Smith advances to Admiral

Dixon R. Smith was recently promoted to Rear Admiral and is currently the Commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.

Smith is the son of Jim Smith and stepson of wife Carolyn, both of whom reside in Sisters, and his mother, Mrs. Glenn West of Lake Oswego.

Rear Admiral Smith was raised in Green's Farms, Connecticut, until entering the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1978. Receiving his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1983, he was designated a Surface Warfare Officer in 1985.

His first sea tour was in USS Miller (FF 1091), serving as First Lieutenant and Damage Control Assistant. In March 1990, Rear Admiral Smith assumed responsibilities as Operations Officer in USS Jarrett (FFG 33), participating in Operation Desert Storm providing air cover for USS Missouri (BB 63) and escort duties off the coast of Kuwait. Follow-on orders as Operations Officer in USS Gridley (CG-21) included service during the establishment of Operation Southern Watch over Southern Iraq.

From April 1997 to June 1998, Rear Admiral Smith served as Executive Officer in USS Antietam (CG-54). As Commanding Officer, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) from July 2001 to March 2003, he deployed with the John F. Kennedy Battle Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Rear Admiral Smith's shore assignments include duty at Naval Education and Training Center, Newport, Rhode Island as Seamanship Instructor. Additionally, he served as Aide to the Naval Inspector General, Washington, D.C. Assigned to duty in Naples, Italy, he served as Deputy Executive Assistant to Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe including service in support of the Joint Force Commander, Operation Allied Force and Commander, Joint Task Force Noble Anvil during NATO's operations in Kosovo.

Rear Admiral Smith's next shore assignment was at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, where he served as the 4th Battalion Officer, Ethics Instructor and Plebe Summer Officer in Charge. He then served as the Commanding Officer of Naval Base San Diego immediately prior to assuming his current assignment.

Rear Admiral Smith holds a master's degree in business from Webster University and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Rear Admiral Smith is married to the former Kiki Connerton of Stonington, CT. They have three children, Tucker, Zachary and daughter, Cragan. They reside in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.