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David Arlie Smith
Private First Class
A CO, 2ND BN, 60TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV Army of the United States Cleveland, Ohio June 06, 1947 to July 17, 1967 DAVID A SMITH is on the Wall at Panel 23E, Line 83 |
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Dearest David, You were on this earth for only 20 years. I thank God that I had you as my brother and only sibling. Even though we fought, like most brothers and sisters, when we were little, we always knew we loved each other. You grew up to be a wonderful man and would have made a wonderful father and uncle. God gave me three boys and I got to name the first one after you. So just know that you will never be forgotten by your sister and brother-in-law, Linda (Smith) and Dennis Tidrick and your three nephews, David, Jason and Jonathan. Also, your cousins in Cleveland and West Virginia will never forget you...the Figas family in Cleveland and Lillian (Black) and Patsy Smith in West Virginia. I treasure your many letters and I'm not sure how you wrote such great letters considering what you were going through. I framed your Bronze Star, Purple Heart, South Vietnamese Military Merit Medal and Vietnam Gallantry Cross. I'm so proud of you and you are truly a hero. You had Dad with you in heaven when you got there. Since Mom passed away in 1995 you have her there too and I know she's taking wonderful care of you as she always was the best mother anyone could have and we were so lucky to have her. One of the last things she said before she passed away was that she missed you. The first poem below was sent home by you and read at your military funeral. I'm not sure who wrote it.
And from all of us: God looked around His garden and found an empty place, He then looked down upon the earth and saw your weary face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb, so He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace Be Thine."
From his sister,
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I knew David as a young boy growing up playing cowboys and Indians together with my cousin. He grew into a very handsome young man knowing little fear and willing to try anything once. He faced his own father's death and became a mature individual. David accepted his responsibility to represent his Country, and after months of training and then fighting in Vietnam, his desire grew to accept the challenge to bravely and willingly fight with his fellow friends/soldiers. He died in battle suddenly with honor for his Country and for all of us as well. We miss him, love him, and know we will see him again. He was part of our family (and still is), a friend, and a Hero. I have included a poem to David's sister - she will understand:
For happy times shared through the years,
Time and space may separate us,
Your cousin, |
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To an American War Hero, decorated with the Bronze Star with "V" Device for Valor in combat. He took Basic Training and served in Vietnam with one of my high school classmates, James McClure of Apache, Oklahoma. James was killed in action about two months before the Maker had you join him. Both members of the elite 9th Infantry Divsion and both Infantrymen - the backbone of the Army, the Warriors, the Fighters. Sorry I didn't know you - I am glad I now know of you. For your service to God and Country I thank you and all the other Fallen Warriors. God Bless you and tell James hello for me.
From a friend of a friend,
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