SMITH HAROLD E

CW2 Harold E. Smith was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/30/2014 at the age of 66.1
Zephyrhills, FL
Flight Classes 70-11 and 70-7
Date of Birth 05/22/1948
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/158 AVN 101 ABN in 70-71
Call sign in Vietnam GHOST RIDER 64
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Harold E. "Itty-Bitty" Smith, 66, went home to be with the Lord, June 30, 2014, with his loving wife by his side. Born May 22, 1948, to Max and Virginia (Rupp) Smith, he lived his early life at South Mountain, Pennsylvania, and moved to Florida in 1992. Married in 1976 to Adonica J. (Daywalt) Smith, he is survived by one brother, Jeffrey P. Smith and his wife, Angie; one sister, Evelyn Smith, and his namesake, Jeffrey Harold Smith and his wife, Kathy. He was proceeded in death by four brothers: Max Smith Jr., David Smith, Kenny Smith, and Brian Smith, and one sister, Dawn Rosenberry and is survived by their spouses and children. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.

Harold served three years in the US Marine Corps, joining in 1965. He served in Vietnam (MASS-3, MACG-18, IstMAW). His orders took him to many areas of operation in the I Corps area, including Khe Sanh. He completed his tour of duty in December 1968.

Joining the Army in June 1969, Harold graduated Army Rotary Wing Flight School (Class 70-11/70-7). Serving again in Vietnam, as a pilot, with the 101st Abn Div CoA (Ghost Riders), 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, in 1970-71. He earned numerous decorations, medals, and citations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross w/OLC. He was severely wounded in Laos on March 19, 1971, participating in Operation Lam Son 719.

Harold earned a private pilot's license in 1984, flying from the Washington County Maryland Regional Airport. In 2005, at the request of Rick Lester, Harold was awarded "Honorary Membership" by the 48th AHC (Blue Stars) for his effort to rescue the pilots and crew of 48th Guns ("Joker 99") on March 19, 1971.

Harold acquired many lasting friendships during his lifetime and military service. Two of those, loyal and committed friends and fellow pilots/Gerald Rockwell and Burt Amos, were with him during his final days.

Published in Waynesboro Record Herald on Sept. 4, 2014

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024