A graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1915, Admiral Smith has been Commander, United Nations Blockade and Escort Force, Pacific Fleet since September, 1950. It was while he was Commander Cruiser Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, that the Missouri went aground, and as Commander of U.S.S. Missouri Salvage Operation he directed the refloating of that battleship, described in the accompanying article.