Career
Born in 1856 in Ireland, Smith emigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Virginia. By October 1, 1878, he was serving as a seaman on the United States Ship Enterprise. On that day, while Enterprise was off the coast of ParĂ¡, Brazil, he rescued Coxswain William Kent from drowning.
Foreign rescuing from drowning William Kent, coxswain of the United States.S. Enterprise, off Para, Brazil, 1 October 1878.