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“I survived,” Danne Smith said, deadpanned. “That was my greatest
achievement from my Vietnam days.”
While it may be hard to
argue with that point, Smith’s war record says he did more than just
survive -- much more.
“For heroism while engaged in aerial
flight … gallantry of an exceptional nature … bravely landed
aircraft in the midst of fierce fighting … heroic actions in keeping
with the highest traditions of military service,” are just snippets
of one of Smith’s Air Medals.
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March 10, 2017 - Danne Smith, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron programmer, reflects
on his younger days as a UH-1H helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War
during an interview at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The war veteran survived being shot down six times
and received three Air Medals with “V” devices, three Bronze Stars
and two Silver Stars during his tour in Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force
photo by Staff Sgt. Wes Wright)
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The 70-year-old 50th Civil Engineer Squadron programmer’s
diminutive stature wouldn’t suggest he was formerly a U.S. Army
UH-1H helicopter pilot who flew special forces in and out of hostile
territory in Vietnam. His white hair and unassuming countenance
doesn’t indicate he survived being shot down in a helicopter six
times. And, if asked if he’s a hero, Smith will humbly say he’s not,
despite what his three Air Medals with “V” devices, three Bronze
Stars and two Silver Stars say.
“Danne is an extremely
humble individual and does not normally mention any of his time as a
helicopter pilot or his awards for valor,” said Lt. Col. Andrew
DeRosa, 50th CE commander. “He's a living legend in my squadron in
my opinion.”
Smith enlisted in the Army in 1969. The
21-year-old specialist immediately began a year-long flight school.
“I wanted to fly,” Smith said. “The Air Force wouldn’t take
me. The Navy wouldn’t take me unless I had a college degree. The
Army took me and let me fly helicopters.”
After graduating
flight school as a warrant officer UH-1H helicopter pilot, Smith
departed for Vietnam.
The war-torn country gave Smith a
taste of what was to come in his first days there.
“When I
first got over there I kept a diary,” Smith said. “I had been in
country for probably a month, and they decided to hit us with 122 mm
rockets and 82 mm mortars. When they first started coming in, I was
sleeping on my upper bunk. I had a round hit right above my bunk;
and we had a revetment that was probably 2 feet wide filled with
sandbags. Another round hit right there outside my window. It tore
up my diary.”
Smith began flying what were known as “Ash and
Trash” missions--Vietnam-era helicopter pilot jargon that denoted
the type of mission. ASH stood for assault support helicopter
(resupply, cargo lift, etc,) and Trash denoted administrative
missions, such as flying passengers, parts and general non-combat
missions.
“I flew copilot for about four months and then
became an aircraft commander,” Smith said. br>
TThe helicopter
pilot spent his first year flying with U.S. Army Rangers, working
extensively with the Charlie 75th Special Forces group.
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Warrant Officer Danne Smith, U.S. Army UH-1H helicopter
pilot,(right) with a friend in the door to his UH-1H helicopter in
Vietnam in the early 1970s. The war veteran survived being shot down
six times and received three Air Medals with “V” devices, three
Bronze Stars and two Silver Stars during his tour in Vietnam.(Courtesy photo by Danne Smith)
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“If it was special forces, it was rather interesting,” the
Vietnam veteran said. “You pick up a six-man team. There’s a pilot,
copilot, crew chief, door gunner, and you’d usually have a pair of
gunships that would fly and prep the landing zones. You had a
command and control ship, nice and high, telling you where you’re
supposed to take them. That’s what you did. Maybe you’d wait a day
or two and then go pick them up; or, if they got into contact, you’d
go pick them up right away.”
Providing special forces airlift
frequently put Smith in dangerous situations across Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos. Vietnam helicopter pilots typically flew below
1,500 feet. The margin of error in good conditions was small. Jungle
terrain and proximity to ground fire resulted in high mortality
rates of helicopter pilots.
Being constantly exposed to
enemy fire, Smith could not escape the odds of being shot down. He
did, however, beat the odds of surviving being shot down.
“We
never really got hit by RPGs; it was usually just a lot of lead,”
Smith said. “It’s definitely scary. One time we crashed after we
took fire. We were surrounded for probably about four or six hours
at night. Finally, Koreans came in and provided cover for us after
about three hours. We finally got an aircraft to pick us up.”
Smith said after a couple of times of being shot down, his
thought as each next crash happened was, “Well, here we go again.”
“You’re trained,” Smith said. “You react; you land. The guys
come down and pick you up real quick. Unless you’re unlucky, then
you’re on the ground for a couple of days. The training they gave
you as far as having your engine shot out, which I’ve had happen --
they teach you how to land without an engine or without rear rotors.
Without an engine you can still land a helicopter. Try that in an
F-16 and you got some major problems.”
Smith held the record
in his company for the number of times he survived being shot down.
“Not that it’s something to brag about,” he said. “I’m smiling
because I survived.”
Smith also held records for the number
of hours he flew.
“You could only fly a certain number of
hours per month,” Smith said. “Shoot, I had so many hours. In 10
months, I had over 2,000 hours. If they needed somebody to fly
cargo, or gunships, wherever they needed somebody…”
Smith
paused, tears forming in his eyes, before continuing.
“I was
just trying to do what I could,” he whispered.
The war
veteran estimated of the 100 or so pilots he knew, 40 didn’t make it
home.
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A UH-1H helicopter, piloted by U.S. Army Warrant Officer Danne
Smith, lifts off for a mission in Vietnam in the early 1970s. The
war veteran survived being shot down six times and received three
Air Medals with “V” devices, three Bronze Stars and two Silver Stars
during his tour in Vietnam.(Courtesy photo by Danne Smith)
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According to DeRosa, Smith’s quiet and reserved demeanor
conceal the pain and sorrow the veteran has endured—a
testament to the strength of his character.
“anne has certainly seen some horrific things in
Vietnam that he will carry with him forever,” DeRosa said.
“However, you don't know it from meeting him and talking
with him. He's easy going, doesn't seem to hold a grudge,
doesn't sweat the small stuff and always has a smile and a
greeting for you in the hallway.”
After returning
home from his tour in Vietnam, Smith decided to separate and
pursue other goals. A jack of all trades, Smith did
everything from architectural design of buildings and high
rises to designing parts for space shuttles in the early
1970s.
For the last seven years, Smith worked as a
programmer in the 50th Civil Engineer Squadron.
“If
you have a project that needs to get done on base, I make
sure we have money and that all the T’s are crossed and all
the I’s are dotted,” Smith said. “Anything that gets built
on base, at least recently, I have probably had my hands in
it.”
At age 70, Smith has decided it’s time to
throttle back on the stick and end his time of civil service
in the Air Force. The married father of four and grandfather
of seven is excited about the down time.
“I’m looking
forward to spending time with my family and traveling,”
Smith said. “I’m also going to do some genealogy work. Right
now, my family has been traced as far back as the 1600s.”
Smith’s last day of work is scheduled for March 31, a
day his commander isn’t looking forward to.
“Danne is
an extremely diligent and dedicated individual,” DeRosa
said. “I'm sad to see him go, but happy that he's moving on
to spend more time with his grandson and family.”
As
Smith summed up the entirety of his life and career, he had
a message for anyone who reads or hears about his story.
“Follow your dreams,” the aging veteran said with a
smile. “Don’t get stuck behind a desk if you don’t like
being stuck behind a desk. Do what makes you happy.”
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Wes Wright
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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