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BLUFFDALE — The Utah National Guard on Tuesday bid farewell to a highly decorated member, as Brig. Gen. Tyler B. Smith retired after 36 years of military service.
"There are difficult and rewarding aspects affiliated with retiring after 35 years of military service. It's tough to lose daily association with the most exceptional men and women our nation has to offer," Smith said in a statement.
Smith began his military career in 1986 when he enlisted in the Army. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and advanced individual training for a tank turret repairman at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He then served in the 8th Infantry Division stationed in Manheim, Germany.
After being deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Storm, Smith returned to Utah, joined the Utah Army National Guard and attended Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned in the engineer branch and served in the 1457th Engineer Battalion as a platoon leader and company commander.
Smith has served in various assignments such as assistant operations officer in the 115th Engineer Group, range control officer of Camp Williams, assistant professor of military science at Utah Valley University, and deputy inspector general.
In 2008, Smith was deployed to Afghanistan as the team chief of an Embedded Training Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was recognized for his work as an adviser to the Afghan National Army, earning the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
As a member of the Utah National Guard, Smith commanded the guard's 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team located in Salt Lake City until he was selected to serve as the deputy commander of Utah Training Center at Camp Williams. In June 2014, Smith was appointed as the garrison commander. In July 2016, he was assigned as the construction and facilities management officer responsible for all the real property of the Utah Army National Guard.
Over the past four years, Smith served as the Utah National Guard assistant adjutant general-Army before relinquishing command on Sunday.
Maj. Gen. Michael Turley, adjutant general, Utah National Guard, speaking at the change of command ceremony, said Smith worked tirelessly to protect the training and environmental vitality of Army Garrison Camp Williams by securing water rights and protecting boundaries through the Army Compatible Use Buffer Program and the West Traverse Sentinel Landscape, in addition to his immeasurable contributions to the organization.
Throughout his 36 years of military service, Smith garnered many notable decorations.
These decorations include:
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
- Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)
- Army Achievement Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster)
- Combat Action Badge
Notable state awards include:
- Utah Medal of Merit
- Utah Commendation Medal
- Utah Achievement Ribbon (with one bronze beehive)
- Utah Joint Staff Service Ribbon
- UTNG Service Ribbon (with four bronze beehives)
- Utah Olympic Winter Games Service Ribbon
- Utah Recruiting Ribbon (with one bronze beehive)
Smith has remained in the Beehive State, currently residing with his wife, Maurnie, in Fountain Green, Sanpete County. Together they have raised four children and currently have 13 grandchildren.
"The friendships, experiences and education I have gained are stored up and will be treasured forever," Smith said.
