L. Wayne Smith, Captain USN (Retired) died at St. Mary's Nursing Home, Leonardtown, Maryland on February 18, 2010. He was 82 years old.

A native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, he was the son of Dr. Leon F. and Esther K. Smith. L. Wayne graduated from Fort Dodge High School and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. Shortly after enlisting, L. Wayne received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Upon release from the Coast Guard he entered the University of Michigan which he attended for a year in preparation for the Naval Academy. As a freshman at Michigan, L. Wayne excelled in wrestling where he won the 136 pound Big 10 Wrestling Championship.

He entered the Naval Academy in 1946 where he had many wrestling highlights, including becoming captain of the wrestling team and earning an invitation to compete in the 1952 Olympic Trials. While at the Naval Academy, Midshipman Smith was director of the Men's Glee Club and the Catholic Church Choir. He was an officer in the "N" Club, the Newman Club, and was a Regimental Commander. L. Wayne graduated from the Naval Academy in 1950 in the top fifth of his class with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering; he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and received his aviator's wings in 1951. L. Wayne saw combat in North Korea while piloting from the air craft carrier USS Oriskany. He was an instructor in air-to-ground warfare, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and received a Masters Degree in Business Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Smith was the commanding officer of Attack Squadron 66. He went on to be the commander of Carrier Air Wing Six on the USS America where he flew combat missions over North Vietnam. Captain Smith relocated to Southern Maryland where he became the first director for Strike Aircraft Test Directorate. He was also responsible for the early flight testing of the F/A-18 aircraft.

L. Wayne retired from active duty in 1980. After retirement he became a member of Rotary International, contributed time to various community projects and served on the Board of Directors of the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. L. Wayne Smith was the beloved husband of 55 years to the former, Mary Elizabeth Bradley Gaudette.

He is survived by his wife and his children, Ditto Christensen and son-in-law, John D. Christensen; Kathleen E. Whiddon and son-in-law, Dr. Scott Whiddon; Charles P. Smith; David B. Smith; Leon W. Smith, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Nancy L. Smith; and ten grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, February 22, 2010 at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD with Father Ray Schmidt officiating. Inurnment was held on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the US Naval Academy.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or the US Naval Academy Foundation, Account 8150, 291 Wood Rd., Annapolis, MD 21406.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.