Smith, "Bill" (William Jr.)
Swimming
b. May 16, 1924, Honolulu, Hawaii
Stricken with typhoid fever when he was six years old, Smith began swimming in irrigation ditches on a Hawaiian sugar plantation to build up his strength. He entered Ohio State University in 1942. After military service during World War II, he returned to school in 1947.
Smith won NCAA titles in the 220-yard freestyle in 1943 and in the 220- and 440-yard events from 1947 through 1949. He was the AAU national outdoor champion in the 400-meter freestyle in 1941, the 220- and 880-yard freestyles in 1942; the 100-meter in 1946; and the 200-meter in 1946 and 1947. Indoors, he won the 100-yard freestyle in 1944, the 220- and 440-yard freestyle in 1943, 1944, 1947, and 1948.
Smith won a gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the 1948 Olympics and was also a member of the gold medal 4 by 200-meter relay team. He retired from competition after the Olympics to become water safety director for the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.