed a highly trained organization with a high degree of efficiency, morale and spirit de corps.” [15] Sergeant Smith passed away on March 19, 1989.

*  The Army Commendation Medal was awarded to Airmen and officers of the U.S. Air Force until the establishment of the Air Force Commendation Medal on March 28, 1958.  Air Force recipients of this medal were typically denoted by an “AF” engraving in front of their Service Number.

Sources:

1. “Commendation Medals go to Col. Carson, Sgt. Smith.” The Alabama Journal.  Montgomery, AL.  2 Sep 1960.  Pg. 19
2. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

3. “Benning Soldiers Are Entertained.” The Atlanta Constitution.  Atlanta, GA.  4 Aug 1941.  Pg. 18
4. The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, AL.  14 Jun 1942.  Pg. 9
5. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
6. “Trinity Baptist Organizes Brotherhood.” Alabama Journal.  Montgomery, AL.  27 Jan 1950.  Pg. 13
7. “Johnson Named Captain of Maxwell Rifle Team.” Montgomery Advertiser.  Montgomery, AL. 18 May 1951.  Pg. 42
8. “Illinois University Student Killed.” Daily Republican-Register.  Mount Carmel, Il.  1 Mar 1951.  Pg. 6
9. Findagrave.com https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102528633/cedric-victor-smith  Accessed 17 Mar 2019.
10. “Montgomerians Are Invited To Band Concert At Maxwell.” The Montgomery Advertiser.  Montgomery, AL.  26 Apr 1951.  Pg. 22
11. “City Will Adopt New Flag Today.” The Montgomery Advertiser.  Montgomery, AL.  19 Apr 1952.  Pg. 1
12. “New Personnel Join Band Unit at Maxwell AFB.” The Montgomery Advertiser.  Montgomery, AL.  18 Apr 1954.  Pg. 18
13. “M. Sgt. Smith to Lead Maxwell AFB Band.” The Montgomery Advertiser.  Montgomery, AL.  2 May 1957.  Pg. 22
14. “Local Marine Wins Honors in Boot Camp.” The Montgomery Advertiser.  Montgomery, AL.  6 Oct 1957.  Pg. 5
15. “Commendation Medals go to Col. Carson, Sgt. Smith.” The Alabama Journal.  Montgomery, AL.  2 Sep 1960.  Pg. 19