 Russell A. Smith
, a MOPH Life Member in Chapter 0568 Oklahoma, has been Editor of the Purple
Heart Magazine since August 2010. His military career began on May 23, 1980 when
he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. His Army career began in June 1984 when he
enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was commissioned through ROTC on May 24,
1986 and retired from active duty in the U.S. Army on August 31, 2006. Patriot
Smith was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel upon retirement.
Patriot Smith has served as a Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant,
Platoon Leader, Company Commander, & Battalion Commander. He has held numerous
staff positions including a tour on the Army National Guard Desert Storm After
Action Review Team at the Pentagon as a First Lieutenant. Shortly after, Patriot
Smith was assigned duties as a Congressional Actions Coordination Officer. In
1996, after commanding a rifle company full-time in south central Los Angeles
for two years, he was reassigned to the Pentagon where he served in Department
of the Army, Department of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff level staff
assignments. In 1999 he assumed duties as the Chief of Training, responsible for
oversight of all training matters effecting 16,000 California Army National
Guardsmen. Patriot Smith also served as the Senior Anti-Terrorism and Security
officer, Provost Marshall, Mobilization Officer and Director, Operations, Plans,
Training, Mobilization and Security at Camp Roberts, CA.
Then-Major Smith volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed
on 22 October 2004. In February 2005, Smith was medically evacuated to Walter
Reed Army Hospital and recovered from wounds he received in action against the
enemy while stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. He worked for the Project and
Contracting Office, Baghdad, Iraq, where he was assigned to the Iraq
reconstruction effort. He was the Liaison Officer to the 1st Cavalry Division, a
certified pay agent for the 1st Cavalry Division, and Liaison Officer to the
Civilian Police Advisory Training Team. He returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom
on 5 September 2005.
Patriot Smith taught and coached in public schools in the Oklahoma City Metro
area for five years. He is a certified Secondary Principal, Social Studies, and
English Teacher, and he has passed his Superintendent Exam.
Patriot Smith earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration at the
University of Central Oklahoma in 2009. Patriot Smith graduated from California State University,
Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government in 1986. He graduated
from Del Campo High School in Sacramento, CA in June, 1979 where he was an honor
student, 4 year Varsity Letterman, 4 year all- city swimmer, 4 year all-state
swimmer, & 3 year NISCA All-American Swimmer. He was undefeated in league
competition for four years. He was the head girls and boys Swimming and Diving
Coach at Mira Loma High School, in Sacramento, CA from 1985 to 1986. Four of his
swimmers qualified for NISCA All American.
Patriot Smith’s military education includes the Command & General Staff Officer
Course, Combined Arms Staff Services School (CAS3), the Armor Officer Advanced
Course, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, the U.S. Marine
Corps Boot Camp, Infantry School, Marine Corps NCO Academy, & Marine Corps
Guerilla Warfare Course.
Military Awards and Decorations include: Combat Action Badge, Purple Heart
Medal, Parachutist Badge, three Army Commendation Medals, and three Army
Achievement Medals.
Patriot Smith and his wife reside in Oklahoma City, OK and have two daughters.
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