SMITH

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 07:03:30 :

Marin Independent Journal
Friday, October 5, 2001

SMITH, Matthew Comerford of Kentfield passed away September 17, 2001. Keatons, San Rafael, 415-453-0571.

Matthew Comerford Smith
Colonel, US Army (retired), born March 26, 1915 in Del Rio, Texas; died September 17, 2001 in Kentfield, California. Age 86 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Isabelle Sinclair Rising Smith, of San Rafael, Calif. and his loving daughter, Lisa Sinclair Smith, of Novato, Calif. A West Point (USMA) 1939 graduate, he followed his father in a US Army career, retiring as a full colonel after 30 years service in 1969. In WWII he served with the 26th Infantry Regt. of the 1st Infantry Division until he was captured in North Africa. He spent 27 months in a German POW camp, OFLAG 64 in Schubin, Poland. Subsequently, after WWII, he worked at the US Army Office of the Chief of Staff at the Pentagon from 1945-1948. He went on to obtain a Master's Degree from Harvard in History, and to teach History at West Point. Further assignments included various staff and command positions in Italy, Germany, Korea, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., and as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel at the Presidio of San Francisco. He also attended the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Penn. His awards included the: BSM W2 OLC, ARCOM, CIB, GSIdentBad, 1st Inf. Div. Citation, 1942. After his Army retirement, he worked for 10 years for the Bank for America, San Rafael, Calif. in the Trust Department. He loved to play golf and was a member of the Presidio Golf Club. He was also active in the Sons in Retirement (SIRS) Branch 47, The Harvard Club of San Francisco, and the Bank of America Retirees. He loved to travel, and especially to river raft. He rafted down five of the major rivers in the western United States. He was an avid reader, especially of US History books and novels. A Funeral Service and burial will be held on October 24, 2001 at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may by made to the American Lung Association, 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 or to the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Rd., Suite 150 Calabasas Hills, Calif. 91301-5104. Keaton Mortuary 1022 E Street San Rafael, CA 94901 415-453-0571