Charles Wendle Smith

Charles Wendle Smith grew up in Tabor and attended the Fremont-Mills school district. He entered the Army in 1965 and started his Vietnam tour in December. He was trained as a UH-1 helicopter mechanic with the 1st Cavalry Division. He also doubled as a door gunner for operational flights. On July 20, 1966, the Huey he was riding in was shot down while conducting close air cover for a convoy south of Pleiku. At approximately 100 feet, the helicopter took small arm fire from the ground. Flames broke out and the aircraft crashed killing all four crew members. PFC Smith is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.