Join AFIO Member Login
You are logged in as Logout DONATE
Obituary courtesy of https://obits.syracuse.com/us/obituaries/name/james-smith-obituary?id=61807483#obituary
Doug was born on 5 January 1936 in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of businessman Doug Smith, Sr. and pioneering architect Margaret Smith. After graduating from Norwalk High School, he attended Harvard University, where he studied American History and joined the US Navy Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC). Commissioned as an ensign after graduation in 1957, he served on destroyers as a naval surface weapons officer. In 1962, he was assigned to train Republic of Vietnam riverine forces, and was based in Saigon. He left active duty in mid-1962, but remained in Saigon, teaching English for six months. Leaving Saigon, he hitchhiked, took buses and local trains across Southeast Asia and South Asia, eventually finishing in Kabul, Afghanistan six months later. He returned to the United States and briefly worked for his father. It was during this time that his sister Jane introduced him to Barbara, who was then a senior at Wellesley College; Doug and Barbara were married in June 1964 and remained married for 62 years. That fall, he enrolled at Yale University, earning a master's in Southeast Asian Studies and learning Vietnamese, while Barbara obtained a master's in teaching art at Wesleyan University. A few months after graduation in 1966, Doug joined the Central Intelligence Agency in the Directorate of Operations.
After completing operations training, Doug joined the Near East Division and was posted overseas. Apart from his first tour, he served as station chief in each of his increasingly senior assignments. He served in Central Europe, Southern Europe, the Balkans, Southern Africa, and Central Africa, along with two tours at CIA Headquarters. He learned French, German, Greek, and Portuguese. He also remained with the US Naval Reserve through 1973, eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In the CIA, he reached the rank of SIS, and retired in late 1997. After 9/11, he supported the Intelligence Community by working on counterterrorism for two years.
During his CIA service, Doug was known as a charismatic leader and gifted recruiter. He took particular joy in mentoring junior officers and building enthusiasm for espionage through his warmth, wit, infectious sense of fun, and drive. He was also known for his operational creativity and his generosity.
Doug was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hiking, gardening, and vigorous yard work. He read voraciously, especially history. He loved animals and delighted in trying cuisines from around the world.
In addition to his wife Barbara, Doug is survived by his sister Jane Pataki, children Doug, Helen, and Susie, daughter-in-law Alyssa, and five grandchildren. There will be a memorial service in late July. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Doug's memory to the Alzheimer's Association: Attention Donor Services, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601 or www.alz.org.