Colonel Mark Edward Smith, III was born in 1934 in Boston Massachusetts to Lieutenant Mark E. Smith, Jr. and Lilla F. Smith. He graduated from Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C.; West Point; Industrial College of the Armed Forces; National War College; and George Washington University with a Masters degree. He served 30 years in the United States Air Force (USAF). His Air Force services included: Associate Professor of Political Science at the Air Force Academy in Plans, Germany; speechwriter for the Secretary of the Air Force at NATO; Joint Chiefs of Staff's Chief of the Strategy Division in Vietnam; and Associate Dean of the National War College. He edited a book, American Defense Policy , which was adopted by the USAF ROTC. His military awards included: the Defense Superior Service with an oak leaf cluster (OLC); Air Force Legion of Merit with 2 OLCs; Bronze Star; Air Force Meritorious Service; Joint Commendation; and Air Force Commendation with 1 OLC.

After he retired from the Air Force, he served 14 years as a civilian in the Directorate of Administration and Management at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). He directed numerous studies including: OSD organization as mandated by Congress, Professional Military Education, Military Medical organization, and Department of Defense (DoD) Education.  His civilian awards included the DoD Medal for Distinguished Public Service, and two Secretary of Defense Awards for Superior Public Service.

His marriage to Edith Friedman ended in divorce and he married Mary Louise Williams in 1972. Together they raised five children: Deborah Hoskins, Christie Williams, David Meredith, Lauren Sheehan, and Mark Smith IV.

Mary Louise and Mark have eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a veteran's charity of your choosing.