Following the outbreak of the Korean War, Smith's division was tasked with the training of replacement units for combat. 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. He retired on September 30, 1955 after 38 years of active service. Following his retirement, Smith settled in Washington, D.C. and died of kidney failure at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on January 24, 1974, aged 79. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. His wife, Mary Gorman Smith (1897-1987) is buried beside him. They had two sons: Albert Jr. and Robert (Colonel, USMA 1944). Here is Major general Smith´s ribbon bar: