Joseph B. Smith

Joseph B. Smith (1826 – 8 March, 1862) was an officer in the United States Navy who was killed in action during the American Civil War.

Born in Belfast, Maine, Smith was appointed midshipman on 19 October, 1841. After graduating with the Class of 1847, he served at the Washington Navy Yard, in "Mississippi" and with the U.S. Coast Survey. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1855, and soon afterwards was assigned to the steam frigate "Merrimack", his station until 1857. Smith next had ordnance duty at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C.

In 1860, he was ordered to frigate, "Congress" as her Executive Officer. He was in command of "Congress" on 8 March, 1862, when she was attacked and destroyed by the Confederate ironclad, "Virginia", and lost his life in the action. When his father, Commodore Joseph Smith, heard of the surrender of "Congress", he said, “Then Joe is dead,” feeling that she never would have surrendered while his son lived.

Two ships have been named, USS "Smith", for him.

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