Lt. Paul "Jay" Smith

In 2007, Lt. Col (ret) Paul and Susan Smith established an endowment with First Command Educational Foundation (FCEF) to memorialize and honor their son Lt. Paul (Jay) Smith. Jay served his country as a Computer Specialist with the United States Air Force Standard Systems Group at Maxwell/Gunter AFB in Montgomery, AL. He always dreamed of following his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and becoming a career Air Force officer. On and off duty he is remembered for his candor, integrity, and dedication to God and country. He always showed his gratitude for the love of his family and deep concern for the well-being of others. At the age of 24, Jay perished in the ValuJet Flight 592 crash in the Florida Everglades on May 11, 1996. He was on leave to his alma mater, the University of Miami, to commission his fraternity brother into the Air Force. Jay was posthumously promoted to 1 Lt. and received the Air Force Commendation Medal by direction of the President of the United States for his dedication to duty and commitment to excellence. Moreover, a street was named for Jay at Maxwell/Gunter in honor of his service there.

“Lt. Paul “Jay” Smith is the kind of young man on whom our nation’s future depends, and on whom our nation’s freedom and security has always depended.”  
– Former US Representative Jack Fields, Texas


In celebration of his life, Paul and Susan Smith established the Jay Smith ROTC Scholarship and Excellence Fund in 1996 to recognize exemplary Air Force ROTC college cadets. They transferred the endowment to FCEF in 2007. FCEF now manages the fund and annually awards a Jay Smith ROTC Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to a cadet that distinguishes him or herself through leadership and dedicated service to community and country. Because Jay was such a proponent of recognition programs to honor those who make significant contributions, the Jay Smith Memorial Endowment also supports three Air Force organizations. They receive stipends to sustain their recognition programs at Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Alabama. These organizations are the 42nd Air Base Wing, Air & Space Basic Course (for Air Force Lieutenants), and the former Standard Systems Group where Jay served.

Past ROTC Scholarship and Excellence Foundation Recipients
Past Scholarship and Excellence Fund Recipients

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