Ron Smitham, wife Jean 

SMSgt retired

Born May 9th 1936

Entered Air Force June 1954

Retired June 1977

Basic training June-Sept 1954

First assignment, Eglin AFB , direct duty assignment, helicopter 43010.

Supposed to be for new helicopter YH-16, long range search & rescue for B-36 crews shot down in Alaska. B-36 cancelled, YH-16 cancelled. First assignment, YH-21 blade de-icing test, climatic hanger, then H-19 asst c/c, eventualy c/c, flight status

Sept 1957-assigned to the 56th ARS, Sidi Slimane AB, French Morocco. C/C SH-19 until Oct 1958

SEPT 1958 assigned to Lowry AFB, Colo. C/C H-21A/B, FE. Local base rescue, AF academy support. Missile site support until Dec 1961

Assigned to the 1001st Helicopter flight, Bolling AFB Washington D.C, then 1001st Heli.Sqdn/1st HS Andrews AFB MD. Assg. FE section till Jan 1967

Jan 1967, HH-43 school, Shephard AFB TX April, Aircrew survival school, Fairchild AFB

June, Jungle Survival School, Clark AFB, Philippines

June 1967-- Det 12, 38th ARRS, Nha Trang AB, RVN, HH-43B/F. Sept 1967 transferred to Det 11, 38th ARRS, Tuy Hoa AB, Rvn, HH-43B till June 1968

June 1968, assg. to 1001st Helicopter Sqdn. Andrews AFB Maryland. Phase Maint. Chief, H-21B, FCF flight mechanic.  Jan. 1970,UH-1N school, Shephard AFB. Received new UH-1N's in 1972

Sept. 1972, receive assignment to 1131st Special Sqdn., A&A, MACV, helicopter advisory to the VNAF, VNAF headquarters, Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN. Was one of the last 199 troops to leave Vietnam, March 1973 after the peace accord was signed 1973

April 1973, returned to 1st HS, phase maint chief, UH-IN/CH-3E then flt chief UH-1N, then NCOIC QC, where I retired June1977

Upon retirement, did not pusue another career. Worked in construction, bartending, retiring in 1990 from bar/pro shop/clubhouse manger, Iron River country club

Wife kept working {her own Idea} as I worked on my golf game. I'm still working at it, don't look for me to be in the "masters"

That be it, not very exciting or interesting. Had a very enjoyable AF career. Helicopters only way to go

Forgot to mention, in 1976, Lt/Col retired, John slattery & I flew one of our old H-21's that a civilian bought to [ Roofing contractor} Milwaukee Wisc. Interesting trip.

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~