William L. Smith Spur 18, Scout Pilot Oct '69 to Aug '70 Flight Class 69-19 September 24, 1948 - January 8, 2011 Elected as our Spur President in April 2010
To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord.
No more bleeding, no more fight,
No prayers pleading through the night,
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord.
Where no mothers cry and no children weep,
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep,
Though through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.
Remembering Smitty:
I have nothing but wonderful memories of serving with Bill in our Scout platoon under the extremely capable guidance of Scout Platoon Leaders Reynolds & Estep. My first impressions were that Bill was too young to be a pilot with his boyish looks and sense of humor. He treated all of us enlisted extremely well and in addition to his dangerous scout pilot duties he maintained our generators at DiAn. Of course he took good-natured jabs from all of us when the generators failed and our reel-to-reels, turn tables & fans ground to a halt!
One of the most memorable events for me was when Bill was on a mission and tore the left skid from his OH-6 when he made contact with a tree and all of us in scout maintenance at DiAn scrambled to remove the mini-gun, ammo, and gun mount, fill sandbags and place the jacks while Bill steadily hovered the bird with us working within inches of the spinning tailrotor. All worked out extremely well and he was able to set the bird down as if it was designed as such. Within a few days "The Pusher" was back in the AO.
I've also included an article below from The Redhorse Review in March 1970 provided by Spur 34, Terry Shulze, that features Bill and Sgt. Hill when we were operating out of Soc Trang in IV Corps, a day Bill never forgot!
Back to more recent times, I was extremely proud when Bill was elected as our Spur President at our reunion in April 2010 and know he would have done an excellent job if his health had not failed him.
I love my Brother Bill and will miss him immensely. It was an honor to serve with him in the Spurs and I'm so very thankful Pam & I had the chance to hook up with Bill and his wife, Vicki, at two Spur reunions. My heart goes out to Vicki, their three children and two granddaughters. Bill & Vicki were married shortly after Bill returned from Vietnam.
(L to R) Bill Smith, Roger Young, Waldo Pepper, Lester Nash, Dan Hackney 2008 Spur Reunion, San Antonio - Pam Young photo
In closing I have embedded the video below in honor of Bill, and know your Band of Brothers will never forget you...
March 1970 - REDHORSE REVIEW - Page 9 [Courtesy of Terry Shulze]
SILVER SPURS NEWS -- "Two Spurs fly by ammo doors"
The FM radio chattered harshly, "scramble the second team, a LOH is
down". Out in a paddy west of Soc Trang , WO1 Bill Smith from
Pittsburgh, Pa. and his observer, Sergeant Marion Hill from Mtn. Home
AFB, Idaho, leaped out of the burning wreckage of their now destroyed
LOH. No sooner had they cleared the flaming aircraft than the lead cobra
commanded by Cpt. Donald Duncan from Columbus, Ohio, landed to extract
the crew. While they hustled aboard the cobra's ammo bay doors , tail
cobra air commander CW2 Terry Shulze from Tacoma, Washington, pounded
the woodline that had been the source of hostile fire directed against
the LOH. Starting with his mini-gun, then rockets, and covering his
breaks with mini-gun fire, CW2 Shulze raked the area until Cpt. Duncan
could lift off and proceed to Soc Trang with the crew precariously
hanging on to the cobra's ammo doors.
WO1 Smith reflected upon the incident later that day, "All I could think
about was to get my observer and myself away from the ship, because the
min-gun ammo and grenades were starting to cook off and Charles was
shooting at us. " WO1 Smith commenting upon the cobra ride said, "The
finest sight I've ever seen was that cobra on its final approach coming
in to pick us up. We were soaked from the rice paddy and the ride back
was windy and cold, but it just didn't matter. The main thing was that
we were heading for home."
Luckily, neither the pilot nor the observer was injured, but, needless
to say, both will remember the events of the day, particularly that wild
ride on the cobra.
"IN THE OPEN!" by Terry Shulze
It started out as just another day in 'Nam. The breakfast was mediocre, but there were fresh apples - I took two, one to eat during the flight. The mission was more than just a light "pink" team; there were two Cobras, a Charlie-Charlie and the Scout. William "Smitty" Smith, Spur 18 was flying the Scout with Sgt. Marion Hill as his observer, Spur 37 was the lead Cobra and I, Spur 34 (Terry Shulze), had the wing position.
My "front-seater" was a second tour CW2 like me, can't remember his name, but we got along very well together. He had a lot more aviation experience than I did, whereas I had a bit more combat experience than he did. He eventually went over to "Bravo" company as the maintenance officer. One of the most brilliant pilots I ever flew with.
We depart Soc Trang and head South to an area only about 30 minutes from Soc Trang. Once we get out in the AO, 18 drops down for a look. It's quiet, the Gun Team is just cutting circles in the sky, round and round, keeping a watchful eye on the Scout. The Cobra I drew is the only Cobra left in the unit with a working air-conditioner, can't let this opportunity pass. I flick on the air-conditioner and place my apple in front of the left vent. The apple starts getting a layer of frost built up on it. I dial in AFVN on the FM radio and we settle in to delightful ride - air-conditioning and rock and roll - what a way to draw combat pay.
18 moves across the wet grasslands towards another tree line - as he swings around some nipa palm - "I got gooks in the open, in the open, I'm engaging"
I key a monologue on the internal intercom for my front-seater - "Don't do it, don't do it, they've got nowhere to go"
I had seen this scenario too many times before, when a man has no where to run to, he simply turns and takes very careful aim - it is the only chance he has. It is a scenario that has been played out for thousands of years, Sun Tzu in "The Art of War" writes about it. This time it is no different.
Within seconds, I see the Scout jerk harshly from a cyclic movement, the reeds below it flatten from the increase in collective pitch, no radio call - I know he's taking hits and the radio is already shot out.
"Shit! "Air-conditioning - off" (the air-conditioner bled off the turbine compressor) I flick off AFVN just as the flames begin licking down the left side of the Loach. I had seen plenty of helicopters shot down, but 18 is the first one I can remember where it was on fire before it hit the ground. It doesn't get far, it hits with forward air speed and tumbles. As soon as it stops moving, I see both guys exit at the same time - they're moving fast - good, looks like no serious injuries.
All of a sudden 37 calls out "I'm going after the Scout, cover me" and he drops down out of the orbit to pick them up on his ammo bay doors. I snap the Cobra over and down towards the tree line where 18 was taking the hits. My front seat starts spraying mini-gun. "Cease fire, cease fire - save the mini-gun for the breaks."
I start punching rockets all over the place. I get down to about 300-400 feet to draw fire from the Scout and continue to plaster the tree line. I call "left break, ready, GO" and whip the A/C over into a tight left turn, the front-seater blazing with the mini-gun on the word GO. As I start to come straight, I call "ready, STOP" as the mini-gun stops; I start punching rockets again. I don't want the mini-gun to jam. I position the A/C just along the tree line to again draw fire away from the Scout.
As I come straight, I pull the nose up a bit and fire a pair, then I drop the nose and the collective (relative wind across the tubes) to put a pair underneath me, then right, left, long, short. The bad guys can't tell where the next pair is going. A break opens in the tree line, I try to put a pair in the trees just on my side - the pair goes long and hits dead centre in the open - a wasted shot. I say "oops" on the intercom and my front-seater keys the mike, "nice shot". - We're cracking jokes in the middle of a war.
As I finish the run I key "right break, ready, GO" and around we go again with the mini-gun roaring. Again, "ready, STOP" and back along the tree line we go. I spot the break in the tree line early and put my rockets where I wanted, gotcha. Again, "left break, ready, GO" and around we go the mini-gun not missing a beat. The front-seater has the experience to keep it buzzing without promoting jams
As I start the run I hear "37's coming out" and I break away from the tree line to cover him, "Rog, 34's picking up your six". It takes about 3-4 seconds and I'm in position "34's got you covered". I have my air speed up so I start pulling "S" turns behind him to keep him covered while he builds up air speed. I can see the Scout team on the left ammo bay door. The wind buffeting their uniforms and their feet a long way from the ground.
Spur 37 keeps the speed down to about 80 knots and I take up a covering position back and lower than him, he can't use any of his armament with the team on the doors. When he gets to altitude I join him.
As we enter Soc Trang, 37 takes the Scout team over to the medivac pad. I go straight to the "snake pit" and re-arm and re-fuel. I am ready to go before 37 even gets back. I am monitoring the company frequency and I can hear that the contact is still going hot and heavy with our back up team. The Cobra is down on armament. The XO is calling for backup. Our operations officer tells the XO out in the AO that we are rearming. I tell 37 the XO wants another gunship and I'm ready, he tells me to sit tight.
As 37 arrives back at the "snake pit", the XO calls out again for gun support "I don't care what they've got, just get me a gunship". That's all I need, I murmur an expletive on the intercom, roll on the throttle and as the RPM builds I call "Soc Trang tower, Spur 34, I've got a hot contact, request immediate departure from the "Snake pit" - "Roger, 34, you're clear". I come straight out of the "Snake pit" under full power, heading down the runway, building speed.
As I'm heading down the runway, my experienced front-seater says, "why don't you request a left break after clearing the tower?" "What a good idea" I reply. "Soc Trang tower, Spur 34, request an immediate left break after clearing the tower". "Roger 34, you're clear".
Now, this is too good to pass up. How many times do you get to buzz the tower? I rise to the height of the tower and cut the turn close. As I go past, I tighten the turn even more so that the guys in the tower can look down into the cockpit. Were about 30 metres out, when we go flying buy. I tell the front-seater, "give 'em a wave, it must get boring up there". As he waves, I look over, the three guys in the tower are screaming, jumping up and down, waving their arms - they're more pumped than we are. After we pass, I can just imagine them saying, "who got a picture of that?" then realising none of them did.
As I get out to the AO the action has cooled off. 37 joins me about 10 minutes later and I pick up his wing position. After a while we return to Soc Trang. After shutting down, 37 calls me over for an ass chewing (I was a disciplinary problem, I got used to it). As he goes on, I realise he isn't chewing me out for buzzing the tower; he's chewing me out for leaving him in the "Snake pit". Whew! - I have an excuse for that one, and tell him the XO had called for the backup and I was responding to his request. Take it up with him.
Oh yeah, I ate my apple while the Scout team was being ferried into Soc Trang - it was still cold.
FLYING WEST
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy can buy a cold beer,
For a friend and a comrade, whose memory is dear;
A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread ,
Nor a management type would ere be caught dead;
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;
The kind of a place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung,
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door.
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here."
"For this is the place where true flyers come,"
"When their journey is over, and the war has been won."
"They've come here at last to be safe and alone"
"From the government clerks and the management clone,"
"Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,"
"Where all hours are happy, and these good ole boys"
"Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest;"
"This is heaven, my son......You've passed your last test!"
Author unknown. Submitted by Spur 16, Bill Reynolds
9 January 2011
My fellow brothers and Silver Spurs
By now you have received the sad news our brother Bill (Smitty) Smith, Silver Spur 18 has been called home by the Lord. I cannot put in words my sadness and grief of losing Smitty. As many of you know Smitty was a fine Trooper and a great friend to many of us. I did not have the honor of serving with him in Vietnam but I got to know him at the past reunions.
From our past experiences in Vietnam, we all know life and death is only one heart beat away. Regardless of your faith, we all know that time will age us and some day sooner or later we shall be called by God to our heavenly home. Would you take some time today and pray for Vicki and the children and their grandchildren. Ask God to give them strength, peace and an understanding of His mercy. Thank God for the opportunity to have served and known Smitty.
Please send a note or card of sympathy to Vicki. As of now, we do not know the arrangements of his funeral. If possible, attend his memorial service so we may show his family how we as Cavalry Troopers honor our fallen brothers.
Smitty, I shall miss you. We had some great time together at the reunions and I shall cherish those until the day God calls me home and we meet once again face to face in a heavenly home that has no sorrows, no pain, no sickness and no war. We shall be healed and live with our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus forever.
One more thing my brothers. Please, please come to the next reunion. That's how I met a great Trooper like Smitty.
BILL SMITH ENTERS FIDDLER'S GREEN by Spur 3, Chuck Oualline
Visitation for William Lee (Bill) Smith, our Silver Spur President, was held in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday evening, 11 January 2011. Many family members and friends attended. Jan and Chuck Oualline represented A Troop. Bill's Cavalry hat was prominently displayed with his remains. The family had prepared a tasteful display of Bill's awards and decorations, and had many photographs on hand, to include some made in Vietnam.
Bill's funeral service was conducted in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday morning, 12 January. Again, his Cavalry hat was displayed. About sixty people attended, and many of them were family members. Vicki seems to have a great support group of loving family members, and all three of Bill's children live in San Antonio. Several active duty Army soldiers were present, including one of Bill's nieces and soldiers from the Ft. Sam Houston unit where one of Bill's daughters works.
An Army chaplain in uniform presided over the service, and he invited persons who knew Bill to present remarks. Chuck Oualline gave a short eulogy on behalf of A Troop, and related the story of Bill's rescue in Vietnam, riding on the ammo bay door of a Cobra. One other friend, who attended our last Spur reunion with Bill, offered remarks and some appropriate songs. A granddaughter also spoke. Bill McCalister also represented A Troop.
A graveside service followed a short motorcade to Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Military honors were rendered, including volley fire, the folding and presentation of the flag, and playing of taps. The Veterans of Foreign Wars also participated and made a presentation to Vicki.
Silver Spur challenge coins were presented to all the family members, to the chaplain, and to the active duty honors participants, on behalf of A Troop. Many flowers were present, including a spray from A Troop and several sprays, wreaths, and plants from A Troop members.
"Once I Was A Soldier" by Roger "Bear" Young In honor of all my fellow Silver Spurs
The March/April issue of the VHPA Aviator contains the following on page 35 in the "Taps" section, which can be shared with our Silver Spur brothers:
TAPS
WILLIAM LEE SMITH (Photo)
William Lee Smith passed away on January 8, 2011, at the age of 62. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Vicki Wilson Smith. Bill graduated with Flight Class 69-19 and served in 1969-70 in A/3/17th Cav as Silver Spur 18. Bill was a member of VFW Post 8541 in San Antonio, The Alamo Chapter of the VHPA, and the president of our Silver Spur Veterans Association, which includes all ranks from the A/3/17th Cav. Bill retired as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA.
Roger "Bear" Young, the Spur webmaster who also served as a Scout Line Chief, wrote: "I have nothing but wonderful memories of serving with Bill in our scout platoon under the extremely capable guidance of scout platoon leaders Reynolds & Estep. My first impressions were that Bill was too young to be a pilot with his boyish looks and sense of humor. He treated all of us enlisted extremely well and in addition to his dangerous scout pilot duties he maintained our generators at Di An. Of course he took good-natured jabs from all of us when the generators failed and our refrigerators, reel-to-reels, turntables & fans ground to a halt! One of the most memorable events for me was when Bill was on a mission and tore the left skid from his OH-6 when he made contact with a tree and all of us in scout maintenance at Di An scrambled to remove the mini-gun, ammo, and gun mount, fill sandbags and place the jacks while Bill steadily hovered the bird with us working within inches of the spinning tail rotor. All worked out extremely well and he was able to set the bird down as if it was designed as such. Within a few days "The Pusher" was back in the AO." - Submitted by Chuck Oualline
November 5, 2013:
I just read about Smitty on the report and wanted to comment about the time we spent together in A-troop. Bill and I used to be partners playing pinochle at the end of the day. He always used to complain the I didn't know how to "bid" as we played with double deck- no nines. Many pleasant memories serving with Bill.
Robert Schmidt, Silver Spur 21
If you would like to post your memories of Bill, please contact Roger Young at: roger@northwestvets.com
