 He was promoted to private first class on September 1, 1966 and to Lance Corporal on January 1, 1967.In July 1967, LCpl Smedley arrived in the Republic of Vietnam.He was assigned duty as a rifleman and squad radio man with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, and was promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1967.