Jimmy Smith Death, Obituary – After the arrival of the emergency medical services, Jimmy Lee Smith III, 24 years old, was pronounced dead. The investigation into the issue is now taking place at the local law enforcement agency. “Jimmy was a tremendous teammate and paratrooper,” said Col. John D. Bishop, leader of the 3rd Special Forces Group, which is part of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). Because of his extensive experience in the kitchen, the Third Group team was extremely fortunate to have him on board. He was also a wonderful human being, which is of far more significance. As long as they are alive, Jimmy and his family, along with the other members of the 3rd Group, will be regarded as members of “The Tribe.”
We ask that you remember his family, friends, and teammates in prayer during this terribly difficult time and keep them in your thoughts. The impact that Smith had both as a leader and a teammate was felt for a significant amount of time following his death. A member of the Group Support Battalion named Spc. Roenice Todd made the following observation about Jimmy: “Jimmy was more than just an NCO; he was a mentor, a shoulder to cry on, a comedian at times, but most of all he was a tremendous friend.” It was an incredible honor to learn from someone of his caliber. A person who knew both Staff Sgt.
Smith and Staff Sgt. Michael Zapata stated that Staff Sgt. Smith was a leader, someone who got things done, and a wonderful friend. He was the one who defined what it meant to be a paratrooper for hundreds of other soldiers and paratroopers who followed in his footsteps. Paratroopers do not perish during their missions; rather, they simply vanish. “Catch you at the final manifest,” the driver instructed. Smith joined the Army in 2016, and since then, he has served in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as well as the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Smith will join the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in March of 2020. Smith was a good employee for the Group’s Support Battalion, in which he held the position of cook.
In the year 2020, Smith was dispatched to Jordan as part of the operation known as Inherent Resolve. On his Army Commendation Medal, he has four oak leaf clusters, on his Army Achievement Medal he has four oak leaf clusters, on his Army Good Conduct Medal he has one oak leaf cluster, and he also has the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Noncommissioned Officer