Amy grant biography

Robert Grant "R. G." Smith, 87, died on 29 May at his home in California after a long illness.

Smith is best known as a Naval Aviation artist, and his two tours as a combat artist in Vietnam and trips to naval units around the world led to his distinction as an Honorary Naval Aviator.

Smith's career began in 1936 as an engineer with Douglas Aircraft, where he helped design naval aircraft such as the SBD Dauntless, AD Skyraider, F4D Skyray A3D Sky warrior, and the A4D Skyhawk. He was also one of the five original founders of the American Society of Aviation Artists.

In 1994 he became the first recipient of the R. G. Smith Award for excellence in Naval Aviation art-named in his honor by the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fla.