in 1964 smith worked for trans world airlines and as a postal carrier, working the two jobs in order to save money to purchase a home for his new wife and himself. in 1966 smith was drafted into the marine corps where he spent two years in vietnam, being honorably discharged with a purple heart in 1968 due to injury. the physical impact of agent orange caused health issues that continue to this day. he was also severely psychologically and spiritually impacted from experiences there, resulting in smith's divorce and increasing posttraumatic stress disorder through 18 years of post-combat struggle before finding his calling as an artist.