HONORED ON PANEL 8W, LINE 95 OF THE WALL
JOL NEBANE SMITH
WALL NAME
JOL N SMITH
PANEL / LINE
8W/95
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
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LEFT FOR JOL NEBANE SMITH
POSTED ON 1.9.2024
POSTED BY: John Fabris
honoring you....
Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from James Higgins is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….
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POSTED ON 3.23.2022
POSTED BY: Lucy Micik
Thank You
Dear Lt Jol Smith, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander - Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Spring has begun, and it's 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.
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POSTED ON 5.25.2020
POSTED BY: Larry Matson
Escort Officer
I was Joel’s escort office who brought him from California to Santa Fe We were the same age and same rank. I am al aye saddened to think he never saw his unborn child or possible grand children It has been 50 years Cannot believe the time and how blessed I have been
I will never forget taking Jol to his final resting place RIP. Larry Matson
I will never forget taking Jol to his final resting place RIP. Larry Matson
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POSTED ON 11.11.2019
POSTED BY: James Higgins
To my Coach, Mentor, and Friend
My name is James "Jimmy" Higgins. Jol was my swimming coach in Santa Fe. He took over my training after John Guzman. Jol was everything to me. The way he treated me was motivational and talked to my heart. The last time I saw Jol was at his wedding to Lynn, and I was very saddened when he left.. At 14, his death was devastating for me. In just a few years, he had become my trusted mentor, and he meant the world to me. God Bless you Jol, and all of your family. I think of you often. Jimmy
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POSTED ON 3.11.2019
POSTED BY: Fred Pollock
To my friend Jol Smith. I’ll always remember you.
Hi Jol, Long time. I found you here because I started dreaming and thinking about that August day near Bu Dop again. I’ll never forget our conversation as we stood next to the runway at An Loc that morning waiting to fly to Bu Dop to cover our slicks as they extracted that beat up Arvn unit walking out of Cambodia with many sick with malaria. You new something bad was going to happen there and I told you not to say things like that. I’m sorry. You spoke about your wife as you did every day. I know how much you missed her.
My memory of us flying through the NVA antiaircraft fire is still vivid. I can still hear Jim calling out “taking fire” over the radio. The NVA focused everything on you guys and missed us. We rolled in and fired most of our rockets. The mini guns jammed after a hundred or so rounds. The door gunners kept banging away until they were out. Then we turned to watch you guys heading for that clearing to the south. When Jim said they hit your transmission I knew you guys were in trouble. Still, you guys did a great job trying to get her down in one piece. I thought you were going to do it. You came so close.
It never occurred to me until years later that the NVA scouts knew exactly where the ARVN unit was heading to be extracted. The big LZ west of Bu Dop was the most logical place. They sited their aa guns accordingly. I really missed you back at Lai Khe. You were a great friend, Jol. I hope we’ll meet again someday.
My memory of us flying through the NVA antiaircraft fire is still vivid. I can still hear Jim calling out “taking fire” over the radio. The NVA focused everything on you guys and missed us. We rolled in and fired most of our rockets. The mini guns jammed after a hundred or so rounds. The door gunners kept banging away until they were out. Then we turned to watch you guys heading for that clearing to the south. When Jim said they hit your transmission I knew you guys were in trouble. Still, you guys did a great job trying to get her down in one piece. I thought you were going to do it. You came so close.
It never occurred to me until years later that the NVA scouts knew exactly where the ARVN unit was heading to be extracted. The big LZ west of Bu Dop was the most logical place. They sited their aa guns accordingly. I really missed you back at Lai Khe. You were a great friend, Jol. I hope we’ll meet again someday.
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