Ben L Smith High School Alumni
Greensboro, North Carolina (NC)
Recent Members
| Barbara Bar | 1978 |
| Brad Cox | 1971 |
| Brittany Carroll | 2008 |
| Denise Ware | 1952 |
| Erica Motley | 1996 |
| Joseph Kornegay | 2004 |
| Judy Whittemore | 1972 |
| William B Odom William B Odom | 1975 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Ben L Smith High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Golden Eagles lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Alan (Skip) Nix
Class of 1975
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Joined the Marines and left 2 weeks after graduation. Became a Crash Fire Rescue firefighter. Spent two tours at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and a tour at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. Was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, Corporal and Sergeant. Discharged as Staff Sergeant.
Upon discharge became a Greensboro Firefighter. Served 35 years with GFD and retired as a Division Chief over the Training Division.
Class of 1975
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Joined the Marines and left 2 weeks after graduation. Became a Crash Fire Rescue firefighter. Spent two tours at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and a tour at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. Was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, Corporal and Sergeant. Discharged as Staff Sergeant.
Upon discharge became a Greensboro Firefighter. Served 35 years with GFD and retired as a Division Chief over the Training Division.
Anthony Pace
Class of 1972
Navy, 9 Years
Enlisted as an Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare Specialist in 83. (AW) Changed to Operations Specialist(OS) during boot camp. Assigned to USS Iowa(BB-61) One of four Battleships returned to service during that time. Also served on USS New Jersey(BB-62). Saw action in Middle East and became VFW eligible.
Accepted for Officer's Candidate School in 85, and graduated in 86. Served as Regimental Bandmaster. After Division Officer and Engineering Officer School in San Diego, returned East to serve aboard USS Austin (LPD-4). (Think John Wayne leading the marines to the beach)
Class of 1972
Navy, 9 Years
Enlisted as an Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare Specialist in 83. (AW) Changed to Operations Specialist(OS) during boot camp. Assigned to USS Iowa(BB-61) One of four Battleships returned to service during that time. Also served on USS New Jersey(BB-62). Saw action in Middle East and became VFW eligible.
Accepted for Officer's Candidate School in 85, and graduated in 86. Served as Regimental Bandmaster. After Division Officer and Engineering Officer School in San Diego, returned East to serve aboard USS Austin (LPD-4). (Think John Wayne leading the marines to the beach)
Doug Still
Class of 1975
Navy, 20+ Years
Doug enlisted in the Navy in his senior year and attended boot camp after graduation. Doug served on USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Iowa (BB-61), USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in Desert Storm, and USS Nashville (LPD-13). Doug was enlisted for 19 years and rose to the rank of ETCS and was then selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer. Doug retired in 2000 after 25 1/2 years of service.
Class of 1975
Navy, 20+ Years
Doug enlisted in the Navy in his senior year and attended boot camp after graduation. Doug served on USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Iowa (BB-61), USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in Desert Storm, and USS Nashville (LPD-13). Doug was enlisted for 19 years and rose to the rank of ETCS and was then selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer. Doug retired in 2000 after 25 1/2 years of service.
Dracy R. (Smith) Blackwell
Class of 1983
Air Force, 7 Years
I joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. I completed my basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, and my technical training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. My first permanent duty station was Eglin AFB, FL. After completing 3 years at Eglin, I was transferred to Elmendorf AFB, AK where I served another 3 year term. My last and final duty station was Hill AFB, UT. I was at Hill for about 8 months before deciding to call it quits. I left the Air Force in June 1990 and returned to Greensboro, NC. My rank at the time of separation was E-5, Staff Sergeant. After returning to Greensboro, I joined the AF Reserves and was stationed out of Seymour Johnson AFB. While a member of the Reserves, I was recalled to active duty for Desert Storm. I served 4 months as part of Desert Storm and shortly after that assignment was over, I left the military for good.
Class of 1983
Air Force, 7 Years
I joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. I completed my basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, and my technical training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. My first permanent duty station was Eglin AFB, FL. After completing 3 years at Eglin, I was transferred to Elmendorf AFB, AK where I served another 3 year term. My last and final duty station was Hill AFB, UT. I was at Hill for about 8 months before deciding to call it quits. I left the Air Force in June 1990 and returned to Greensboro, NC. My rank at the time of separation was E-5, Staff Sergeant. After returning to Greensboro, I joined the AF Reserves and was stationed out of Seymour Johnson AFB. While a member of the Reserves, I was recalled to active duty for Desert Storm. I served 4 months as part of Desert Storm and shortly after that assignment was over, I left the military for good.
John Turner
Class of 1980
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served 20 years as a Tactical Air Controller, Radar Fighter Interceptor Director, Space Systems Operations Manager and Space Systems Research and Development Engineer
Class of 1980
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served 20 years as a Tactical Air Controller, Radar Fighter Interceptor Director, Space Systems Operations Manager and Space Systems Research and Development Engineer
Joshua Luke Phillips
Class of 2001
Air Force, 6 Years
US Air Force reserve
E-4
2T251 Air Transportation Apprentice
Class of 2001
Air Force, 6 Years
US Air Force reserve
E-4
2T251 Air Transportation Apprentice
Michael L. Tucker
Class of 1991
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
USMC:1993-1997
ARMY: 1997-2015
Class of 1991
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
USMC:1993-1997
ARMY: 1997-2015
Michael Tucker
Class of 1991
Army, 17 Years
Served with the US Marines from 1993-1997.
Joined Army 1997 to current.
I have over 17 years of military service.
Been deployed for OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2008-2009), Bosnia (1995), Gambia, West Africa (1994)
Class of 1991
Army, 17 Years
Served with the US Marines from 1993-1997.
Joined Army 1997 to current.
I have over 17 years of military service.
Been deployed for OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2008-2009), Bosnia (1995), Gambia, West Africa (1994)
Michael Tucker
Class of 1991
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Served USMC and ARMY.
Tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, West Africa and 911 World Trade Center, Home land security.
Class of 1991
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Served USMC and ARMY.
Tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, West Africa and 911 World Trade Center, Home land security.
Michael Tucker
Class of 1991
Army, 20+ Years
USMC 1993-1997
ARMY. 1997-2015
West Africa 1994
Bosnia 1995
Afghanistan 2008
Kuwait 2012
Class of 1991
Army, 20+ Years
USMC 1993-1997
ARMY. 1997-2015
West Africa 1994
Bosnia 1995
Afghanistan 2008
Kuwait 2012
Robert Beckner
Class of 1966
Air Force, 20+ Years
Bob enlisted in 1970 and trained as a jet fighter mechanic. He worked on A-7, F-111 and A10 fighters before cross training as a C-141 Starlifter Flight Engineer. He performed Presidential Support flights, Special Operations and Operation Just Cause. He retired 1991 after 21 years of service.
Class of 1966
Air Force, 20+ Years
Bob enlisted in 1970 and trained as a jet fighter mechanic. He worked on A-7, F-111 and A10 fighters before cross training as a C-141 Starlifter Flight Engineer. He performed Presidential Support flights, Special Operations and Operation Just Cause. He retired 1991 after 21 years of service.
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Ben L Smith High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Golden Eagles.
School News
Allen Patterson book complete
Page High School graduate Gregory Allen Patterson's memoir "What Lies Within" has been published by Trafford P...
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Our Ben L Smith High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Ben L Smith High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Greensboro are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!