Commander Charles Earl Smith, U.S.N.
In making up the list of those sons of Greene county who have represented this county creditably in far fields and whose actions have added to the luster of the county's fair name, it is but fitting that some special mention should be made of one of these sons whose rise in the navy has been the occasion of much congratulation on the part of his many friends here and whose service in that arm of the nation's defense in the present (1918) struggle is contributing valiantly to the world's common cause. Charles Earl Smith, commander in the United States navy, now (1918) in command of the United States destroyer "Nicholson," stationed in the submarine zone in British waters, was born at Xenia in 1881, a son of Judge Horace L. Smith and wife, a biographical sketch of the former of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume.
Reared at Xenia, Charles Earl Smith received his early schooling in the schools of that city and upon completing the course in the high school received the appointment from this congressional district as a cadet in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, from which he was graduated as an ensign in 1903. During his term of study in the Naval Academy he "starred" in athletics, particularly on the "gridiron," he having played quarterback on the navy team during the seasons of 1901 and 1902. Upon receiving his title of ensign he was assigned to the cruiser "New York," and during the next two seasons helped to coach the navy football team. During the fleet's celebrated trip around Cape Horn he was stationed on a torpedo-boat destroyer, which, though not built for long trips, got through all right; and after the completion of that memorable voyage he was assigned to the Pacific fleet and did duty along the California coast until 1915, when, meanwhile having been advanced to the grade of first lieutenant, he was given command of a flotilla of submarines and was at Honolulu at the time the ill-fated submarine 4 was lost in the harbor there, to him falling the duty of raising the same. After that tragic experience Lieutenant Smith obtained shore leave and was assigned to special service at the Naval Academy, in charge of athletics, and was thus in service at the time war was declared against Germany in the spring of 1917, with the rank of lieutenant-commander, in charge of the training of marines for petty officers; later was raised to the rank of commander, and is now (1918) engaged in convoying transports carrying soldiers and provisions to and from England and France and on the lookout for German submarines. Commander Smith has also rendered service in the army, he having been a member of the First Ohio Cavalry, doing service during the Spanish-American War, and was stationed in camp at Chickamauga at the time he received his appointment as a cadet to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, obtaining a furlough in order that he might take the examination necessary to qualify for the latter service.
From History of Greene County Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, vol. 2. M.A.Broadstone, editor. B.F.Bowen & Co., Indianapolis. 1918