Military Background
The History of Byron Smith
Byron was inducted into the United States Air Force on April 21st in 1968. High test scores after one year of electrical engineering led the Air Force to assign him to one of their most difficult and critical skills: the bombing and navigation system of the B-52. After 42 weeks of training, Smith graduated first in his class. Working 12 hour shifts back to back to earn flight line personnel status, he volunteered for in-flight duty in Vietnam on the B-52’s.
Three B-52’s flew out of his base every two hours. There are many opportunities for electronics to fail in the hot tropical sun. If systems fail during pre-flight, the launch crew member only has minutes to analyze and solve the problem and fix everything before getting to the target. Second guesses are left behind on the ground. Half of the men working as a launch crew member dropped out due to the technical challenges and the stress of not failing.
Military Awards
Smith was awarded the Commendation Medal for excellent performance on these flights. Byron made 27 flights, exceeding the required minimum of 25 to be awarded the Air Combat Medal. He was promoted to E-5 Staff Sargent in less than four years, which was accomplished by less than 5% of all first term enlistees. Seven of his nine medals and ribbons are for Viet Nam service. During his time in the United States Air Force, Byron earned several military decorations.
Military Awards
1. Air Medal For air combat duty, 25 missions or more
2. Air Force Personal Commendation Medal For "distinctive meritorious achievement and service"
3. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ Oak Leaf Cluster (2 campaigns) Ribbon For "marked distinction in difficult or hazardous conditions", Vietnam B-52 service
4. Air Force Good Conduct Medal For three years continuous service with efficiency ratings of "excellent" or higher
5. National Defense Service Medal For voluntary service during a "national emergency" (the Vietnam conflict)
6. Vietnam Service Award w/ Bronze Star (two campaigns) Ribbon For direct support of ground troops
7. Air Force Longevity Award Ribbon For four years or more of service
8. Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal From the Vietnamese government for valor or heroism
9. Vietnam Campaign Medal For direct combat support of at least six months
Trial Transcript
Day: 10 / Page #: 1871 / Lines: 9-12
"The defendant didn't have any Vietnam ribbons. And for those who have served in Vietnam that might make one angry. He had some ribbons from being in the service."
- Prosecutor Pete Orput
Tall Tail B-52 Dropping Bombs
The bizarre strangeness of these prosecutorial LIES is compounded by Orbut's personal website where he states: "he is proud to help veterans who are in trouble with the law."
This demonstrates. for everyone to see, the quality and honesty of the prosecution.
Post Military
Career & Education
Byron studied electronics engineering and received his Bachelor’s degree from Cal-Poly in San Louis Obispo, California, earning 418 university credits. Afterwards, he was employed in wide band television distribution systems.
Later employment, with the US Dept. of State, was as a Technical Security Engineer, where he specialized in TSCM. TSCM is Technical Surveillance Counter Measures, the "white hat" guy in the spy-versus-spy game of bugging and snooping. But he trained at the same schools with the people from the FBI, NSA, etc, who do the "black hat" work. It's fascinating work, if you don't mind moving every couple of years, and not having anyone understand what your job is.
