Michael La Vern Smith

The database page for Michael La Vern Smith

Mike entered the United States Army in April, 1967. After training, he began his first tour of duty in South Vietnam on September 6, 1968, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. The following December, Mike was awarded his first Bronze Star Medal for valor in combat. Soon thereafter, Mike received two more Bronze Star Medals and the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action. Mike Smith was killed in action in Binh Duong Province on April 12, 1968, and now sleeps in New Haven Cemetery near Sumner, Michigan. Mike is remembered with love and pride by his classmates from Ithaca High School, Class of 1966 "Tucking myself in at NAS Pensacola, I heard the sound of TAPS each night. When everything was still I listened to the bugler play And I always felt a chill. I always wondered how many times That haunting TAPS had meant "Amen"; When a flag had draped a coffin of a Husband, brother, sister, son, dad, or friend. I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of the fathers, sons and husbands With interrupted lives." ~ Original Author Unknown Adapted by NJG, US Navy Wife, US Navy Mother Mrs. and Mrs. Lavern Smith at Mike's grave, Memorial Day, 2001

A memorial from one who remembers, Nancee Greenlee Contact Us 9 Jul 2001

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)