Background
Smith, William Young was born on August 13, 1925 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States. Son of Ray Sammons and Elisabeth Randolph (Young) Smith.
Smith, William Young was born on August 13, 1925 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States. Son of Ray Sammons and Elisabeth Randolph (Young) Smith.
Student, Washington and Lee University, 1943-1944; Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy, 1948; Master of Public Administration, Harvard University, 1954; Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University, 1961; graduate, National War College, 1965.
Second in command Lieutenant, United States Air Force, 1948; advanced through grades to general, United States Air Force, 1979; jet fighter pilot, Korea, 1951-1952; associate professor social science, United States Military Academy, 1954-1958; member of staff, President' Commission to Study Military Assistance Program, 1959; member war plans staff, United States Air Force Headquarters, 1960; staff assistant to General Maxwell Taylor, military representative to President J.F. Kennedy, White House, 1961-1962; member of staff National Security Council and staff assistant to chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1962-1964; deputy chief, policy and negotiations, chief war plans, Headquarters United States Air Force, Europe, 1965-1967; commander, 603d Air Base Wing, Sembach Air Force Base, Federal Republic Germany, 1967-1968; military assistant to secretary Air Force, 1968-1971; vice commander, then commander, Oklahoma City Air Materiel Command, 1971-1973; director doctrine, concepts and objectives, Headquarters United States Air Force, 1973-1974; director policy plans and national security affairs, Office Assistant Secretary Defense for International Security Affairs, 1974-1975; assistant to chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1975-1979; chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe, Belgium, 1979-1981; deputy commander in chief, United States European Command, Stuttgart, Federal Republic Germany, 1981-1983; retired, United States Air Force, 1983; fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, 1983-1984; president, Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, Virginia, 1985-1991; president emeritus, Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, Virginia, since 1991; also trustee, Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, Virginia. Treasurer, chairman finance committee, Atlantic Council. Member Executive Committee, board directors National Security Archive.
Life fellow Metropolitan Museum Art. Member National Academy Public Administration, National War College Alumni Association (president 1985-1987), West Point Society of District of Columbia (president 1987-1989), Council Foreign Relations, Cosmos Club.
Married Maria Helene Petschek, May 30, 1957. Children: Raymond P., Mark P., Derek P.