SP4 Melton Edward Smith entered the US Army from Kinston, North Carolina. He served with the Company A, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam from February 5, 1969 until he was killed on March 30, 1969. His death occurred at Tay Ninh Province South Vietnam of multiple fragmentation wounds. His name is located at panel 28W, line 94 of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.