Marine Sgt. Stephen Smith

Sgt. Stephen Smith, who wrapped up his last combat tour in 2011, continues to fight on behalf of his fellow Marines. Now, his weapon of choice is paint and canvas.

Smith is everything a Marine infantryman should be. Though injured by an improvised explosive device attack in March 2010, he returned to his unit and was soon made fire team leader despite having only one year in service. He attended Infantry Squad Leader’s Course as a lance corporal and was received a meritorious combat promotion to corporal during his second deployment to Marjah, Afghanistan. He later completed a tour as a recruiting in which he was named Recruiter of the Year for Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Then the symptoms of his traumatic brain injury surfaced. Smith soon found that the careful discipline of art brought needed focus, and helped him confront emotions held in check. Now attached to Camp Lejeune’s Wounded Warrior Battalion in North Carolina, he uses art as a therapeutic tool to help injured Marines cope and heal, and help families find closure. In April, he helped create the “TBI Art Club,” a venue where any service member can use art as an outlet for emotional distress. He also collaborates with various non-profit organizations such as Hope for the Warrior, American Red Cross, and the Purple Heart Art Project.

Smith regularly collaborates with nonprofit organizations such as Hope for the Warrior, the American Red Cross and the Purple Heart Art Project. That work has helped him better understand the needs of wounded warriors and their families.

“Sgt. Smith has developed from a patient to mentor despite serious setbacks due to his medical condition,” said Capt. William Liu, Smith’s immediate supervisor. “[He] is a selfless leader who, despite his condition, will stop at nothing to help his fellow Marines and their families.”