Richard Smeeton

      Sir Richard Smeeton
      Born 24 September 1912
      Died 29 March 1992
      Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
      Service/branch Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy
      Years of service 1926 - 1964
      Rank Vice Admiral
      Commands held 800 Naval Air Squadron
      HMS Albion
      Battles/wars World War II
      Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
      Member of the Order of the British Empire

      Vice Admiral Sir Richard Michael Smeeton KCB MBE DL (24 September 1912 – 29 March 1992) was a Royal Navy officer who became Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.

      Naval career

      Educated at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Smeeton joined the Royal Navy in 1926.[1] He served in World War II with 804 Naval Air Squadron taking part in the Norwegian Campaign.[1] He continued his war service as Officer Commanding 800 Naval Air Squadron from June 1940, as assistant naval attaché in Washington D. C. from May 1941 and as Air Plans Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet from 1943.[1] He was appointed Captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Albion in 1955, Director of Plans at the Admiralty in 1956 and Flag officer, Aircraft Carriers in 1960.[1] He went on to be Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in 1962 and retired in 1964.[1]

      In retirement he became Chief Executive of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors[2] and Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.[1]

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      References

      1. ^ a b c d e f Biplane fighter aces
      2. ^ The 1968 SBAC Display Flight International, 26 September 1968
      Military offices
      Preceded by
      Sir Charles Evans
      Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
      1962–1964
      Succeeded by
      Sir William Beloe
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      Last modified on 5 April 2012, at 22:33