Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith, Jr., a regular contributor to HUMAN EVENTS and Guns & Patriots and the public information officer for the S.C. Military Dept.’s Joint Services Detachment, was honored recently for his work in both counterterrorism and for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s 2010 convention, which was held in Charleston, S.C. in October.

A former U.S. Marine rifle squad leader, Smith received both the S.C. Meritorious Service Medal and the State Merit Ribbon during ceremonies, Feb. 19, 2011, at the S.C. Adjutant General’s headquarters building in Columbia.

For Smith’s convention efforts, he was presented the S.C. Meritorious Service Medal.
Smith organized the Medal of Honor convention’s information team and arranged and directed local, national, and international media for the national convention honoring fewer than 100 living recipients of the nation’s highest award for bravery in combat.

Smith’s second award, the State Merit Ribbon, was presented for the “highest form of leadership” in establishing and directing the Counterterrorism Task Force (known today as Counterterrorism Information), and providing senior level briefings, “to promote the security and welfare of all South Carolinians.”

Smith’s service in JSD is another rung in a ladder of work on behalf of his country involving a life of military service, counterterrorism analysis, and journalism.

An acclaimed writer and war correspondent, the S.C. native has covered conflict from the Balkans to the Middle East, delivering firsthand accounts to readers around the globe.

When America was attacked on September 11, 2001, Smith immediately traveled to New York.  He has since been to Iraq twice, first with British forces, then with U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces and U.S. Army cavalry. He has authored numerous books, and his articles have appeared in leading publications including Human Events, BusinessWeek, USA Today, Investors Business Daily, and Family Security Matters. He is often cited by journalists who appreciate Smith’s grasp of issues related to international security, and he has often been quoted on issues like seaborne piracy and special operations.

FOX News terrorism analyst Dr. Walid Phares has referred to Smith as “a military and defense expert.”

Clare Lopez, retired CIA operations officer, agrees. She adds, “Smith is a natural leader. His counterterrorism advisory program initiatives on counter-jihad, counter-sharia and counterterrorism have developed into a tremendous asset for the Military Department.”

Since Aug. 2009, Smith has provided briefings to the Joint Services Detachment. He has arranged, organized, and facilitated presentations to the S.C. Military Dept. by international terrorism experts such as Lopez, former U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Jed Babbin, and former CIA Director Porter J. Goss.

Smith also serves as national director of the U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team.