 He served in this capacity under Colonel Raymond E. McQuillin until November that year and then assumed duty as Plans and Training officer of the Armored Force Replacement Training Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky.In April 1941, Smith was transferred to Pine Camp, New York and joined the headquarters of newly activated 4th Armored Division under Major general John S. Wood as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3).Smith was promoted to the temporary rank of Brigadier general on September 10, 1942 and joined recently activated 14th Armored Division under Major general Vernon Prichard at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas.