Relatively few career military officers achieve distinction in both military and civilian life. Fewer still gain wide admiration and respect in both fields. George Stanley Smith fondly known as "Budge” to most of us in the Service, is one who did.
The distinction he gained in his profession is shown by the assignments he was given and the promotions, awards, and decorations he won in carrying out those assignments. They are detailed in his official military record. His United States decorations include the Commendation Ribbon, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Service Medal and five additional Service Medals. He also received nine decorations from six foreign countries. He was promoted to Colonel in June 1942 and to Brigadier General in 1945.
The distinction Budge achieved in civil life is shown by his selection as President of the Jefferson County Historical Society, President of the Retired Officers Association of Northern New York, and President of the Board of Education of Hounsfield Central School in Sackets Harbor. He was given the leading role in the restoration of the site of the Sackets Harbor 1812 Battlefield and in the zoning programs of the town. Memorials have been placed in his honor in his church and in Hounsfield Central School. The street on which he lived has been named General Smith Drive.
Budge was born in Somerville, New Jersey from where he entered West Point and was graduated in 1923. Assigned to the Field Artillery, he served in artillery units and as Aide-de-Camp to Major General Frank Parker in the United States and the Philippine Islands until 1937. After graduating from the Command and General Staff College in 1938 he became an instructor with the Mississippi National Guard. He remained there until 1940 when he began service in military intelligence that culminated in outstanding achievement in organizing and commanding the Intelligence Task Force that seized critical intelligence targets in Rome. This was the first time that our Army had established and employed such a force to exploit intelligence in the capitol of an enemy country. Because of its success, Budge was later ordered to Paris to develop a similar force for our entry into Berlin. The Battle of the Bulge so modified United States’ plans that the organization of the force was never completed and Budge returned to duty in Italy where he was on the Staff of Field Marshall Alexander as G2, Allied Force Headquarters. In that capacity he was the senior intelligence officer in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. After post-war duty in the Department of the Army, physical disabilities made it necessary that Budge be assigned to less strenuous duties and he became Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Cornell University. In 1954 he was retired with a temporary disability which was declared permanent in 1959.
Budge's life was not all work. Although he was thrown twice during his first hour of riding at West Point, he persevered in equitation until he became one of the Army’s better known polo players and eventually carried a four goal handicap.
He also found time to participate actively in dramatics and other activities characteristic of post life in "the old Army.’’
After his retirement he became expert in gardening and the restoration of furniture.
He applied these talents to enhance the beauty and comfort of their home in Sackets.
Budge’s devotion to his Class and the Military Academy was shown by the fact that though he was a "turn-back’’ and could have graduated in 1922, he chose to remain for the full four year course. A sidelight of being tumed-back to 1923 is that Budge was a Cadet Sergeant at the time and Sergeants were not appointed from that Class. It took the Tactical Department several days to discover the oversight and bust him.
In 1924 Budge was married to Sydney Mason of Sackets Harbor, a descendant of Colonel Elisha Camp who commanded the Artillery in the battle of Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812. They had two children, a son, George Hale Smith, and a daughter, Sydney Mason Smith, who is now Mrs. Richard Cayward. After retirement the Smiths returned to their Sackets Harbor home which had been in Sydney’s family since 1815. The house itself is an historical landmark and contains many items of military and non-military historical importance. Sydney’s great uncle, General Tully McCrea, USMA 1862, wrote a series of letters to his cousin while he was a cadet and during his service in the Civil War. These letters came into Sydney’s possession some years ago. Budge contributed both effort and knowledge to the preservation of the historical treasures of the home and played an important role in arranging for the publication in 1965 of the McCrea letters in a book with the title, “Dear Belle.” Their treasure laden home has served to bind the Smith family together in stimulating common interests.
In addition to his wife and children Budge is survived by four grandchildren: Betsy Hale Smith, George Stanley Smith II, Richard C. Cayward Jr., and Mary Cayward; and a sister, Dorothy M. Smith of Somerville, New Jersey, who has built a house in Sackets Harbor where she now lives.
Acquaintances always comment on Budge’s devotion to his family, a characteristic shown by the fact that he and Sydney wrote daily letters while he was overseas in World War II. They also comment on his modesty—illustrated by the fact that he never had a formal photograph showing him wearing the star of a Brigadier General.
More important than the cold facts of the work and life of George Smith is the character of the man. We can gain a good perspective on this from the following representative comments of friends and fellow-workers:
"I always saw General Smith in a somewhat different light than as a soldier and commanding officer. I was always more impressed with his qualities as a gentleman, especially his concern for the welfare of others. He was warm, compassionate and understanding, and perhaps more important, a trustworthy and dependable friend.”
“Budge Smith was the quiet, efficient, unassuming smiling type that never needed words or push to get things done. The smooth, effortless and perfect performance he provided and expected of others, was his hallmark.”
"Budge’s constant good humor, modesty and willingness to understand others gained for him an unusually large number of long lasting friendships.”
“Budge reflected and secured from his coworkers high standards of conduct as well as performance of duty.”
Perhaps the best summary of the character of George Smith is contained in a statement read over the public address system of the Central School in Sackets Harbor the morning after his death:
"General Smith was a man of conviction, action, and great integrity. He was a gentleman at all times, in controversy or victory. He loved his country and served it with distinction. His untiring efforts on behalf of our local community have resulted in benefits and progress that we and succeeding generations will profit by. He felt that the future of our great nation was in the education of our children. To this end he worked diligently to bring the best education possible to the children of our community.
“General Smith will be sorely missed, but his life’s work will live on because it has touched so many of his fellow human beings.”
As we think about the accomplishments and the character of Budge Smith we are moved to say a most heartfelt, "Well done, Be thou at Peace."
—A Classmate