THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Cpl David Smith, Thank you for your service as a Helicopter Mechanic. I researched you on your 73rd birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Winter will end soon, and it is Lent. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Corporal David Leland Smith, Served with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 167 (HML-167), Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

On August 18, 1970, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter gunship UH-1E (tail number 154969) from Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 167 (HML-167) was providing close air support for a group of Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines being extracted from the Hoi An area when it was hit by hostile ground fire, crashed, and burned. There were no survivors. A CH-53 helicopter from HMH-463 was to extract the ROK Marine group who had been on patrol. The landing zone had been reported cold, and during the approach, and at the beginning of the consequent extraction, no fire was taken. While climbing to altitude, the CH-53 crew saw tracers and called that they were taking fire. Radio communications indicated that one of the gunships providing air cover was going in to suppress the fire. As the CH-53 continued its climb, they heard the gunship pilot call, "I'm hit.” Further communications revealed that the gunship had gone down. The lost crew included aircraft commander 1LT Joseph H. Shelton III, pilot 1LT Ralph N. Duemling, and crewmen CPL Thomas H. Pappenheim and CPL David L. Smith. The CH-53 dropped off the ROK Marines at their base, picked up a fresh group, and went back to the crash site. The ROK'S set up a defensive perimeter, and a ROK and U.S. corpsman recovered the remains and put them on the aircraft. They were flown to 1st Medical Battalion. It was later reported that the X-rays done by 1st Med found several bullets in the pilot’s remains. [Taken from popasmoke.com and vhpa.org]

From Parris Island, MCAS Memphis Tn., MCAS New River, NC till we received our orders to Vietnam. We were more than friends we were truly Brothers. I think of you always. I Cherish my memories of those few years together and how you were so much a part of my life. I celebrate your life and hold back the tears when thinking of your death. SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI

Semper Fidelis, Corporal.