Retired First Sergeant Jamal Milek Da’mon Smith, 52, was born to Juardine Pratt and Barney
L. Smith, Sr., on August 9, 1971, in San Francisco, California. He and his Mommie, as he lovingly called her, faithfully attended First A.M.E. Zion Church, San Francisco, CA, where Jamal was baptized as an infant, by Rev. B. Leon Carson
As a child, Jamal was good, respectful, caring, and loving. He could do no wrong in the eyes of his grandparents, Herman and Juanita Pratt, Sr. Jamal faithfully attended Sunday School and served in the children and youth choirs. He loved participating in the skits and plays that were organized throughout the year. During this time, his mom, Juardine, met Frederick Tyrone Ward. He became a friend that Jamal loved and could depend on throughout his life.
Regarding his education, Jamal attended school in the San Francisco Unified School District in his early years. He transferred to Antelope Valley High School, Lancaster, CA, in August 1987, following the marriage of his mother Juardine to Walter Patrick. After a semester, Jamal returned to San Francisco and attended Galileo High School. There, Jamal’s first interest in the military took place and he joined ROTC (Reserve Officer’s Training Corps). He also sparked an interest in football and was selected to play on the varsity team. His grandfather was so proud that he promised to buy pizza every Friday after the game. Their team was 12-0. Jamal graduated in 1989.
On January 21, 1991, Jamal’s baby brother, Jaunté Denzel Patrick, was born. Even though they weren’t close in age, Jamal loved his little brother and spent every minute with him as he could, before leaving for boot camp in the United States Army.
First Sergeant Jamal Smith entered the U.S. Army in 1991. When Jamal enlisted, he acquired the rank Private First Class E3 due to his ROTC experience. He conducted One Station Unit Training (OSUT) as an Armor Crewman at Ft. Knox Kentucky. Upon graduating from OSUT, he was awarded the MOS of 19K (M1 Armor Crewman). Then, he attended Quartermaster school at Fort Lee Virginia where he was awarded the MOS of 92A (Automated Logistical Specialist). 1SG Smith has served in numerous stateside and overseas positions and assignments. His assignments include Tank Crewman, Dc 2/72 Armor B Camp Casey Korea; Tank Gunner, HQ 1-63rd Armor Bn, Fort Irwin CA; Tank Commander, Aco 1/63 Armor B Fort Irwin CA; BMP Commander, 32nd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment, Fort Irwin CA; Material Accounting NCO, 911 Maintenance Company 245th Support B, Fort Clayton Panama; Reparable Exchange NCOIC, Maintenance Troop 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; Detailed Recruiter, St. Louis Recruiting BN, Bloomington, IL; Brigade Operations NCOIC, DISCOM 1st Cavalry Division and with the 15th Sustainment Brigade 13th Sustainment Command Expeditionary. 1SG Smith served with the Division Support Command 1st Cavalry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2004 to March 2005 and again with the 15th Sustainment Brigade 1st Cavalry Division from August 2006 to October 2007. June 2008, he took command of the 565th Quartermaster Company.
1SG Smith’s military education includes Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course; Jungle Warfare Course; Contracting Officer Course; Recruiting Management Course; Opposing Force Course; Soviet Doctrine Course; and the Air Assault Course. 1SG Smith has an Associates Degree in Business from Barstow College and a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (8th OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal (2 Bronze Stars), Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Gold Recruiting Badge with 3 Sapphires.
During his time serving at the Bloomington Recruiting Station of the Central Illinois Recruiting Company, St. Louis Recruiting Battalion (June 2000- July 2003) he met Rashawn Louise Matthews, when the two of them happened to be the only ones to show up to the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church’s Friday Night Singles’ Fellowship. They married February 16, 2002. At the end of Jamal’s recruiting assignment, he received orders for Ft. Hood Texas. They arrived at Ft. Hood now Ft.Cavazos in August 2003.
When Jamal received orders to deploy to Iraq, in March 2004, he was in the Division Support Command Unit. In June 2008 as he was preparing to take over command of the 565th Quarter Master Company he and his wife suffered the loss of their son Jordan who was stillborn. In September 2009, Jamal and Rashawn welcomed the love of their lives, a beautiful bouncing baby girl, named Jamiyah. She was a miracle. Jamiyah has been an absolute joy and truly a “daddy’s girl”.
1SG Smith served three tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On his last deployment, he served as the First Sergeant for over 200 soldiers and ended his tour with no casualties of his soldiers. He diligently served his country and retired at the rank of First Sergeant in 2013.
After retiring from the Army, Jamal continued to give service to the military that supported him by working with the Mobilization Support Brigade assisting Soldiers in mobilizing and de-mobilizing into different areas of operation around the world. Life after retirement was good…working, supporting his family, raising his only child, continuing to cultivate bonds and relationships made throughout the years and being of service where needed.
In November 2017, Jamal joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of the Kappa Sigma Lambda Chapter.
Jamal was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herman and Juanita Pratt, Sr. and his son, Jordan Jashawn Smith.
Retired First Sergeant Jamal Milek Da’mon Smith leaves to cherish his memories and legacy, his loving wife Rashawn, precious daughter Jamiyah; proud mother, Juardine Patrick, his father, Barney L. Smith, Sr., three brothers: Jaunté (Teasha) Patrick: nephew Solomon; Mario (Marsha) Patrick, and Barney L. Smith, Jr.; three sisters: Kelly Smith, Cherise Johnson and Tenniqua Hayes; one uncle: Robert Gene Rambo; two aunts: (Rev.) Jeraldine and Lynell Pratt; great-aunt-in-law: Darlene Thompson; god-mother, Rochelle Stallings; god siblings: Shavonn Dyson and Sean Gilchrist; godchildren: Da’Jah and Da’Jon Daniel; Mother in love Ruth (Ted) Daniels; Sister in love Sandra Shelby and a host of relatives and friends including four special friends: Andre Owens Sr, Eric Prelow, Daniel “Smoke” Wallace, and Donyeal Cunningham; father figure Frederick Tyrone Ward; military brothers and sisters; Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; the First A.M.E. Zion Church, San Francisco, CA; Free In Jesus Fellowship, Lancaster, CA; Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Bloomington, IL and Greater Vison Community Church, Killeen, TX families.
Jamal ends his communications with, "Pressure Makes Diamonds"
