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Lt Col Edwin M. Smith graduated from Laramie Wyoming High School in 1928 and entered the University of Michigan in September 1929. In 1931 he was appointed to the United States military academy, West Point, graduating in 1935. He married Martha K. Kreis in Honolulu, T.H. in 1938, when stationed at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, with the 21st Infantry. From 1940 to June, 1943, he was an instructor at West Point, resigning from there to enter active service in the army.

When Colonel Smith lives in Evanston, his father was rector of St. Paul´s Episcopal church. Later the family moved to Laramie where Rev. Smith served as dean of St. Matthews cathedral."

Lt Col Smith was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 13 December 1944 in the vicinity of Vossenack, Germany. While achieving its objective, Lt Col Smith's battalion had suffered heavy casualties and was, of necessity, spread thin to hold its ground against enemy counter attack. When the enemy broke through the line and a group of twenty attempted to overrun the battalion's position, Lt Col Smith hastily organizing a squad from his Forward CP personnel, personally led them against the enemy force. Although killed in the ensuing action, the courage, leadership and resourcefulness displayed by Lt Col Smith enabled his men to kill or capture all of the enemy forces. "Lt Col Smith's personal courage and outstanding devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."