Spike Nasmyth was born in 1940 in Billings, Montana. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Idaho on June 10, 1962, and went on active duty beginning September 26, 1962. Lt Nasmyth next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas, in October 1963, followed by Pilot System Operator Training in the F-4 Phantom II at MacDill AFB, Florida. He served with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill AFB from February 1964 to July 1965, and then with the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron, also at MacDill, until November 1965. Lt Nasmyth transferred to the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill in November 1965, and served with that squadron until deploying to Southeast Asia in July 1966. He flew combat missions with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from July 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on September 4, 1966. After spending 2,360 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973. Major Nasmyth was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and left the Air Force on November 30, 1973. He wrote the book "2355 Days, A POW's Story" in 1991, and in 2006 he published two books: "So You Want to be a Ferry Pilot" and "The Boys Who Bring in the Crop".

His Silver Star Citation reads:

For the Period September 1966. This officer distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the above period while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. This individual resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.