Honoring Lieutenant Junior Grade Kent Campbell Smith | 13 Year Navy Veteran | Miramar National Cemetery
Lieutenant Kent Campbell Smith’s Military Honors were rendered at Miramar National Cemetery in December 2022 after his passing in September of that year.
Kent Campbell Smith
September 11, 1945 - September 6, 2022
VIETNAM | US 1968-1981
Kent Campbell Smith was a proud veteran and patriotic individual who dedicated his life to serving his country and community. Despite being injured during his time in the Navy, he went on to lead a fulfilling career in public service, where he served as a Executive Director of a non-profit organization, a management consultant, chaplain, and Protestant minister. He will be remembered as a devoted family man, who loved spending time in the outdoors and was actively involved in various organizations and churches. He lived a full and meaningful life and will be deeply missed by friends and family.
Obituary for Kent Campbell Smith
Kent Campbell Smith passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at the age of 76, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Martha Smith, his children Monica Karunakaran, Earlene Camarillo, and Vanessa Smith, his grandson Oliver Karunakaran, and his siblings Sheridan Wilson and Zachary Smith.
Born on September 11, 1945 in Oakland, CA to Alden and Lelia Smith, Kent was a devoted patriot who dedicated his life to his family and to the service of his communities. Martha and Kent met in the Bay Area and celebrated 40 years of marriage on May 29, 2022. A proud father and family man, Kent spent much of his life keeping up with his daughters during their school years and traveling with his family. Always supportive of their endeavors, he was a regular chaperone for school field trips and rarely missed a tennis match, even the far away games. He loved spending time hiking and camping in the Sierras, Yosemite and Joshua Tree National Parks, collecting photographs and rocks, and engaging in philosophical discussions. He enjoyed revisiting his extensive book collection, including his particular favorites: Plato’s The Republic, the Bible, and works by Jack London, Shakespeare, and John Muir.
Kent’s first career position was as a line officer aboard the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise (CVA(N)–65) in 1968. As a Lieutenant in the Navy, Kent was fortunate to survive a terrible disaster at sea during his time on the Enterprise but was left with substantial injuries due to residual effects of the accident. After nearly 3 years of active duty, he continued serving in the Navy Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1981.
In spite of physical limitations, Kent went on to lead a fulfilling career in public service. He received a Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State University, Hayward and a Master’s in Divinity from the American Baptist Seminary of the West - Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. Kent was Executive Director of a nonprofit setting up juvenile group homes and halfway houses for adults as alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenses and minor crimes. He also served as a Management Consultant, Chaplain, and Protestant Minister, providing advice and spiritual guidance to his community. His public service continued in recent years through active involvement with Paralyzed Veterans of America, San Diego Veterans Coalition, Military Officers Association of America, the Democratic Party, and Unitarian and Congregational churches.
Kent will be remembered as a strong-willed, thoughtful person who loved his family, loved the outdoors, and exemplified meaningful community membership.
A public Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 10 am.
First Congregational Church of Escondido
1800 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026
Kent will be buried at a private ceremony at Miramar National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to one of the following charities that were close to Kent’s heart:
Yosemite Conservancy
Sierra Club
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Retrieved from Alhiser-Comer.com
Location: SECTION 17, SITE 758
Date of internment: December 28th, 2022
( photos continued)
Martha Smith, Kent’s wife, wrote this on Sep 12, 2022
My husband Kent passed away peacefully on September 6, 2022, at the age of 76. The public is invited to a Celebration of Life.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 @ 10am
First Congregational Church Escondido
1800 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026
Reception will follow at the end of the service. All are welcome to attend. The family requests masks be worn by attendees.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities that were close to Kent’s heart:
Yosemite Conservancy
Sierra Club
Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaHis obituary is posted on the mortuary website: www.alhiser-comer.com
Continue to Honor Their Life
While saying goodbye to a loved one can be a difficult and emotional experience, it helps to honor their life and remember how they impacted their family, friends, and country. When a Veteran passes on, we know that their legacy lives on in the lives of those who saw their selfless acts and learned that there are some things that are more important than your own life.
We want to walk with you through the process of planning for death. If you are a Veteran, we can help you put a plan into place for your funeral and your family’s future. If you are a survivor and need help planning for a Veteran’s arrangements, our professionals on staff would appreciate the chance to serve you as you walk this grief journey.
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History of USS Enterprise in 1968-1970
Enterprise sailed on her third WestPac deployment on 3 January 1968. Assigned to CVW-9, embarking on 28 December, were 85 aircraft: 26 Phantom IIs, 26 Skyhawks, six Vigilantes, 15 Intruders, five Skywarriors, four Hawkeyes and three Seasprites. On board as guests were AirPac and ComCarDiv-7. On the 7th, Commander, Fleet Air, Hawaii, arrived on board, the ship entering the Hawaiian Operations Area the next day.
USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) 15 January 1969. Fire and munition explosions. USS ROGERS (DD 876) helping contain the fire. U.S. Navy photo
USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) suffers an ordnance accident resulting in fire and explosions while operating off Hawaii. Fifteen aircraft were destroyed and 17 were damaged. The ship suffered $56. 2 million in damages; aircraft losses totaled over $70 million. 28 killed, 343 injured. 15 January 1969.
On 14 January 1969, USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) suffered a catastrophic ordnance accident in January 1969. The incident occurred while the ship was operating off Hawaii and was caused by the accidental ignition of four 5-inch ZUNI rockets hanging under the wing of an F-4J aircraft. The explosion of the rockets ruptured the aircraft’s fuel tanks and ignited the JP-5 fuel, leading to a chain of 18 munition explosions or detonations. The fire resulted in 28 deaths and 343 injuries, as well as damage to 17 aircraft and the ship itself. The cost of repairing the damage and replacing the aircraft and other equipment was over 126 million dollars. The tragedy of the USS Enterprise serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of ordnance accidents on aircraft carriers and the importance of maintaining strict safety protocols.
Information retrieved from THE HISTORY OF INSENSITIVE MUNITIONS BY RAYMOND L BEAUREGARD & Seaforces.org
USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) – View of damage after the fuel fire and munition explosions. U.S. Navy photo
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