Aviator honored and remembered

NEW LONDON – There will be a brief ceremony for friends and family at New London High School on May 4th at 4:00 P.M to dedicate a small memorial in the school’s atrium for James Leonard Smith (1944–1970) an Air Force officer and New London High School graduate.
During the Vietnam War, Smith served two tours of duty, initially flying transport missions before upgrading to aircraft commander. His diary entries reflect a man of quiet humor and profound patriotism who balanced the mundane tasks of military life with the gravity of medevac and support missions. Captain Smith was killed in action on December 28, 1970, while flying a support mission over southern Laos. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart, leaving behind a legacy of honor and sacrifice.
Raised in a close-knit Wisconsin family, Smith was a high-achieving student and athlete in high school, serving as class president and a standout in football and debate. He graduated from New London High School in 1962.
After attending the University of Wisconsin for electrical engineering, Jim followed his passion for aviation to the United States Air Force Academy. He excelled there, earning spots on the Superintendent’s and Dean’s Merit Lists before graduating in 1967 as a cadet captain.