THE FAITH OF A FATHER, CLEON SMITH

THE FAITH OF A FATHER, CLEON Smith
Cleon Smith is a Coast Guard Academy Graduate in the Class of 1978. He was a Classmate of Vice Admiral Manson K. Brown, the Coast Guard’s first African-American 3-Star Admiral.

Cleon is also the Father of Cadet Webster Smith, the first Coast Guard Academy cadet to be punished by a General Court-martial. Cleon Smith never lost faith in his son. He knew his son was not guilty of a Crime under the Uniform Code Of Military Justice (UCMJ).

He tried very hard to resolve the matter. He went to meet with Douglas Wiznieuski, the Commandant of Cadets. CDR Wiznieuski was hell bent to Court-martial his son. He would not settle for a Summary Court-martial, or a Special Court-martial That could have sentenced his son to 6 months in jail. No, CDR Wiznieuski wanted a General Court-martial that could have sentenced his son to jail for 20 years to Life. He wanted to make an example out of Webster. He had the backing of The Academy Superintendent Admiral James Van Sice and Connecticut Congressman Christopher Shays. They wanted to send a message to the World. They did not care whether Senior Cadet Webster Smith was Innocent or Guilty.

The Coast Guard Academy had been the first Military Academy to admit female cadets. In the era of complaints of sexual assaults on female cadets, these men wanted to be the first Academy to punish a male cadet for assault and harassment. The Academy wanted to reassure the Alumni of female cadets that their daughters were safe, and Congressman Shays wanted to get re-elected. He saw this as a great Election Year issue. Unfortunately he was wrong. He lost his next election.

(Pictured above USCGA Class of 1978. Cleon Smith is Top Row, Farthest Right. Manson Brown is Bottom Row, farthest Left.)