COMMEMORATING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR (1961-1973)… and honoring the intrepid Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers and aircrewmen who carried the war to the heartland of North Vietnam in the years of Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968) and in this post, the warriors who destroyed the will of the enemy to fight with Operation Linebacker… BO SMITH WAS THERE FOR IT ALL…
THE ODYSSEY OF BO SMITH: The Air War Against North Vietnam in Three Parts…
It is with highest respect, admiration and appreciation that Humble Host posts the enthralling narrative of CAPTAIN ROBERT S. SMITH, USN (Retired) on this website. I direct your attention to three chapters of Bo’s “work in progress” that he calls “Bo’s Memoir.” It is a masterpiece — a diamond in the rough (editing in progress)– that deserves a place in the history of the Vietnam war and constitutes a magnificent legacy for Bo’s extensive family. It is an awesome project, especially his capture of the years of Rolling Thunder and Linebacker, of which he was a bold, brave participant. This post is made with his permission.
There is no better time for the Old Navy (or Marine or Air Force) participant in the war, family member of a participant, student or researcher to dig into Bo Smith’s extraordinary remembrance of our nation’s air war with North Vietnam. Here are the links to the entire memoir and the three (of 18) chapters reporting from the years of Rolling Thunder and Linebacker…
Bo’s Memoir: http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/
Bo’s 1st Rolling Thunder Cruise: http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/VA15Circa66/
Bo’s 2nd Rolling Thunder Cruise: http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/VA15Circa67/
Bo’s 1972 VA-82 Linebacker Cruise: http://bo-smith.net/bosmemoir/VA821972/
CAPTAIN ROBERT S. SMITH’s odyssey continues from his home in Florida, glory gained, duty done. Bo flew with some of Naval Aviation’s greatest. He had great instructors, mentors and combat leaders while taking the fight to the enemy on his more than 300 strikes on North Vietnam. Guys like Jerry Tuttle, Possum Terrell, Ron Moreau, Paul McCarthy, Tom Scott, and Snuffy Smith. And then he went on to command and other assignments where he represented Naval Aviation in the Air Force and the Royal Air Force. He retired as an O-6 to teach school and hunt rocks. Truly an odyssey. Humble Host scanned the three war chapters of Bo’s Memoir for a bit of the man and warrior for this post. I settled on the second of his three Distinguished Flying Cross citations to make the case for RTR readers… I quote…
“For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a pilot attached to and serving with Attack Squadron FIFTEEN, embarked in USS INTREPID (CVS-11), during the conduct of an Air Wing strike against the Kien Bat highway ferry at Haiphong, North Vietnam on 5 October 1967. Lieutenant SMITH was assigned as wingman in a 23-plane Air Wing strike against this important transshipment point. Numerous warnings indicating that enemy aircraft were orbiting just west of the target were received during the approach to the target. Despite the obvious danger, he maintained his position as the last bomber element on the exposed western flank of the strike force. Fighting his way through 37mm, 57mm and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant SMITH rolled in and with exceptional accuracy placed all his ordnance on the target. Departing the target area his aircraft sustained a direct hit causing heavy damage and a serious fire in his tail section. As the section retired from the area, two enemy MiG-17 fighter aircraft engaged his section leader. With complete disregard for his own safety and with equal contempt for the enemy fighters, Lieutenant SMITH charged his guns and turned toward the two MiGs while calling breaks for his section leader. He continued to outmaneuver the MiGs and call breaks until the MiGs broke off the engagement at the coast line. Demonstrating outstanding airmanship, he then managed to keep his crippled aircraft flying and brought it back aboard ship where the fire was finally extinguished. Lieutenant SMITH’s outstanding abilities in maintaining flight integrity, determined aggressiveness and courage in the face of enemy fire contributed directly to the success of the strike and were in keeping witth the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service…. For the President //S// John J. Hyland, Admiral, USN, Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet”….. oohrah…
HUMBLE HOST FINAL NOTE… I hope you enjoy the words, pictures, charts and collection of Vietnam war memorabilia included in Bo’s Memoirs as much as I have. And thanks, Bo Smith, for your one-of-a-kind contribution to the living record of “our war.”… Youdaman….
Lest we forget… Bear