Dean Kenyon Smith earned his private pilot's license at the age of 16. In 1961 he was selected as a principal candidate for the Regular Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. from Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen.
After naval flight training, he was assigned to fly F-4 Phantoms with VF-103 off the USS Saratoga. During his tour with VF-103 Dean completed the "top gun" school in Nevada. While on the USS Saratoga he made the first (unofficial) "hands off" landing on a carrier at sea.
Dean entered civilian life in 1970 and became a Delta Air Lines pilot flying many commercial jets over his 30 years with Delta. He ended his flying career as a L1011 captain in January 2000.
Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on May 13, 2000 several months short of his Oct. 30, 2000 60th birthday.
Dean was a dedicated pilot and a proud owner of a North American 1947-A Navion. He was also a contributing member of the American Air Museum in Duxford, England.