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Detail from a self-portrait of William Smock in Iraq. Signed "WM Smock 10 Dec 05."

Veterans History Project Service Summary:

  • War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Branch of Service: Army
  • Unit of Service: 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery Regiment, 76th Infantry Brigade; Indiana Army National Guard
  • Location of Service: Indiana; Iraq
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/77706

View full service history

"That was the best part of my military career, being deployed." (Audio interview, 49:28)

Lieutenant Colonel William Dean Smock was in his mid-fifties when he first deployed to Iraq with the Army in 2005. His journey there was unique: after his assignment to an engineer company kept him stateside during Vietnam, he spent several decades in the Indiana National Guard, only to resign his commission and become a warrant officer in order to deploy to the Middle East. An art teacher in his civilian life, he spent his off-duty time painting watercolors of the sights and scenes of his two deployments (in 2005 and 2008), over 100 of which are now part of his Veterans History Project collection. Working alfresco, he would chat with passerby while painting and earned a reputation on base as "the artist." Vivid and evocative, his paintings have been made into calendars, exhibited at the National Veterans Art Museum, and in one special case, given to President Bush.

William Dean Smock Collection
Interview / Recording

More Resources

[ Personnel Qualification Record ]
[ Memoir and photocopy of a watercolor painting, "Paintings from Iraq 2005." ]
[ January page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Soldier fueling a helicopter. ]
[ February page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Female soldier with bulldozer in the background. ]
[ March page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Soldiers at work pouring concrete. ]

Show more resources (102)

[ April page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Male soldier next to helicopter. ]
[ May page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Soldiers saluting flags. ]
[ June page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Female officer in uniform. ]
[ July page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Two male soldiers raising or lowering flags. ]
[ August page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Female soldier seated with rifle. ]
[ September page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Soldier with child. ]
[ October page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Construction vehicle. ]
[ November page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Two male soldiers with construction equipment. ]
[ December page from a 2009 calendar with paintings in watercolor and oil paint by veteran. Soldier at work while four additional solders look on. ]
[ Painting of an Army soldier facing left, "Burke" on his name tag ]
[ Painting of an Army soldier lifting another soldier to look over a barrier ]
[ Painting of an Army soldier on patrol in Iraq ]
[ Painting of the rear of a military vehicle on patrol on an Iraqi street ]
[ Painting of an unidentified scene, Iraq ]
[ Painting of an Iraqi soldier seated at a picnic table, gazing at the "Corps Castle" logo for the Army Corps of Engineers painted on a wall ]
[ Painting of a fortified building, possibly on an Army base in Iraq ]
[ Painting of unidentified building, possibly living quarters, with generators (?) on roof and grafiti on wall reading "Hell Hounds" with flames ]
[ Painting of an unidentified structure with sign, "East Chicago," basketball court, military vehicle and soldier ]
[ Painting of an unidentified structure with signage, "The Viper's Nest 113 BN EN" and "Wrigley Field Home of Chicago Cubs" with Cubs insignia ]
[ Painting of a soldiers with a military loader moving concrete barriers ]
[ Painting of soldiers guarding a construction site, a truck and bulldozers at work in background ]
[ Painting of soldiers in Humvees in the field ]
[ Painting of soldiers seated at picnic tables behind concrete barriers ]
[ Painting of shops catering to soldiers, possibly on a military base, "Tailors," "barber," and "Omar's Leather Shop." ]
[ Painting of a guard post behind barbed wire and concrete ]
[ Painting of a picnic table under camoflage netting, with Chicago Cubs penants ]
[ Painting of the doors of soldier housing, with names of soldiers on the doors ]
[ Painting of the corner of a housing unit and a door with American flag and an "I (Heart) Hooters" sticker above a window ]
[ Painting of soldiers on patrol with two US Army Stryker wheeled armoured infantry carrier vehicle with wire cage ]
[ Painting of soldiers with Humvees with turret mounts on roof ]
[ Painting of soldier working on the wood frame of a structure ]
[ Painting of the entrance to "Wolverine Chapel." ]
[ Painting of an unidentified structure, possibly living quarters, with doors open ]
[ Painting of an unidentified structure with the Army Corps of Engineers "Corps Castle" logo and a slogan, "We Ain't Fixing Shit" ]
[ Painting of military construction vehicles and a tanker truck at an Army depot ]
[ Painting of an Army depot with storage containers and construction vehicles. A large water tank looms at center rear with Corps insignias painted on it while helicopters fly overhead ]
[ Painting of an Army loader at work ]
[ Painting of two soldiers using a saw on a trolley to cut concrete. ]
[ Painting of a soldier overseeing the installation of concrete barriers ]
[ Painting of a female soldier standing in front of a door with a Red Cross insignia beside it and a message on a white board, "In heaven an angel is nobody in particular." ]
[ Painting of a soldier with a dog, the name "Wiens" on the soldier's name tag. ]
[ Painting of a woman seated beneath a tree on a beach ]
[ Painting of s soldier sighting through his rifle's scope ]
[ Painting of a soldier sighting through the scope of a sniper rifle, his finger on the trigger, while another soldier looks over his shoulder ]
[ Painting of a construction vehicle in dust and sand ]
[ Painting of a fire truck and tanker truck parked outside a garage ]
[ Painting of a sign, "Marez Station Two" Mosul, Iraq ]
[ Painting of a military vehicle and fire trucks outside a garage, Marez Station Two, Mosul, Iraq ]
[ Painting of fire and rescue vehicles outside with garage bays open behind them, a basketball hoop at left ]
[ Painting of a mosque from behind surrounding walls ]
[ Painting of a woman in civilian clothing, from a photograph (?) with the digital date of 12/9/2005 ]
[ Painting of soldiers seated underneath a camoflage shelter beneath a tree; one of the soldiers has his rifle across his knees. Signed "Wm. Smock 24 Aug 05" ]
[ Painting of a helicopter at rest on landing pad ]
[ Painting of soldiers relaxing on a platform at the back of a truck parked underneath a canopy. Signed "Wm. Smock 24 Apr 05." ]
[ Painting of a blimp tethered to a military installation below ]
[ Painiting of a fortified military installation. Signed "Wm. Smock 14 Jul 05." ]
[ Painting of soldiers in shorts and tee shirts pitching horseshoes ]
[ Painting of an unidentified landscape ]
[ Painting of military tents signed "Wm Smock 2 Jun 05." ]
[ Painting of camoflage netting covering military supplies and concrete barricades. Signed "Wm Smock 8 May 05." ]
[ Painting of a soldier standing on rocks in a field with flowers growing around him ]
[ Painting of soldiers enjoying a game of poker. Signed "Wm Smock 4 Jun 05." ]
[ Painting of "Tower 24" with a soldier standing in it; a portopotty at right labeled "KBR 118." ]
[ Painting of a field artillery piece at base of fortified walls. Signed "Wm Smock 27 May 05." ]
[ Painting of a generator hooked up to a military vehicle ]
[ Painting of an unmanned guard tower along a perimeter fence ]
[ Painting of individual officer's quarters. Signed "Wm Smock 9 Jul 04." ]
[ Painting of a tent with a plastic lawn chair in the doorway, covered by camoflage netting. Signed "Wm Smock 27 Apr 05." ]
[ Painting of a soldier relaxing in a common area, sheltered by a canopy. Signed "Wm Smock 1 May 05." ]
[ Painting of a female soldier seated outside. Signed "Wm Smock 2 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of two soldiers in profile, seated. Signed "Wm Smock 14 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of an unidentified structure. Signed "Wm Smock 6 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of several soldiers seated outside a base health clinic ]
[ Painting of a guard post surrounded by concrete barriers, a sign on the roof depicting a soldier with a cigarette, "Hobo Bastards 15." Signed "Wm Smock 4 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of an unidentified military structure, a sign on a tree reading "Bobcat Alley." Signed "Wm Smock 2 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of a soldier holding a child. Signed "WM Smock 23 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of a US Army Stryker infantry carrier with wire cage on the side of a road. Signed "WM Smock 12 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of sentry post with barbed wire and signs, "Speed Limit 5 MPH" and "All parking Out Back." The sign "Bobcat Country" is above the guard gouse window. Signed "WM Smock 28 Jul 05." ]
[ Painting of a US Army Stryker infantry carrier with a soldier in a gun turret above and two soldiers resting on the lowered ramp at back of vehicle. Signed "WM Smock 30 Jul 05." ]
[ Painting of several parked US Army Stryker infantry carriers with wire cages. Signed "WM Smock 3 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of a pavilion draped with camoflage netting with a sign, "1st Battalion 5th infantry Regiment 'Bobcats'." Signed "WM Smock 31 Jul 05." ]
[ Painting of a US Army Stryker infantry carrier with wire cage on patrol on an Iraqi street. Signed "WM Smock 17 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of a soldier in combat gear with an M249 light machine gun pointed over a brick wall. Signed "WM Smock 11 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of the rear of two US Army Stryker infantry carriers driving down a dusty road. A soldier in the back of one of the vehicles raises a fist. Signed by "WM Smock 7 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of the rear of a US Army Stryker infantry carrier driving down an Iraqi street. Signed "WM Smock 20 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of a US Army Stryker infantry carrier parked. Signed "WM Smock 26 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of several soldiers on a rooftop, many with rifles pointed at something below. Signed "WM Smock 25 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of soldiers in combat gear running along a street lined with concrete barriers decorated in the colors of the Iraqi flag. Signed "WM Smock 28 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of an Army truck backed up to a building and concealed by camoflage netting ]
[ Painting of a street on an Army base in Iraq, barbed wire fencing around the perimeter. Signed "WM Smock 28 Aug 05." ]
[ Painting of three soldiers on patrol, Iraqi civilians behind them. Signed "WM Smock 20 Sep 05." ]
[ Self-portrait of William Smock in desert camo fatigues, holding a rifle. Signed "WM Smock 10 Dec 05." ]
[ Painting of a soldier in combat gear, the name "Sapper" on his name tag. Signed "WM Smock 1 Apr 07." ]
[ Painting of a Humvee parked outside a military structure. Signed "WM Smock 7 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of a soldier with the Army Ranger patch on his shoulder sleeve and the name "Gallardo" on his name tag. Signed "WM Smock 16 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of a military building, a water tank with the Airborne insignia on it in the background. Signed "WM Smock 8 Sep 05." ]
[ Painting of military bulldozers working in the desert. Signed "WM Smock 12 Jul 08." ]
[ Painting of a military bulldozer and loader at work in the desert. Signed "WM Smock 17 Jul 08." ]
[ Painting of two soldiers outside an Aid Station, a bicycle leaning against the wall. Signed "WM Smock 22 Aug 08." ]
[ Painting of a soldier, the name "Fischer" on his name tag, standing along a riverbank where a highway bridge is being built over the river. Signed "WM Smock 12 Aug 08." ]
[ Painting of soldiers and a military vehicle on a dusty street lined with barriers. Signed "WM Smock 14 Jul 08." ]
[ Painting of military fire and rescue personnel cleaning their vehicles. Signed "WM Smock 22 Oct 08." ]

About this Item

Title

  • William Dean Smock Collection

Names

  • Lugar, Richard
  • U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar
  • Brouillette, Susan
  • Smock, William Dean

Home State

  • Indiana

Headings

  • -  Smock, William Dean
  • -  Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
  • -  United States. Army.

Repository

  • Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Gender

  • Male

Race

  • White

Status

  • veteran

Service History

  • Iraq War, 2003-2011

    • Branch of Service: Army
    • Unit of Service: 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery Regiment, 76th Infantry Brigade; Indiana Army National Guard
    • Location of Service: Indiana; Iraq
    • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    • Dates of Service: 1971-2009
    • Entrance into Service: Commissioned
    • Military Status: veteran

Materials

  • Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2008-06-28; 2009-03-15)
  • Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2011-01-12)
  • Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected unknown)
  • Manuscript: Biographical information [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
  • Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2007-04-06)
  • Manuscript: Creative works [1 item] -- (collected unknown)
  • Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
  • Photograph: Photocopy of Photographic Print [6 items] -- Photograph (collected unknown)

Collection Number

  • AFC/2001/001/77706

Cite as

  • William Dean Smock Collection (AFC/2001/001/77706), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Online Format

  • audio
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

Using VHP Material in Publication or Exhibition

The Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service. The Veterans History Project Collection includes oral histories along with documentary materials such as original letters, diaries, photographs, and memoirs.

Veterans and interviewers contribute these materials to the Library for scholarly and educational purposes, retaining any copyright they may hold. Therefore, permission must be obtained before using the interview or other materials in exhibition or publication. Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these materials should contact the Veterans History Project for assistance.

As a publicly supported institution, the Library generally does not own rights to material in its collections. Therefore, it does not charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot give or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material in its collections. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item from the Library’s collections and for securing any necessary permissions rests with persons desiring to use the item.

Please contact us with questions.

Obtaining Copies of VHP Materials

In order for VHP materials to be duplicated, we must receive written permission from the interviewee for you to obtain a copy of the recording unless the proposed use is limited to personal use, research, or other uses permissible by copyright law. If the interviewee is deceased, their next-of-kin may grant written permission.

Please contact VHP for assistance if you need to contact a veteran for permission to use their materials in exhibition or publication, or if you have received permission from the veteran and need access to high-resolution copies of VHP collection materials.

Citing VHP Materials

Please use the following formats when citing Veterans History Project materials (substituting the appropriate name and collection ID number).

Materials as a whole:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Manuscript material:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Memoirs (MS02), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Transcript (MS04), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Correspondence (MS01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Recording:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Audio recording (SR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Video recording (MV01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Photograph:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH01), photographer unknown, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH03-PH14), Ralph Williams photographer, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Computer file:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Computer file (CF01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Artifact:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Artifact (AR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Lugar, Richard, U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar, Susan Brouillette, and William Dean Smock. William Dean Smock Collection. 1971. Personal Narrative. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.77706/.

APA citation style:

Lugar, R., U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar, Brouillette, S. & Smock, W. D. (1971) William Dean Smock Collection. [Personal Narrative] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.77706/.

MLA citation style:

Lugar, Richard, et al. William Dean Smock Collection. 1971. Personal Narrative. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.77706/>.