THE WALL OF FACES

Dear WO Philip Smith, Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Your 56th anniversary is in 2 days, sad. 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.

Warrant Officer Philip C Smith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as a Helicopter Pilot and was assigned to the 155th Aviation Co, 52nd Aviation Bn, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SmithPC01a.htm
See also coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php

WO Raymond L. Ford and WO Phillip C. Smith were pilots serving with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company. On March 29, 1966, they landed their helicopter near Bu Prang in Quang Duc Province, RVN, and exited the aircraft. They reportedly wandered into an old French minefield and efforts to rescue the two pilots failed. Both were fatally injured when they accidently detonated anti-personnel mines. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and History of the 155th Aviation Company, January 1 – December 31, 1966, at mason.gmu.edu]

My friend Charlie Dixon met up with Phil in Nam, Phil was a helo pilot and as I heard they were shot down and one of his door gunners was hit pretty hard so Phil being uninjured climbed out of his door and went arround to see if he could help his crewman and steped on a mine. He could of just sat there until the rescue helo got to them but he wasn't that sort of man. God bless and Gary Owen Phil.

This passage was written by Gerald Nieman in the Belleville Township High school 1963 Classmates profile Website. The photo of Philip is his High School Graduation Photo

Warrant Officer Philip Cory Smith, Served with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.