Second Lieutenant Brian Drew Smith grew up in McKinney, Texas where he participated in the Boy Scouts Troop 303, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and graduating from McKinney High School in 1990. He went on to attend the University of Texas where he graduated in 1994 with a degree in History. Smith later attended Baylor University School of Law and received his law degree in 1998.

After practicing law for a couple of years in Austin, Brian decided to fulfill his childhood dream, and joined the Army in January of 2003 where he was trained as a Tank Commander. Brian deployed to Iraq and served as a Platoon Leader with A Company, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Smith was shot while leading a patrol in Habbaniyah, Iraq and died as a result of his wounds.

Brian loved to correspond with family, friends, and an ever-growing list of readers and colleagues, with his thoughts and observations concerning the conflict in Iraq. He was Brilliant.