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It’s hard to find the right words when you lose a Marine brother that served beside you and was a special friend. Mark “Smitty “ Smith was that Marine. He left an impression that time will never erase.
We will remember Smitty for his courage and bravery during combat. He was a squad leader in the 2nd platoon that had the respect of his men. One example is when he was with Lt. John Joyce and they were both ambushed and wounded by enemy machine gun fire on Operation Oklahoma Hills. Lt. Joyce was mortally wounded and Smitty, in spite of his wounds, continued to battle the enemy to the end.
Nearly six decades may have passed since we served together in Vietnam, but those bonds formed in combat do not fade with time. We remember the young Marine he was, the courage he showed, the men he led, and the friendship he gave us.
Rest easy , Smitty.
You will never be forgotten.
Rick Owens
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Smitty at one of the recent Kilo 3/26 Reunions
Smitty - Vietnam 1969
(L-R) Smitty, Mitch, Whitey and their squad leader Rick.
