Victor Smith - Later Career

Later Career

Smith was appointed Executive Officer of HMAS Sydney in January 1950, and served on the ship during its six-month tour of duty in the Korean War between August 1951, and February 1952. During this time, the Fleet Air Arm was conducting operations over Korea from Sydney; the first time it was in action. In April 1952, Smith was appointed to command the Advance Party at the former Royal Australian Air Force Air Station at Schofields. When Schofields was commissioned as HMAS Nirimba in April 1953, Smith was appointed Chief Staff Officer to the Captain (Air) Australia. He left this position in July to become Director of Air Warfare Organisation and Training at Navy Office, Melbourne and was promoed to captain in the New Year.

In June 1955, he was appointed Captain of the 1st Frigate Squadron in command of HMAS Quadrant, prior to assuming command of HMAS Queenborough the following year. In January 1957, Smith was appointed to command HMAS Albatross, the naval air station at Nowra, New South Wales. He served in this position until November 1959, when he was selected to attend the Imperial Defence College, London.

After a year in London, Smith returned to Australia to take command of the carrier HMAS Melbourne in January 1961. After eighteen months in command of the flagship, he was promoted to acting rear admiral in 1962. The rank was made permanent in 1963, and Smith served as Second Naval Member at the Navy Office. In the Queen's Birthday Honours of the same year, he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Smith's next appointment was as Fourth Naval Member, which lasted twelve months. In February 1966, he was appointed as Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet prior to assuming the office of Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. Promoted to vice admiral in April 1968, Smith was appointed Chief of Naval Staff, and in June was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath. The following year, Smith was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

In November 1970, Smith was appointed Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and promoted to the rank of admiral, becoming the first Australian to achieve that rank. In mid 1975 he was awarded the (then) newly established Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), before retiring in November; just short of forty-nine years naval service.