Acknowledgments
The universe is full of reminders that we are only a small part of this world. In the United States alone we can see such things as the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, the powerful Mississippi River, and the star filled night sky. Some would say the human existence on earth is actually insignificant in comparison. Others would see this differently, however, and the armed forces of the United States, and more specifically the United States Marine Corps would be among their number. In a business that sees a great deal of death and destruction, life is treated as the most sacred thing on earth.
There is a process by which people remember the wars and the soldiers that fought in them, some giving their lives. Many times historians and soldiers write books about the experience. For others it is simply a matter of telling friends and family what life consisted of during battle. The question that arises though is how loved ones that die in battle get remembered. The answer seems easy enough on the surface but it actually entails a great deal of communication between the family, society, and the particular branch of the military establishment in which the person served and sacrificed. The story that follows is that of a young man mortally wounded in Vietnam. He has been remembered by not only family and friends, but also the United States Marine Corps.
GROWING UP IN TENNESSEE
Terry L. Smith (plate one) was born on May 13, 1947 in Nashville, Tennessee. It was not apparent to the country at the time, but Terry was being born into a generation that would affect the way Americans lived their lives. It was a generation that would live with general economic prosperity. It was a generation of activists in all realms of society. This generation found plenty of ways to make its mark on the entire world. Terry was little different from anyone else his age. He enjoyed a typical childhood, spending time in little league baseball, Cub Scouts, Boy's Club, as well as church activities. As he got a little older he found his summers being taken up with summer camps where he worked as a junior counselor. His activities continued in high school where he lettered in football, tennis, and band at Central High School. Hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and water skiing were other activities that Terry somehow found time to enjoy. High school was followed by a year at Middle Tennessee State University. Then, with a guilty conscience that his friends were in Vietnam and he was not helping, he volunteered to serve his country. It was four days after his nineteenth birthday.
The background information is extremely important because Terry's story is like so many others. His name could be removed and another could easily take its place. How many children have grown up playing little league baseball? How many towns in the United States have a Central High School? How many boys quickly became men in Vietnam?
The web of remembrance is an intricate one, but every strand plays a significant role. Remembering is an event that people sometimes do subconsciously when a reminder in every day life triggers the recall that takes the mind to a different place and time. Some times, though, remembering is not something that just happens, it takes a little effort. People are aware of this and in many cases they plan ahead. When someone takes a picture it is not done for the immediate effect, but rather so the event can be remembered at a later time. The same can be said for video recording and other technological advances that have become an effective medium for remembrance over the past decade or two. The most recent of these advances can be experience on Internet where the World Wide Web ensures that people anywhere, at any age, can see stories and pictures, and learn or reminisce about their own past. Vietnam is certainly an event in American History that is exemplifies this. A basic search of the word "Vietnam" on the Internet will leave the user with more pages and stories than are humanly possibly to search through. Yet, with all of these developments, the military establishment has their older, time-honored ways of remembering events and the great deeds of their own through medals, citations, and memorials. This paper seeks to explore some of these traditions.
Vietnam was one of the strangest wars in United States history because so many things about it were new to everyone involved. Some would even claim that it was not even a war at all but rather a "conflict" because no official declaration of war was ever made. Furthermore, it was brought into the homes of every American through television and most Americans responded in one way or another. Terry's response was clear as were many others. Still others, in large numbers, of Terry's generation refused to fight because they did not see a clear objective. Who or what were the Americans trying to help defeat? Was it communism that was the enemy, or the North Vietnamese? Many Americans believed the war could not be won and therefore no attempt should be made. There were those, like Terry, who believed that it was their war, and their duty. Like Terry, many of the boys had fathers who had fought in the Second World War and this was their chance to show the older generation that the pride and glory was alive and well among Americans. Unfortunately though, this was, if not the minority point of view, one that was strongly challenged. This, perhaps more than any other reason was why Vietnam was like no other war the United States had known.
A HERO IN THE MAKING
Terry's remembrance continues with boot camp and shortly after, Communications School in San Diego, California. He was following the example his father had set for him when he went to Communications School in order to serve in the Navy during World War II. Terry was assigned to Vietnam in Tactical Air Patrol Party, 3rd Battalion, 26 Marines.(1) He traveled to Vietnam and joined up with his unit in Khe Sanh, which was a base about six miles from the Laotian border in the mountainous area of South Vietnam.(2) The base had been used by the French at one time but was transformed for the Marines as troops were sent over. One correspondent wrote, with a sarcastic tone, "All any of us had to worry about was the fact that Khe Sanh was vastly outnumbered and entirely surrounded; that, and the knowledge that all ground evacuation routes, including the vital Route 9, were completely controlled by the NVA."(3) According to some intelligence reports there were estimates of 40,000 Vietnamese soldiers surrounding the base. There were only 4,000 American Marines there to defend it.(4) It was in this setting that Terry set out to make his mark on the world.
It was later said that "to have known Terry Smith was to be a witness to what the term "Marine" means.,"(5) Duty "above and beyond" was another way to describe Terry during his time at Khe Sanh. There was one story told by retired Marine Colonel Dick Camp, who was a Captain in command of Lima Company from June 1967 to January 1968. He wrote in his book Lima-6 that during one encounter Lima Company had managed to get itself boxed in. They had been moving along through dense bamboo which forced them to stay on one trail. Some snipers had fired upon the front of the line so they dropped back to assess the situation. He wrote that in a normal situation the company would have had a forward air controller which would have been a lieutenant or captain, as well as being a fully qualified naval aviator. There not enough of these to go around at the time so they had to settle for a tactical air-control party operator who was only trained for tasks such as guiding in resupply or medivac helicopters. This was all Terry had been trained to do but on this occasion he stepped up and asked the Captain if he would like some air support. Camp, unaware that Terry had never run a tactical air strike, said he would love to have air support. Terry quickly made contact with a pilot who then called in more jets and Lima company had the pleasure of watching the planes take over.(6) Terry was not trained for what he had done, but he knew that if he did not do something his company would soon find themselves in a world of trouble. He had "stepped up" because lives depended on it.
Another story with the same kind of message describes a night battle in which Lima Company was running out of ammunition and the North Vietnamese were set up to destroy any helicopter attempting to resupply Captain Camp's men. One Marine pilot, aware of the danger, called in and asked to have someone mark the landing zone. Camp wrote that although the area could have North Vietnamese close by, he told Terry to crawl out and mark the zone. Terry crawled into a fox hole and used a strobe light which could only be seen from the air. Everyone listened as the helicopter approached. A brief moment after the sound of the helicopter was heard, NVA began shooting at it. Amazingly the helicopter made it in and out safely, dropping ammunition that was not very helpful to the task at hand. Camp wrote that shortly after the helicopter was gone Terry returned to report what had happened. Terry said that the cases had been stacked so that they could be kicked out quickly and that he had almost been hit by the ammunition as it was falling out of the helicopter.(7) The ammunition was distributed and the battle raged on. Terry was known for taking on such tasks without question or hesitation. He was always trying to do his part.
On February 20, 1968 Terry, who had been promoted to Lance Corporal earlier that month, was on hill 881 South. He was in a trench line near a zone that had been hit by heavy enemy mortar rounds. He noticed a supply helicopter coming into the zone so he tried to contact them by radio. He soon realized that he could not communicate with the helicopter and someone would need to signal them manually. He heard the enemy mortars fire which meant there would be about 18 to 20 seconds before the rounds landed. He was with another marine who was about to go out and signal the helicopter but Terry pulled him back and went out himself. He ran across open ground until he reached the landing zone where he waved the helicopter off. As he attempted to get back to his trench he was hit by mortar fragments and wounded.(8) One of Terry's best friends, Corporal Walt Whitesides, said he was getting a haircut on the 20th when he heard that Terry had been wounded. He remembers saying "good" because it was Terry's third Purple Heart and Terry would be sent home. He went on to say how sorry he was to have said that because he soon learned that Terry's wound was fatal.(9) The remembrance process was about to begin.
HONORS AND FOLLOWING CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE MARINES
On the night of February 25th the United States Marine Corps sent a Western Union telegram to the Smith family confirming the death of their son. "I deeply regret to confirm that your son corporal Terry L. Smith USMC died on 20 February 1968 in the vicinity of Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. He sustained fragmentation wounds to the body from hostile mortar fire while in a defensive position."(10) The government and the Marine Corps were continuing the process by which they remember the deeds of soldiers. During his service in Vietnam, Terry received numerous medals and awards for bravery. He received the Navy Commendation Medal as a Private First Class for his actions on September 8, 1967. The citation reads that "Private First Class Smith fearlessly stood in an area dangerously exposed to the heavy volume of fire and, skillfully utilizing his radio, requested air strikes against the hostile position."(11) It continues to say that Terry then requested helicopters to evacuate the wounded. On three occasions, as the citation says, he was knocked from his feet by the explosion of enemy rockets. Each time he got back up and stood his ground until his mission was complete.(12)
Another award that Terry received was the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze which was presented to him in front of Vietnamese soldiers. It was awarded to him for courage under fire, although the story is not written on the citation itself. The citation does however, list the steps taken in order to give Terry the medal. He was nominated for the honor by a commanding officer for his "achievements in support of the Armed Forces of Vietnam in their struggle against the Communist insurgents."(13) The citation also says that his nomination was approved by Headquarters and the commanding General. The citation advised that unless the medal was presented in person, which it was, then Terry would be responsible for obtaining the medal or corresponding ribbon from local sources. Terry also received the higher honor, the Gallantry Cross with Palm Leaf, which would have been presented before the Army as opposed to the Cross with Bronze which is awarded in front of the Regiment or Brigade. The official citation was lost although the Gallantry Cross with Palm Leaf was returned to his parents with his belongings.
Terry's unit was given the presidential unit citation from Lyndon Johnson (plates 2)for the actions in Khe Sanh from January 20 to April 1, 1968. After the seige of Khe Sanh was over, the largely outnumbered American forces were still standing. The 26th marine division had to deal with short lines of communication, rugged terrain, and awful weather, which hindered air travel, but this did not keep the Marines from defending their base. It was during this time that Terry committed the acts of courage which brought him the most honors. Sadly, however, the seige also saw the end of his life.
The long line of letters and honors began shortly after Terry's death. His friend Corporal Walt Whitesides (mentioned earlier when hearing about Terry's third injury) wrote a letter the day Terry was killed. Walt expressed sympathy and sorrow at the loss of a friend and he started the praise that is echoed by many even today. The connection that occurs is necessary because sorrow and remembrance is certainly a difficult task when done alone. Walt had started the process which has eased the pain of the Smith family since the day of Terry's death.(14) Although this was not the first letter the family received it was definitely the first one written.
The next letter written, dated February 24, 1968, came from one of Terry's commanding officers, Michael Kehoe. Kehoe wrote about the great job that Terry did while serving his country. He wrote that Terry had performed his duties better than most officers who were trained for they did. He wrote about the lives Terry had saved and tried to let the Smiths know that they were not alone in their sorrow.
The first correspondence from the government was the telegram mentioned earlier. The next letter came from the White House and was dated March 13, 1968. (plates 3) Mrs. Smith believes that all families of deceased service men and women receive a letter from the White House, which is probably true, but it is not the letter so much as the symbolism behind the letter that matters most. Lyndon Johnson's signature at the bottom of the letter, whether he wrote it, a machine wrote it, or his secretary wrote it, really did not make that great a difference. The highest office in the United States government, the office of the Commander-in-Chief, had sent a letter to thank the Smiths for their son's effort in the battle against aggression. Mrs. Smith also commented that there were numerous other letters from federal, state, and local officials.
Terry's third Purple Heart was given to him on March 20, 1968. (plates 4)The citation says that General George Washington established the award on August 7, 1782 in Newburgh, New York. This was just the beginning. Terry was nominated for the Silver Star Medal by Colonel Dabney in 1975, for saving the crew of the supply helicopter on February 20, 1968. The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest award for bravery.(15) (plates 4)The greatest honor that was received after Terry's death came from the United States Marine Corps almost twenty years after that day in Quang Tri Province. In a letter dated January 12, 1987, Captain George M. Stark informed the Smiths that the Marines wanted to dedicate a gymnasium, under construction at the time at their Washington D.C. district headquarters, to Terry. This was another remembrance for which Colonel Dabney had nominated Terry.
The process by which a deceased soldier is memorialized is actually rather unclear. In the case of the gymnasium, Terry was nominated along with five or six other men. The government did a very thorough background check to make sure that Terry was worthy of such an honor. It was a fairly interesting investigation though because the entire time it was being conducted, no one knew it was happening. The letter asked for permission to use Terry's name and it also asked that the Smiths grant the permission in the form of a letter at their convenience. Mrs. Smith said that when she called to talked to Captain Stark in regards to the letter she began to tell him how great it was that they were dedicating a gymnasium to Terry because he loved sports so much. She was given an answer of "Yes Ma'am, we know." She then told Captain Stark that Terry's father was a radio operator with the Navy in World War II, to which the Captain replied, "Yes Ma'am, we know." Mrs. Smith did not try to find out how it was that they knew what they knew. She did not push the subject because she was just honored to have the Marines dedicating the Gymnasium to her son.
On September 30, 1988, more than twenty years after Terry Smith had died on hill 881 South, he was remembered and memorialized at Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, Arlington, Virginia. There was a ceremony at which the pain of Terry's loss was eased a little more. General Matthew Caulfield gave a speech that honored Terry by telling of his accomplishments throughout life and relating a few stories to the crowd. One story in particular is interesting because of all the negative thoughts Americans seem to have hadabout soldiers in that unpopular war. General Caulfield said that one night Terry was having a discussion with some other Marines that he overheard. They were talking about the war and how much longer it would take before the war would be over. General Caulfield said that he remembers Terry distinctly because that night Terry said, "I was thinking about it, it seems to me those kids (speaking of Vietnamese children) have the same right to grow up the way kids back home grow up."(16)
The General's point in telling this story was not to make everyone at the ceremony think that Terry was totally at peace with why he was in Vietnam. It was more of a story that, true or not true, summed up the kind of person that Terry was and should be remembered as. It is a story that lets his family know that, regardless of the negative stories people tell about soldiers in Vietnam, Terry was different. General Caulfield also told a quick story, not about Terry, but about his mother. The General finished his speech by saying that Mrs. Smith had written in a letter "The Marines" and General Caulfield said he hoped the Smiths would always think of them as "Their Marines."(17)
Through the death of their son, the Marines would always remember the Smiths. That was one other way for the Marines to honor Terry.
When word reached Tennessee of the honor that was to be given to "one of their boys," the Governor and other government officials reached out with their support and a few honors of their own. The Smith family received a letter W.D. Manning, Jr. who was the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs of Tennessee, to inform them that he had heard about the Gymnasium in Virginia that was being dedicated to Terry and that he planned to be at the ceremony.(18) The Governor of Tennessee, Ned McWherter, proclaimed on September 23, 1988 that one week later on the 30th the state would honor Terry on "The Late Terry L. Smith Day."(plates 5)
Another honor that Terry received from the state had its beginnings in 1979. House Joint Resolution No. 239 created the "Tennessee Distinguished Service Medal." Tennessee felt that it was needed a way to honor fallen heroes that would be recognized at the national level. Arlington National Cemetery has a display of awards given from states to their native sons, and Tennessee felt that soldiers like Terry needed to be recognized in such a way. The resolution was passed on May 14, 1979. Ironically, the speaker of the House of Representatives of Tennessee at the time was Ned McWherter who was mentioned above as governor. The "Tennessee Distinguished Service Medal" that McWherter helped pass, was given, for the first time, to Terry.
Today the Marines keep the Smiths informed of events at the Gymnasium. The Marines have been in the process of buildia large addition to the facility which will include a Racquetball area and a Recreational Equipment Issue Point which will enable Marines to check out camping and boating equipment. The Smiths were also told that attempts were being made to upgrade the air conditioning system to provide more cooling power. The gymnasium is referred to as "Terry's House" in a letter from the Recreation Facilities Manager, John Dupont, to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The Marines are certainly doing all they can to make sure the Smiths feel it is their house, as well.(19)
(Plates 6)
The Smiths have had to endure a tragedy that no one ever wants to have happen. The loss of a child is not in the normal cycle of life and most often is completely unexpected. War has kept hundreds of thousands of young men from reaching their full potential in life and unfortunately wars will not cease. The process of remembering and memorializing is all the survivors have to ease the pain. That is why the Terry L. Smith Gymnasium is in Arlington, Virginia. It is there so the Smiths know they are not alone in remembering Terry, because they have the entire Marine Corps with them.
The unfortunate part of remembrance is that in many cases it is only the military that memorializes America's fallen heroes. After the Civil War there was a great rush to remember the men who fought for both the North and the South. The Gettysburg Address was given by Abraham Lincoln at the cemetery where the soldiers were buried after the battle. There were more men that died in the Civil War than in any other war in American history which means more people could say they knew some one who fought and died with honor. Most towns have some sort of memorial dedicated to the men who fought for their country in the Civil War. Here at Dickinson College, in the main public room of the institution, there is a large plaque commemorating the men who served in battle. On the square in Carlisle there is also a memorial for the men from Carlisle who fought. It was a great war in which men fought with honor and courage. It is said that soldiers who had to retreat would do so walking backwards so they would not be shot in the back. Being shot in the back meant two things. The men were either shot by their own men or they were shot running scared from the enemy. Stories like this made the Civil War a great war, if there is such a thing, in the minds and memories of Americans. The men who fought would be remembered forever.
When the First World War was over and the United States had helped save Europe from Imperial Germany's domination, there was again a rush to memorialize the men who fought and died. Although the United States had not been in the war long, there was a justifiable public sense that the presence, as well as the potential, of the American armies made victory certain and sudden. Accordingly, following in the tradition of the Civil War memorializing process, national pride honored American soldiers with plaques and statues in towns across the United States.
The memory of the Second World War was celebrated in much the same way. This time American soldiers had played a very active role in saving the world from the Germans and Japanese. The country had been stirred with "American Pride" and the soldiers returned home to parades in their honor. The country had worked together to win the war and there was once again the need to remember the soldiers. This was the last war that would be thought of so highly by Americans.
The following wars in Asia were different in the affect they had on Americans. Korea was a decade after World War II and the Cold War was reaching bitter temperatures. The Soviet Union had tested its own atomic bomb and Americans were concerned about starting a Third World War. There were debates between the United States government and General MacArthur as to how the war should be fought. President Truman replaced him with General Matthew Rigdeway because he kept speaking out against the government's position towards the war. This was also a United Nations action, similar to the present day situations around the world. This was the first time though that the United Nations had sent troops anywhere and all of this together equaled a "messy war" in the minds of Americans. And there emerged was no urgency to remember this conflict or the men who fought in it. The government was trying to gain support for a war that was being fought to save a country from Communism but Americans were just not ready to accept this idea.
The same thing happened after the Vietnam War. Americans were not ready for this war largely because people were not sure why the United States should care if communism spilled over into South Vietnam. Protests against the government ended in violence and even death. The soldiers trickled home one by one as their tours were finished and there were no parades awaiting the men like the ones their fathers had participated in. Some soldiers actually came home to protest the war. There was no way that remembrance and memorialization would occur in this setting. Americans needed time to get away from the turbulence of the 1960's. The country was not ready to accept the veterans of the Vietnam War as heroes.
This war did change forever the way American soldiers would be remembered. The Vietnam
War Memorial in Washington D.C. was different from any other war memorial ever built in this
country. It was not a glorious statue or monument that could be seen from a distance. It was
built to be a very symbolic monument which people would need to get close to it to understand it
fully. Americans needed to stop distancing themselves from the Vietnam War. Their fellow
Americans had died, and regardless of their beliefs toward the government at the time, they
needed to embrace the memories of the men who did not come home. In the black granite wall,
a person needs to get close to the wall so they can see their reflection signifying that the names
on the wall belonged to ordinary men who were asked to perform extraordinary duties. When
someone sees Terry L. Smith on the wall, they see themselves. He was just like them. It is the
responsibility of all Americans, not just the military, to remember the men and women who have
given their lives to make the world a better place.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Camp, R.D. with Eric Hammel. Lima-6. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.
Hammel, Eric. Ambush Valley.
Hammel, Eric. Khe Sanh Siege in the Clouds.
The Navy Commendation Medal from Lieutenant General V. H. Krulak
to Terry L. Smith.
The Presidential Unit Citation from Lyndon Johnson to the Twenty-Sixth
Marines (Reinforced), Third Marine Division (Reinforced).
The Purple Heart for Terry L. Smith, March 20, 1968.
The Silver Star Medal from the Secretary of the Navy posthumously to
Terry L. Smith.
The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze from Commanding General,
U. S. Marine Corps to Terry L. Smith, January 12, 1968.
From Captain George M. Stark to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, January 12, 1987.
From Colonel David Hancock to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, December 21, 1987.
From Corporal Walter L. Whitesides to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, February 20, 1968.
From John Dupont, Recreational Facilities Manager, Headquarters Battalion
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia to Mr. &
Mrs. Smith, May 24, 1996.
From John Dupont to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, March 5, 1997.
From Michael A. Kehoe to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, February 24, 1968.
From President Lyndon Johnson to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, March 13, 1968.
From W.D.(Bill) Manning, Jr., Commissioner of the Department of Veterans
Affairs for the State of Tennessee, to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, April 29, 1987.
Speech given by General Matthew Caulfield, Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters,
United States Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia. September 30, 1988.
Western Union Telegram from General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, February, 25, 1968.
1. Speech given by Brigadier General Matthew Caulfield at the dedication of the Terry L. Smith Gymnasium at Arlington, Virginia on September 30, 1988. Typescript copy in author's possession. Pg. 2.
2. Herr, Michael. Dispatches.(New York, 19 ), Pg. 88.
4. Speech by General Caulfield. Pg. 4.
6. Camp, Colonel R.D. with Eric Hammel. Lima-6. This entire story is on pages 78 and 79.
8. Speech by General Caulfield. Pg. 5.
9. Hammel, Eric. Khe Sanh Siege in the Clouds. Pg. 287. This book is an oral history in which story after story is told using parts of stories from different men. The story of Terry's mortal wounding is also in this book, although General Caulfield's speech, as cited in the previous endnote, contains a fuller account.
10. Taken from a telegram sent by General Leonard F. Chapman at 828 p.m. EST from Washington D.C.
11. From the citation given by V.H. Krulak, Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps. The only date that appears on the citation is the one citing the day on which the heroic actions took place.
12. Ibid.
13. Taken from the citation for the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. It was dated 12 January 1968 and signed by a Major General of the U.S. Marine Corp although his name is illegible.
14. The Smith family still keeps in contact with Walter and they were able to visit him in 1996.
15. News Release from the office of the Governor of Tennessee.
16. General Caulfield's speech, September 30, 1988. Pg. 3.
17. Ibid. Pg. 8.
18. Letter from W.D. Manning, Jr. to the Smiths on April 29, 1987.
19. Letter from John Dupont to the Smiths on May 24, 1996.