SMALL JAMES A

CW3 James "Jimmy" A. Small was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 12/02/2016 at the age of 80.3
Navarre, FL
Flight Class 65-15W
Date of Birth 08/06/1936
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with ACT/11 ACR in 66-67
Call sign in Vietnam THUNDER HORSE 13
This information was provided by James Small, Jr. (son)

More detail on this person: James A. Small, CWO-3 Ret. USA, Navarre, died Dec. 2nd. Jim was born August 6, 1936 in Miami, Fl. He entered the Army in 1953 and served 12 years in Infantry and Airborne units. He was a Korea and Vietnam veteran. He met and married his wife, Lola, while stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. They spent 4 years at Ft. Richardson Alaska where 2 of their 4 children were born. Jim attended U.S, Army Helicopter Flight School and became a pilot in November 1965. He was then assigned to the 7th Infantry Div. and flew the Asst. Div. Commander during his tour. He was then assigned to the Air Cav. troop with the 11th Armored Cav. Regiment as a Huey gunship pilot and served his first tour in Vietnam with the unit in 1966-1967. He transferred to the Quartermaster corps in Jan. 1970 and served as an Air Drop and parachute repair technician until January 1971. During his second tour in Vietnam he spent 5 weeks in the jungle in Cambodia as OIC of Recovery Detail attached to infantry units from the 1st Infantry Div and the 1st CAV div. He was then assigned to Ft. Bragg, N.C. where he served until his retirement in August 1973. After he retired from the Army he and his family moved back to Miami, Fl. where he worked for GE as an appliance and air-conditioning technician for 8 years. He and his wife moved to Navarre, Fl in 1981 where they built their log home. He then worked at Hurlburt Bowling Center as the maintenance supervisor in Civil Service until retiring in Jan 1999. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/ 2 OLC, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/ 11 OLC. He was also awarded Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award at retirement from Civil Service. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Vicky, in 1976 and also 2 infant grandsons. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lola, of Navarre, his daughters Carol Ann Schuerch of Vestal N.Y., Bonnie Marie Wooldridge of Jenson Beach, Fl and son James Jr. of Navarre, Fl. Also surviving are 2 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Per his wishes there will be no services.

This information was last updated 12/05/2016

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association