Uri "Tony" Smith French III

Tony was born on August 23, 1937, in Elmira, NY to Uri S. French, Jr. and Joan French (nee Lewis). Tony’s father was somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades, accepting opportunities wherever they might take him and, in his case, that was from New York to California and back. For 15 years, Tony was a middle child between older sister Carli and younger brother Denny before his brother Michael was born. Tony had a childhood typical of those pre- and post-War years with a lot of time spent outside the home; split between being a kid and working jobs to help support the family. Tony’s father, an accomplished equestrian and polo player, provided Tony with the opportunity to spend a lot of time around horses. Tony often said, when he played ‘cowboy’ it was on a real horse! Tony’s mother, a gifted artist, instilled in him a sense of strength, a love of conversation, and deep appreciation for good food. As a teenager, Tony excelled in football and baseball, played several instruments in the school band, and acted in high school productions. He also worked part-time in a butcher shop putting both money and food on his family table. He received a partial scholarship to the State University of New York at Buffalo but chose instead to enlist in the Army.

Upon his enlistment, Tony was sent to Fort Benning, GA for basic training. At Fort Benning, his natural leadership ability was quickly recognized, and he was offered the opportunity to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK. Upon graduation in 1957, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery. His first assignment as a Forward Observer in the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, set forever his love of jumping out of airplanes as a way of ‘getting to work’ and jumped over 600 times before retiring. Tony served several tours in Germany separated by an unaccompanied tour in Korea and followed by a deployment to Vietnam in 1969. Upon his return from Vietnam, Tony attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS where he simultaneously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Benedictine College in 1971. He was then assigned as Commander, 1/319th Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division. After his second assignment at Fort Bragg, Tony served in the Pentagon on the Army Staff as a Plans Officer. He then attended and graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Upon graduation, he returned to the Pentagon as Assignment Officer and Chief of Assignments, for the Army Military Personnel Center. Again, simultaneously with his active-duty assignment, Tony graduated with a Master of Arts in Management from Central Michigan University. He was next assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, in Germany, as the Commander, Division Artillery. Upon his return from Germany, he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as Chief of Staff, 1st Army, Fort Meade, MD. He once again returned to the 82nd Airborne Division as the Assistant Division Commander, Support and, over a three-month period, commanded the Division in the absence of the then Commanding General. His last assignment was as Commander, 4th ROTC Region at Fort Lewis, Washington, retiring in 1987. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device, Air Medal with V device and Master Parachutist Badge. In recognition of his many military and leadership achievements – from that moment arriving, by train, in Georgia through to his retirement across the country in Washington state – Tony was inducted into the Artillery OCS Hall of Fame.

A beloved husband, brother, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, Tony’s impact was felt by everyone whose lives he touched. He genuinely cared about others and took time to get to know every person he met by name and story. Known for his sense of humor and quick wit, the ‘master of ceremony’ duties routinely fell to Tony in both his military and civilian life. He even found himself with a second career of sorts; acting in commercials and films. Tony loved playing golf; in part to enjoy the challenges of the game but moreover to spend time with his close friends and comrades in arms, ‘The Boys’. When he wasn’t playing golf, he was at home with “Linnie,” his wife of 34 years who he loved dearly. In his final years, Linda was always by his side loving him, caring for him and making sure there were mini Heath bars in the freezer.

Tony is survived by his wife Linda; his children and stepchildren – Michael (Joanna), Mary-Catherine (Dan), Carlie (Joel), Kim (Dwight), and Sean; his grandchildren Carly, J.P. (Christina), Jen (Aaron), Cate (Kyle), Michael (Kara), Will, Brian, Ted (Dakota), Colin (Rose), and Brandon; fifteen great grandchildren, his brother Michael (Virginia) and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joan and Uri, his sister Carli and his brother Denny.

A celebration of life and interment with military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday January 14th at 11:00am

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), in honor of U.S. French III, BG U.S. Army (Ret).

As we mourn the loss of Tony, we celebrate a life well led. A patriot and soldier who will be missed dearly. “Airborne, Sir!”