A surface mount component adapter, assembly and related method for attaching a surface mount component to a printed circuit board. The surface mount component adapter includes a substrate, a surface mount component holder on the substrate, and flexible leads each having a base end attached to the surface mount component holder and a free end configured to engage a plated through hole on a circuit board. The surface mount component holder is configured to engage electrical contacts of a surface mount component. The surface mount component assembly combines the surface mount adapter with the surface mount component. In the surface mount component method, the surface mount assembly is formed and the free ends of the flexible leads are attached to a corresponding number of the plated through holes on the circuit board.