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JOHN RAYMOND SMITH
Army - CWO - W1
Age: 27
Race: Caucasian
Sex: Male
Date of Birth Nov 20, 1942
From: COLUMBUS, GA
Religion: BAPTIST
Marital Status: Married
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Aug 2, 1969
Casualty was on Apr 30, 1970
In BINH THUY, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 11W - Line 77
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Woodrow Glenton Royster Jr (1961)
Many probably don't remember Jack from high school because he was a transfer student our senior year (61) was acquainted with Jack through Tom Dobrosky. Jack only lived a block from me out Buena Vista Road. He was such a likable guy, I also got to know his mom and dad. His dad was a Sgt/Major at Benning. Jack and his dad loved to fish as well as myself and we fished many times prior to graduation. Jack and I double dated as well in high school. After graduation I did not see much of Jack or Tom, I joined the Army and while on leave I caught with the two of them in the fall of 61. We got to talking both had decided to join the Army I was given the privilege of taking them down to the recruiter and I received a letter that stated I had gotten the two of them to join the Army and I should be given 2 three day passes. Tom and Jack went in on the buddy system through basic training. I later caught up with Tom after he gotten out in 65. he and I are still close friends to this day.
As for Jack, I got to see him a couple times after that.. Until July of 1969 Jack came to visit his parents while in route to Viet Nam. Jack, his dad and I stayed up all night the morning before he was to leave for Viet Nam. We spend most of the night under the Halawacka Creek bridge fishing for crappie and did we ever catch them.
About 3 in the morning we came home cleaned fish and fried them and enjoyed one another.
Jack had a flight to catch out of the Muscogee County Airport a 9 AM heading to Viet Nam. His mom just couldn't bare to see him off, his dad I took him to the airport. Jack had a wife and daughter I never got to see them but once while visiting, his wife was from Germany.
Jack was a helicopter pilot he was a CWO, I'll never forget his funeral at Ft.Benning, they had a fly bye of helicopters with a broken formation. I stayed in touch with Jack's family here; his dad, mom and sister passed away a few years back. Let's not forget this fallen soldier and good friend.
Woody Royster 61
Lavonda Joy "Bonnie" Jernigan (McNeese) (1962)
Thank you for sharing. Even now I shed tears for a fallen hero. May his soul be with God.Edwin A Keeney (1962)
"Let us not mourn that such men died, but rejoice that such men lived".
General George S. Patton
Ed Keeney "62"
Ismael S. Nazario (1961)
He is a hero in my book
Marlene Carr (Lantzer) (1975)
Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten. You are in our hearts forever. Marlene Carr Lantzer BHS'75
Danny Williams (1975)
RIP>DANNY WILLIAMS BHS75