US Marine LCPL Michael Ray Smith, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Spindale, NC.
US Marine Lance Corporal Michael Ray Smith was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, LCPL Smith served our country until May 13th, 1967 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Michael died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. Michael was born on June 6th, 1945 in Spindale, North Carolina. LCPL Smith is on panel 19E, line 113 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
He is Alumni from Garinger North Carolina High School Class of 1964.
One more of Bravo company 1st Recon Bn. A small unit of very special men. After 34 years we still remember the time and the place like yesterday. We miss you all. You will remain part of all of us, Randy Kendall, Fellow 1st Recon Battalion Marine.
Fellow Marine. Michael and I served together at NAS Brunswick, Maine in 1966-1967. He was a good friend and a proud Marine. I think of him often. Terry Severson, MN.
I knew him well. He should not be forgotten. He had finally found peace prior to his death. Michael Lee, Friend.
Great Friend. Mike and I were good buddies during High School (1959-1963). This week in an adjacent town of Forest City in North Carolina the "Wall that Heals" is on display sponsored by our local Vietnam War Memorial Committee. I saw a picture of Michael and the details of when and how he died. When I saw his picture my first thought was the nickname I and all his buddies at home called him which was "grumpy". I'm not sure where the nickname came from, but was always used in a friendly and favorable way. Mike had a great sense of humor and was always a pleasure to be around. He will always be a friend to me and a "Hero" to all who live in the country where he paid the ultimate sacrifice. And from all his buddies here in the USA, I wish we could say, thanks "Grumpy"! Hicks Owens, 141 W. 3rd Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139,
FROM THE DAILY COURIER:
Forest City - "Unbelievable" is the word Lois Smith,89 used when she recalled the day Marine Officers arrived at her home and told her that her fourth child, son Michael Ray Smith, was killed in Vietnam. Smith died 40 years ago, May 13, 1967, just 6 weeks after arrival in Vietnam. He died near Da Nang, Vietnam, on his fourth patrol. Pfc Smith was a native of Spindale amd attended R-S Central High School. He graduated from Garringer High School in Charlotte. Before Smith went to the Marines in January 1966, he lived in Spindale with his Father. LCPL Smith was a member of the Marine 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Company B Section in Vietnam. "Some things hurt so deep", Mrs Smith said from Forest City home last week. "It was years before I could even talk about it". In her home are pictures of her third and youngest son in his Marine Uniform. LCPL Smith wrote a poem for his mother before he was sent to Vietnam. The poem, "My Finest Hour is For You, Mama", appeared in the Daily Courier a few years ago. He wrote several poems and, according his family, he wanted to make sure that his mother had this poem. He told his sister Deanna McJunkin, to go through his scrapbook and pick out a poem he had written. He wanted his mother to have a special poem he wrote for her. The poem is reprinted roday in Memory of Smith and in honor of Mrs Smith on Mother's Day.
"In the Morning just past the break of Dawn, You'll awake and and realize just where it is, I've gone, Far, far away to a ruined and tortured land, Amidst the jungle heat and burning sand.
Where many a man has fought and died, Where the brave and lonely men are standing side by side. But fear not and hold your faith, wipe your tears away, Just kneel down each night and for these men please pray.
Pray for their safe return and for the job they do, Pray to God with all your heart that I'll return to you. Be proud of me, dear Mom, no matter what it brings, For God is standing watch for men they call Marines.
So as the minutes turn to hours and hours into days, And the war grows even bigger and jumps another phase, Do not ponder in your mind the thought of any wrong, For soon it's all gone in the past and I'll be coming home."
Pinky Smith was honored in a service at Garinger High School in Charlotte on Aug 8, 2014 as one of the men from Garinger killed in Viet Nam. Honored by his classmate and Marine Donnie Mullis in a speech there. Marine Honor Guard and Bugler, Band from the 82nd Airborne, Army ROTC unit and a crowd of 500 paid respects to Pinky and the 14 other Garinger grads killed in Viet Nam. It was a special day, long overdue. Photo of the monument at Garinger is posted here. Don Thompson USAF ret. Garinger Class of 1964
Contributor: don thompson (47786377)
Smith's Brothers and Sisters, O.M.Smith Jr, David Smith, Ramona Carlton and McJunkin, Nieces, Nephews and cousins will gather today on Mothers Day and celebrate with Mrs Smith her Mother's Day. They'll also reflect on the life of their brave young brother who died in the War just weeks before his 21st Birthday. Smith is buried in Sunset Memorial Park. He is honored on Panel 19E, Row 113 of "The Wall That Heals".
He was the son of Mr Otis M Smith Sr, 208 Oxford St, Spindale, NC.
He served with Bravo Company, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal.
US Marine Lance Corporal Michael Ray Smith was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, LCPL Smith served our country until May 13th, 1967 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Michael died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. Michael was born on June 6th, 1945 in Spindale, North Carolina. LCPL Smith is on panel 19E, line 113 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
He is Alumni from Garinger North Carolina High School Class of 1964.
One more of Bravo company 1st Recon Bn. A small unit of very special men. After 34 years we still remember the time and the place like yesterday. We miss you all. You will remain part of all of us, Randy Kendall, Fellow 1st Recon Battalion Marine.
Fellow Marine. Michael and I served together at NAS Brunswick, Maine in 1966-1967. He was a good friend and a proud Marine. I think of him often. Terry Severson, MN.
I knew him well. He should not be forgotten. He had finally found peace prior to his death. Michael Lee, Friend.
Great Friend. Mike and I were good buddies during High School (1959-1963). This week in an adjacent town of Forest City in North Carolina the "Wall that Heals" is on display sponsored by our local Vietnam War Memorial Committee. I saw a picture of Michael and the details of when and how he died. When I saw his picture my first thought was the nickname I and all his buddies at home called him which was "grumpy". I'm not sure where the nickname came from, but was always used in a friendly and favorable way. Mike had a great sense of humor and was always a pleasure to be around. He will always be a friend to me and a "Hero" to all who live in the country where he paid the ultimate sacrifice. And from all his buddies here in the USA, I wish we could say, thanks "Grumpy"! Hicks Owens, 141 W. 3rd Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139,
FROM THE DAILY COURIER:
Forest City - "Unbelievable" is the word Lois Smith,89 used when she recalled the day Marine Officers arrived at her home and told her that her fourth child, son Michael Ray Smith, was killed in Vietnam. Smith died 40 years ago, May 13, 1967, just 6 weeks after arrival in Vietnam. He died near Da Nang, Vietnam, on his fourth patrol. Pfc Smith was a native of Spindale amd attended R-S Central High School. He graduated from Garringer High School in Charlotte. Before Smith went to the Marines in January 1966, he lived in Spindale with his Father. LCPL Smith was a member of the Marine 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Company B Section in Vietnam. "Some things hurt so deep", Mrs Smith said from Forest City home last week. "It was years before I could even talk about it". In her home are pictures of her third and youngest son in his Marine Uniform. LCPL Smith wrote a poem for his mother before he was sent to Vietnam. The poem, "My Finest Hour is For You, Mama", appeared in the Daily Courier a few years ago. He wrote several poems and, according his family, he wanted to make sure that his mother had this poem. He told his sister Deanna McJunkin, to go through his scrapbook and pick out a poem he had written. He wanted his mother to have a special poem he wrote for her. The poem is reprinted roday in Memory of Smith and in honor of Mrs Smith on Mother's Day.
"In the Morning just past the break of Dawn, You'll awake and and realize just where it is, I've gone, Far, far away to a ruined and tortured land, Amidst the jungle heat and burning sand.
Where many a man has fought and died, Where the brave and lonely men are standing side by side. But fear not and hold your faith, wipe your tears away, Just kneel down each night and for these men please pray.
Pray for their safe return and for the job they do, Pray to God with all your heart that I'll return to you. Be proud of me, dear Mom, no matter what it brings, For God is standing watch for men they call Marines.
So as the minutes turn to hours and hours into days, And the war grows even bigger and jumps another phase, Do not ponder in your mind the thought of any wrong, For soon it's all gone in the past and I'll be coming home."
Pinky Smith was honored in a service at Garinger High School in Charlotte on Aug 8, 2014 as one of the men from Garinger killed in Viet Nam. Honored by his classmate and Marine Donnie Mullis in a speech there. Marine Honor Guard and Bugler, Band from the 82nd Airborne, Army ROTC unit and a crowd of 500 paid respects to Pinky and the 14 other Garinger grads killed in Viet Nam. It was a special day, long overdue. Photo of the monument at Garinger is posted here. Don Thompson USAF ret. Garinger Class of 1964
Contributor: don thompson (47786377)
Smith's Brothers and Sisters, O.M.Smith Jr, David Smith, Ramona Carlton and McJunkin, Nieces, Nephews and cousins will gather today on Mothers Day and celebrate with Mrs Smith her Mother's Day. They'll also reflect on the life of their brave young brother who died in the War just weeks before his 21st Birthday. Smith is buried in Sunset Memorial Park. He is honored on Panel 19E, Row 113 of "The Wall That Heals".
He was the son of Mr Otis M Smith Sr, 208 Oxford St, Spindale, NC.
He served with Bravo Company, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal.
US Marine LCPL Michael Ray Smith, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Spindale, NC.
US Marine Lance Corporal Michael Ray Smith was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, LCPL Smith served our country until May 13th, 1967 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Michael died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. Michael was born on June 6th, 1945 in Spindale, North Carolina. LCPL Smith is on panel 19E, line 113 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
He is Alumni from Garinger North Carolina High School Class of 1964.
One more of Bravo company 1st Recon Bn. A small unit of very special men. After 34 years we still remember the time and the place like yesterday. We miss you all. You will remain part of all of us, Randy Kendall, Fellow 1st Recon Battalion Marine.
Fellow Marine. Michael and I served together at NAS Brunswick, Maine in 1966-1967. He was a good friend and a proud Marine. I think of him often. Terry Severson, MN.
I knew him well. He should not be forgotten. He had finally found peace prior to his death. Michael Lee, Friend.
Great Friend. Mike and I were good buddies during High School (1959-1963). This week in an adjacent town of Forest City in North Carolina the "Wall that Heals" is on display sponsored by our local Vietnam War Memorial Committee. I saw a picture of Michael and the details of when and how he died. When I saw his picture my first thought was the nickname I and all his buddies at home called him which was "grumpy". I'm not sure where the nickname came from, but was always used in a friendly and favorable way. Mike had a great sense of humor and was always a pleasure to be around. He will always be a friend to me and a "Hero" to all who live in the country where he paid the ultimate sacrifice. And from all his buddies here in the USA, I wish we could say, thanks "Grumpy"! Hicks Owens, 141 W. 3rd Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139,
FROM THE DAILY COURIER:
Forest City - "Unbelievable" is the word Lois Smith,89 used when she recalled the day Marine Officers arrived at her home and told her that her fourth child, son Michael Ray Smith, was killed in Vietnam. Smith died 40 years ago, May 13, 1967, just 6 weeks after arrival in Vietnam. He died near Da Nang, Vietnam, on his fourth patrol. Pfc Smith was a native of Spindale amd attended R-S Central High School. He graduated from Garringer High School in Charlotte. Before Smith went to the Marines in January 1966, he lived in Spindale with his Father. LCPL Smith was a member of the Marine 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Company B Section in Vietnam. "Some things hurt so deep", Mrs Smith said from Forest City home last week. "It was years before I could even talk about it". In her home are pictures of her third and youngest son in his Marine Uniform. LCPL Smith wrote a poem for his mother before he was sent to Vietnam. The poem, "My Finest Hour is For You, Mama", appeared in the Daily Courier a few years ago. He wrote several poems and, according his family, he wanted to make sure that his mother had this poem. He told his sister Deanna McJunkin, to go through his scrapbook and pick out a poem he had written. He wanted his mother to have a special poem he wrote for her. The poem is reprinted roday in Memory of Smith and in honor of Mrs Smith on Mother's Day.
"In the Morning just past the break of Dawn, You'll awake and and realize just where it is, I've gone, Far, far away to a ruined and tortured land, Amidst the jungle heat and burning sand.
Where many a man has fought and died, Where the brave and lonely men are standing side by side. But fear not and hold your faith, wipe your tears away, Just kneel down each night and for these men please pray.
Pray for their safe return and for the job they do, Pray to God with all your heart that I'll return to you. Be proud of me, dear Mom, no matter what it brings, For God is standing watch for men they call Marines.
So as the minutes turn to hours and hours into days, And the war grows even bigger and jumps another phase, Do not ponder in your mind the thought of any wrong, For soon it's all gone in the past and I'll be coming home."
Pinky Smith was honored in a service at Garinger High School in Charlotte on Aug 8, 2014 as one of the men from Garinger killed in Viet Nam. Honored by his classmate and Marine Donnie Mullis in a speech there. Marine Honor Guard and Bugler, Band from the 82nd Airborne, Army ROTC unit and a crowd of 500 paid respects to Pinky and the 14 other Garinger grads killed in Viet Nam. It was a special day, long overdue. Photo of the monument at Garinger is posted here. Don Thompson USAF ret. Garinger Class of 1964
Contributor: don thompson (47786377)
Smith's Brothers and Sisters, O.M.Smith Jr, David Smith, Ramona Carlton and McJunkin, Nieces, Nephews and cousins will gather today on Mothers Day and celebrate with Mrs Smith her Mother's Day. They'll also reflect on the life of their brave young brother who died in the War just weeks before his 21st Birthday. Smith is buried in Sunset Memorial Park. He is honored on Panel 19E, Row 113 of "The Wall That Heals".
He was the son of Mr Otis M Smith Sr, 208 Oxford St, Spindale, NC.
He served with Bravo Company, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal.
US Marine Lance Corporal Michael Ray Smith was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, LCPL Smith served our country until May 13th, 1967 in Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Michael died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. Michael was born on June 6th, 1945 in Spindale, North Carolina. LCPL Smith is on panel 19E, line 113 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
He is Alumni from Garinger North Carolina High School Class of 1964.
One more of Bravo company 1st Recon Bn. A small unit of very special men. After 34 years we still remember the time and the place like yesterday. We miss you all. You will remain part of all of us, Randy Kendall, Fellow 1st Recon Battalion Marine.
Fellow Marine. Michael and I served together at NAS Brunswick, Maine in 1966-1967. He was a good friend and a proud Marine. I think of him often. Terry Severson, MN.
I knew him well. He should not be forgotten. He had finally found peace prior to his death. Michael Lee, Friend.
Great Friend. Mike and I were good buddies during High School (1959-1963). This week in an adjacent town of Forest City in North Carolina the "Wall that Heals" is on display sponsored by our local Vietnam War Memorial Committee. I saw a picture of Michael and the details of when and how he died. When I saw his picture my first thought was the nickname I and all his buddies at home called him which was "grumpy". I'm not sure where the nickname came from, but was always used in a friendly and favorable way. Mike had a great sense of humor and was always a pleasure to be around. He will always be a friend to me and a "Hero" to all who live in the country where he paid the ultimate sacrifice. And from all his buddies here in the USA, I wish we could say, thanks "Grumpy"! Hicks Owens, 141 W. 3rd Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139,
FROM THE DAILY COURIER:
Forest City - "Unbelievable" is the word Lois Smith,89 used when she recalled the day Marine Officers arrived at her home and told her that her fourth child, son Michael Ray Smith, was killed in Vietnam. Smith died 40 years ago, May 13, 1967, just 6 weeks after arrival in Vietnam. He died near Da Nang, Vietnam, on his fourth patrol. Pfc Smith was a native of Spindale amd attended R-S Central High School. He graduated from Garringer High School in Charlotte. Before Smith went to the Marines in January 1966, he lived in Spindale with his Father. LCPL Smith was a member of the Marine 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Company B Section in Vietnam. "Some things hurt so deep", Mrs Smith said from Forest City home last week. "It was years before I could even talk about it". In her home are pictures of her third and youngest son in his Marine Uniform. LCPL Smith wrote a poem for his mother before he was sent to Vietnam. The poem, "My Finest Hour is For You, Mama", appeared in the Daily Courier a few years ago. He wrote several poems and, according his family, he wanted to make sure that his mother had this poem. He told his sister Deanna McJunkin, to go through his scrapbook and pick out a poem he had written. He wanted his mother to have a special poem he wrote for her. The poem is reprinted roday in Memory of Smith and in honor of Mrs Smith on Mother's Day.
"In the Morning just past the break of Dawn, You'll awake and and realize just where it is, I've gone, Far, far away to a ruined and tortured land, Amidst the jungle heat and burning sand.
Where many a man has fought and died, Where the brave and lonely men are standing side by side. But fear not and hold your faith, wipe your tears away, Just kneel down each night and for these men please pray.
Pray for their safe return and for the job they do, Pray to God with all your heart that I'll return to you. Be proud of me, dear Mom, no matter what it brings, For God is standing watch for men they call Marines.
So as the minutes turn to hours and hours into days, And the war grows even bigger and jumps another phase, Do not ponder in your mind the thought of any wrong, For soon it's all gone in the past and I'll be coming home."
Pinky Smith was honored in a service at Garinger High School in Charlotte on Aug 8, 2014 as one of the men from Garinger killed in Viet Nam. Honored by his classmate and Marine Donnie Mullis in a speech there. Marine Honor Guard and Bugler, Band from the 82nd Airborne, Army ROTC unit and a crowd of 500 paid respects to Pinky and the 14 other Garinger grads killed in Viet Nam. It was a special day, long overdue. Photo of the monument at Garinger is posted here. Don Thompson USAF ret. Garinger Class of 1964
Contributor: don thompson (47786377)
Smith's Brothers and Sisters, O.M.Smith Jr, David Smith, Ramona Carlton and McJunkin, Nieces, Nephews and cousins will gather today on Mothers Day and celebrate with Mrs Smith her Mother's Day. They'll also reflect on the life of their brave young brother who died in the War just weeks before his 21st Birthday. Smith is buried in Sunset Memorial Park. He is honored on Panel 19E, Row 113 of "The Wall That Heals".
He was the son of Mr Otis M Smith Sr, 208 Oxford St, Spindale, NC.
He served with Bravo Company, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF.
He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon(CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal.
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