In continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University named Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Smalley the honorary captain during its home opening football game Sept. 7.
Smalley graduated from Northwestern State with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology in 1979. He commanded the Black Knights Drill Team and commissioned as an infantry officer through NSU’s ROTC program.
With 28 years of military service, Smalley retired from the Army in 2007. He is a graduate of the Defense Strategy Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Star; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass & “M” Device; Army Service Ribbon; and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
Smalley is a native of Keithville and was joined during the honors by his son, James. He was escorted on-field by NSU’s President James Genovese and Professor of Military Science Lieutenant Colonel Josh Drake.
Information on NSU’s Department of Military Science is available at https://www.nsula.edu/rotc/.
