CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah – Brigadier General Tyler B. Smith was honored during a retirement ceremony from the Utah National Guard on Tuesday, March 15.
The resident of Fountain Green is calling it a career after nearly 36 years of military service. For the past four years, Smith has served as assistant adjutant general of the Utah Army National Guard. He relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Joseph W. Green, a resident of American Fork, during a change of command ceremony on Sunday, March 13.
“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. However, the friendships, experiences, and education I have gained are stored up and will be treasured forever,” said Smith.
Smith joined the Army in 1986. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He also attended advanced individual training as a tank turret repairman at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.
During his time in the military, Smith was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Storm. When he returned to Utah, Smith joined the Utah National Guard and attended Officer Candidate School.
Smith was also deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. In Afghanistan, Smith served as the team chief of an embedded training team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For his service to the Afghan National Army, Smith was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
In 2016, Smith was assigned as the construction and facilities management officer responsible for all the real property of the Utah National Guard. He was then made the assistant adjutant general for the Utah Army National Guard on July 2, 2018.
Smith had a decorated career. Some of his decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the 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) and the Combat Action Badge.
Smith earned a master’s degree in public administration.
Smith and his wife, Maurnie, have raised four children and have 13 grandchildren.
