Imagine the surprise of a granddaughter finding and connecting with an old friend of her grandmother’s over 50 years later! While at first the only link that Tiffany had to Jack Smith was through this 1964 Los Angeles Times newspaper article pictured below, she would soon come into contact with Captain Marvin “Jack” Smith Jr. in real time, via the Internet.
Jack was a gracious and helpful resource to Tiffany at the beginning of this project, and connecting with Jack really helped to bring the story full circle.
Jack Smith Video Interview Series
Below follows a video series courtesy of Vic Campbell at Buzz Creek, which is the life story of Jack Smith (captured at the age of 94 in 2016) as told to a shipmate from USS O’Callahan DE 1051. In video #4, Jack talks about his experience of being married to Joan, and what life was like for him following her fatal plane crash.
You can also learn more about Jack in this blog post from Vic Campbell dated August 5, 2018.
Fate on a Folded Wing 
This story, as sad as it is … is a lesson in the human spirit. Thank you, Jack Smith !
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Vic, it’s an all-around amazing story and Jack is an inspiration. Glad I was able to connect with you and Jack on it!
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Thank you for the article and interview. I learned so much about Jack. I have worked with Jack on many civic projects over the years – Habitat for Habitat for one. I In a rare moment when you can catch him just right time, he will share some stories. But it is always ‘we’ and ‘us’. Rarely a ‘me’. A humble man – most I’ve ever met. Thank you
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Hello John. Thank you for sharing! He surely does seem like a phenomenal guy. Glad you had the opportunity to work with him.
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For those who may not know, Uncle Jack passed away on January 12th. Thank you for these videos as they stand as a wonderful reminder of his legacy and life. Jack would have been 100 in April!
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Hi Ben! Thank your for note and I am sorry to hear about Jack’s passing. I was aware and also knew that he was just a few months shy of 100! What a life and legacy.
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