Heros come in many shapes and sizes. My father was a true American hero. He spent most of his life in the service of the Country he loved so much as an Officer in the United States Air Force. He attended Western Kentucky University where he played football, and participated in their ROTC program. He literally began his life with nothing.
Dewey Smith was born in 1929 in Louisville, Kentucky to a poor family. He had seven brothers and sisters.
He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Western Kentucky State College on January 22, 1953, and went on active duty beginning May 8, 1953.
One of the most important jobs he had as an Air Force Office involvd the missle sites which the United States maintained in Europe after World War II.
He flew with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from February 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 2, 1967.
After spending 2,103 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Andrews AFB, Maryland, and then attended the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from July to October 1973. His final assignment was as Special Assistant to the Commandant of Air War College from October 1973 until his retirement from the Air Force on February 1, 1974.
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
Major Dewey L. Smith distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as as Tactical Fighter Pilot over North Vietnam on 14 May 1967. On that date, Major Smith was a member of a flight of F-105's assigned to destroy an extremely heavily defended barracks area. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he flew through intense and accurate anti-aircraft and missile fire to deliver his ordnance directly on target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Smith has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
I would like to add, of all the American POWs from the Vietnam War, he was one of the few who did not break at some point. He couldn't because of all the specialized knowledge he had tucked away in his memory about American missiles in Europe. He suffered horribly for his silence.
While he was gone, his three children grew up, including me. Both my brother and sister were very young when he left for Vietnam, so they barely rembered him. My mother divorced him scant months after he returned to us.
He met and married an exceptional lady, who has been by his side ever since their wedding. They had two wonderful sons. My dad actually got to see them grow up. He has many happy healthy grandchildren.
For those of you who live in Tennessee, you might be interested to know that he ran for Sheriff of Hamiliton County as a Republican. He was endorsed by Buford Pusser.
Tonight, surrounded by his wife and two of his sons, he died, at home, quietly in his sleep.
I salute him for his dedication and love for his God, his Country, and his family. Heros like him are a rare breed. I am honored that he was my father. I love him, and I will miss him. I pray that whatever comes next for him (yes, I believe in an afterlife), will be wonderful.
We, here in this community, should gladly pick up where he left off. Maybe we won't serve our country fighting for her in a war, but we most certaily have a fight ahead if we expect to maintain a free America.