Robert H. Smith (naval officer)
Robert Holmes Smith was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II.
Born in Harrellsville, North Carolina, Smith graduated from the Naval Academy on 6 June 1919. After duty in various surface ships, he served with the Submarine Service for 17 years. He commanded, was an instructor at the New London submarine school, a member of the Naval Academy staff, Submarine Gunnery Officer with the Bureau of Navigation, Navigation Officer in, and Chief of Staff for Submarine Division, Atlantic Patrol Force. Following promotion to captain, he commanded in the Pacific from May 1942 to January 1943.
He was Commander of Squadron 2, Pacific Submarine Fleet, when he died in the crash of the Philippine Clipper flying boat in Northern California on 21 January 1943.Namesake
, the lead ship of her class of destroyer minelayers, was named in his honor.
