2nd Lt. Brian D. Smith of McKinney, Texas had a promising law career ahead of him. However there was one thing missing: tanks. 2nd Lt. Smith, who worked in labor and employment law, decided to join the Army in June 2003 because he had a lifetime fascination for the rumbling military machines. He grew up in McKinney, Texas and attended McKinney public schools graduating from McKinney High School in 1990. While growing up, he participated in the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. (One of the projects he started in Troop 303 was to put flags on the graves of the veterans on Memorial Day). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994. Brian always loved to read and studied history continually to the date of his death. He attended Baylor University's School of Law and received his law degree in 1998 and then practiced law in Austin, Texas. His long-term fascination with mechanized armor and the evolution of the 'tank' motivated him to enlist in the army in January of 2003. Rather than practice law in the army, he wanted to work his way 'up through the ranks' beginning with basic training, officer candidate school, and armor training. He was assigned to the 1-34th Armored Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Brian loved to correspond via e-mail with his family, friends, and an ever-growing list of readers and colleagues, with his thoughts and observations concerning the conflict in Iraq. He loved nothing more than a rowdy night at the keyboard of his computer, unless it was a good history or sci-fi book. He was brilliant. When he was a kid, his parents ordered a belt that was supposed to have his name on it. Instead, the belt said 'Brain'. He wore it proudly. Brian was an eloquent speaker, a gifted writer, and possessed an extraordinary imagination and intellect. Brian is survived by his loving wife of two years (the love of his life for over eleven years), Kathleen (KC) Carroll-Smith; his parents, William M. and Linda Smith; his sister, Dr. Erin M. Smith; and his grandfather, William M. Benton; great-aunt and uncle, Reverend Joe and Rooney Ader, aunt, Corinne Brown, aunt, Beth and uncle Dean Sawyer; cousins, Valerie Sawyer, Lisa LaBaff, Timothy and Jonathan Ader, and Duane and Nancy Cashon. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Martell and Eva Lou Smith and his grandmother, Alda B. Benton. Brian was a quick witted non-conformist who made everyone laugh. Everyone who knew him marveled at the depth of his intelligence and the rapidity of his wit. His observations on life, philosophy, politics and religion would leave everyone around him sore with laughter a laughter that will never be replaced. Brians' son holds a special place in history: He is one of the first children to have been conceived from sperm left behind by a soldier who was killed in battle. The child was born July 2006, a little more than two years after his father was killed. He was 30.

Army
1st Battalion
34th Armor
1st Brigade
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas∼Lt. Brian D. Smith