 He was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas in November 1950 and assumed duty as Deputy Commander, Fifth United States Army under lieutenant general Stephen J. Chamberlin.Upon the retirement of general Chamberlin in December 1951, Smith assumed his duties and served as Acting general of Fifth Army until July 1952, when new commanding general, William B. Kean relieved him.Smith then resumed his duties as Deputy commander and remained in that capacity until February 1953, when he was ordered to Washington, D.C. for duty as Chief of the Office of Military History.