BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born April 30, 945, in Beaufort, North Carolina. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; blue eyes; height: 6 feet 1 inch; weight: 175 pounds. EDUCATION: Graduated from Beaufort High School, Beaufort, North Carolina, in 1963; received a bachelor of science degree in Naval Science form the United States Naval Academy in 1967 and a master of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School in 1968. MARITIAL STATUS: Married to the former Jane Jarrell of Charlotte, North Carolina. CHILDREN: Scott, January 12, 1969; Allison, June 21, 1971; and Erin, August 2, 1977. RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: Woodworking, running, tennis, squash. SPECIAL HONORS: the Navy Distinguished Flying cross, 3 Air Medals, 3 Strike Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with the "V", the Navy Unit Citation, and the Vietnamese cross of Gallantry with the Silver Star. EXPERIENCE: Commander Smith graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1967 and subsequently attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California. He completed Navy aviation jet training at Kingsville, Texas, receiving his aviator wings in May, 1969. He was then assigned to the Advanced Jet Training Command (VT-21) where he served as an instructor from May 1969 to March 1971. During the 2-year period that followed, he flew A-6 Intruders and completed a Vietnam cruise while assigned to Attack Squadron 52 aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In 1974, he completed U.S. Navy Test Pilot School and was assigned to the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at Patuxent River, Maryland, to work on the A-6E TRAM and CRUISE missile guidance systems. He returned to the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1976 and completed an 18-month tour as an instructor. From Patuxent River, Smith was assigned to Attack Squadron 75 where he served as maintenance and operations officer while completing two mediterranean deployments aboard the USS Saratoga. He has flown 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft, logging over 4,300 hours of flying time, including 4,000 hours in jet aircraft. NASA EXPERIENCE: Commander Smith was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May 1980. In August 1981, he completed a 1–year training and evaluation period, making him eligible for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews. Commander Smith has served as a commander in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory, deputy chief of Aircraft Operations Division, technical assistant to the director, Flight Operations Directorate, and was also assigned to the Astronaut Office Development and Test Group. SEPTEMBER 1984
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NAME: Michael J.
Smith (Commander, USN), NASA Astronaut