By Deborah Larsen
Michael Phalen Smith
Michael Phalen Smith was born in Capac, Michigan, on January 31, 1917, the son of Albert and Mayme Phalen Smith. The Smith family moved to Avon Township when Michael was a child and lived on Adams Road. He attended St. Frederick’s Catholic School in Royal Oak and graduated in the class of 1935. Michael joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and studied engineering at the University of Detroit.
In May 1941, Michael was called to active duty in the U.S. Navy. He was commissioned as an officer and stationed at Newport, Rhode Island. After the war, Michael remained an active naval officer.
During the Korean War, Michael was captain of the destroyer USS Picking, which conducted shore bombardment off the coast of Korea. Later in his career, he served as executive officer of the Newport, Rhode Island, Navy Station and plans officer at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.
Michael retired from the Navy at the rank of commander in February 1965. He went on to a teaching career at Jamestown High School in Rhode Island and also served as the captain of the Jamestown Ferry. He enjoyed sailboating on Narragansett Bay and was active in many community organizations.
Commander Michael Phalen Smith was delivering his annual Veterans Day address in Newport when he was stricken ill and died at age 72 on November 11, 1989. He was laid to rest in Middletown, Rhode Island.