Incident Date 19651228 HMM-161 UH-34D 148801+ - Hostile Fire
[CREW]
Schmid, John Stephen 1stLT AO VMO-2 MAG-16 1965-12-28 (vvm 04E:044)
Schmid, John Stephen 1stLT AO VMO-2 MAG-16 1965-12-28 (vvm 04E:044)
SCHMID JOHN STEPHEN : 084862 : USMCR : 1stLt : O2 : 0302 : 26 : SALEM : WI : 19651228 : hostile, small arms fire, airborne : Crew – Air Observer : body recovered : Quang Nam (Da Nang) : 03 : 19391212 : Cauc : RomanCatholic/married : 04E : 044
Personal Narrative
UH-34D BU Num. 148801, Flt Code 1V3, Mission #12-2359-2 A/B. Squadron HMM-161 PHU BAI. Pilot C. W. Smith Jr. VMO normally flew AO's for spotting. However on this day, a/c availability dictated fragging another squadron. While on mission, with John [known as John John][Schmid] in left seat, south of Da Nang, a sniper hit him under left arm. I had him in Easy Med in less than 2 min. He was KIA. Upon return to VMO area, I offered CO to write a letter to his folks but was told it would be handled by squadron at which time I returned to base.
Submitted by: Charles W. Smith Jr., pilot of UH-34D on mission, 20030802