George Smith’s Journey to a Broadcast Career
In 1987, George Smith made his return to AFN Nuremberg as an Army civilian after a tenure at Voice of America in Washington, D.C. He commanded a team comprising 14 service members and government civilians and relocated the station from Nuremberg, Germany, to the former William O’Darby Kaserne in Fuerth. Today, the station is known as AFN Bavaria, situated in Vilseck. (George Smith)
During the Vietnam War era, George Smith, a somewhat disheartened student, found himself at an Army recruitment office in Pennsylvania Dutch country, leading to a radio career that spanned four decades. Known as “Gorgeous George,” Smith started with limited opportunities — finishing at the bottom of his high school class in 1972 and working a low-paying job at a car wash.
One day, inspired by his former guidance counselor’s tales of Army DJs in West Germany, Smith declared to the recruiter, “I want to sign up for that.” When prompted to consider combat roles instead, he firmly replied, “No, I’d much rather talk for my country.” Thus began his transformation from a life of mundane tasks to one filled with adventure.
Throughout his journey, Smith spun records in diverse locations from Thailand to South Korea and Germany, interviewing notable figures from rock stars to politicians and covering significant historical events.
Memoir Highlights and Themes
In his self-published memoir, “Soldier of the Airwaves: Defending Democracy One Song at a Time,” Smith narrates the pivotal moments of his career and the fateful day he joined the Army. The book recounts his 44-year tenure, including 32 years abroad with the American Forces Network (AFN), which provides entertainment and news to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, former commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, praised Smith’s efforts in influencing overseas audiences by sharing American culture through music and storytelling in the book’s foreword. Hertling reminisced about hearing Smith on air during his time in Europe and their eventual meeting in 2011.
Smith’s Legacy and Conclusion
Smith, inspired to pen his memoir during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to tell the wider story of military journalists. He meticulously gathered details by relying on notebooks, newspaper articles, and conversations with friends to ensure the accuracy of his accounts.
His memoir also pays tribute to fellow military broadcasters, listing those who have influenced his career and highlighting the loss of his colleagues. Smith’s book is available on Amazon in various formats and has garnered numerous reviews from readers who resonate with his experiences.
