FREEDOM CELEBRATION

Chaplain (CPT) Mike Smith

Mike was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. In 1988, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated Platoon Honor Graduate and high shooter as well as the Company Distinguished Honor Graduate from Parris Island. Over the next nine years, Mike served in multiple capacities for the Marine Corps; one of which called him to combat in the Persian Gulf War. He was meritoriously promoted and given the responsibility of Platoon Sergeant having numerous Marines under his command. Mike received multiple awards and decorations to include the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon as well as a Presidential Unit Citation and a Meritorious Unit Citation.

Mike left the Marine Corps in 1997 to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and began to serve as a Deputy Sheriff in Tampa, Florida. Over the next ten years, he served the citizens of Tampa as a patrol deputy, narcotics detective, and as a sniper on the county-wide SWAT team. Mike received several commendations and medals while serving in this capacity.

God would eventually lead Mike into full time local church ministry where he served as youth pastor in Tampa, Florida. In 2004, during an annual mission's conference, God burdened Mike and his family to go back into the military as a chaplain. In 2005, Mike received his commission as an officer in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. While serving as a chaplain to a Marine Corps reserve unit, Mike completed his Master of Sacred Ministry Degree from Northland International University.

In 2008, Mike accessioned to active duty in the Army Chaplain Corps and served as the Battalion Chaplain for the 1-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He recently returned from a 12 month combat deployment to Baghdad, Iraq where he was awarded the Combat Action Badge as well as the Bronze Star Medal and an Army Commendation Medal. Mike was recently re-assigned to 7th Special Forces Group serving under the United States Army Special Operations Command.

Mike has been married for 17 years to his wife Maureen. They have three children: Andrew (16), Amber (13), and Emmaly (12). Although he now serves proudly in the Army, Mike is still committed to the Marine Corps motto: "Semper Fidelis" which means Always Faithful to God, Family and Country.