R.I.P.

Tom Sagan | Dennis Clevenger  | Greg Kowalczyk | Joe  "Smitty" Smith

Joe Smith

Joe Smith is gone.  He passed away on July 22.  And it seemed to me that I could not let this go by without saying something about him. 

Joe was one of the founders of our unit – one of the 5 guys in the unit when I arrived in December, 66.  I always considered him “LRRP No. 1.”  Joe was many things to the unit.  He was Recondo School Graduate #0139.  He was, of course, an instructor for those of us who had not yet attended Recondo School.  He was during those first months of the 196^th LRRP’s existence, in my opinion anyway, the heart and soul of the unit.  It goes without saying that during those early days there was a loose edge to discipline during stand downs.  That did not bother Joe, but he did instill in us tactical and team discipline, as well as a great sense of esprit.  He was the consummate team leader.  In some ways, there was an almost mythical side to him.  The fact that the unit was deemed successful was due in part to Joe’s quiet yet determined leadership.  He was most certainly a mentor to me. 

When I left the service, I lost track of Joe.  I figured that maybe he returned to SF.  Later, when I found out that there was an association encompassing the LRRPs of the 196^th, I made an effort to find my LRRP teammates from the formative era.  But finding someone named Joe Smith, even with the internet, was no easy task.  I had little to go on, not much in the way of documentation; no photos.  But we did find him.  When he was finally located, he gladly joined us at a couple of our reunions.  He was the same Joe.

When his daughter sent me an email to let me know that he passed, I was stunned.  I always assumed that he was blessed with an air of immortality – and would be the last of us to go.  Apparently, he was getting ready to go for a motorcycle ride with some of his vet buddies when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he died.  And he was gone.  Just like that.

As we grow older, we begin to assess our lives and look back on the people who have had influence on us.  Joe was one who influenced my life.  He was a hero of mine. 

Bye Joe!  Thanks for everything!

Tom