Original Items: One-of-a-kind set. This is an absolutely fantastic grouping attributed to 1st Lieutenant William R. Smith, a OH-6 Cayuse (aka “Loach”) Pilot who served with a Hunter-Killer Team with B Troop, 3/17th Cavalry in Vietnam, 1969-1970. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times within two months in 1969! He served in Vietnam until 1972.

The term "Out of the Woodwork" is an often overused term in military collecting, but there are times where that term exactly describes how an item came to market and this is one of those times. This grouping has never been on the collector market before, having come directly from the veteran’s estate less than two weeks ago! Rarely do Vietnam Army Aviation Groupings come available, and when they do they are not nearly as extensive as Captain Smith’s.

1st Lieutenant William R. Smith  (Callsign “Stogie 9”) of Maryland was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on three occasions in Vietnam while serving as Scout Helicopter Pilot with B Troop, 3-17th Cavalry “Burning Stogies”. The Regiment was assigned to both the 1st Air Cavalry Division and the 1st Aviation Brigade during the Vietnam War.  Smith was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1965, and assigned as an  active duty Armored officer in 1967. Following completing Armor and Aviation School, he was sent to Vietnam where he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses with two months in 1969: March 18th in Binh Thanh, April 18th in Tan Tau, and May 12th in Thua Tua.

The “Stogies”, as they were called, was a composite unit combining OH-6 Cayuse (or “Loach”), and AH-1 Cobras in what was referred to as Hunter-Killer Teams. The small maneuverable Loaches were the “Hunters”, which would locate targets, with the Cobras acting as the ‘Killers”, which would engage the targets located by the Loaches.

An audio clip of original transmissions between members of 1/6th Cavalry and 3/17th Cavalry engaged on a Hunter-Killer Mission in Tan Am, Vietnam 1969 is available to listen to on Youtube. Lt. Smith could very well be one of the voices heard on the recording! Be forewarned, some of the language in the recording is not for the faint of heart!

Following Vietnam Smith had several assignments, ranging from the 10th Armored Cavalry, US Army Recruiting Command, 1st Cavalry Division, 13th Aviation Battalion, 6th Air Cavalry Combat Brigade, and General Staff Officer for the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Smith retired as a Major in June, 1987.

During his career he was awarded 32 Personal Decorations; 3 Valor Awards, 25 for Meritorious Achievement, and 4 for Meritorious Service. Smith was later involved in a career with the Government of the State of Maryland. He was heavily involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), as well as the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s Association (VHPA), serving in various functions in both organizations.

Included in this time capsule  are the following items:

-Winged Sabers: The Air Cavalry in Vietnam by Lawrence H. Johnson III. Signed by the author with additional inscription thanking Smith for his help with the book. Smith is pictured in the book on a few pages. This is a rather comprehensive work, covering a brief history of each squadron that served in Vietnam, but also their insignia, and personal equipment the crews used. This is a rather invaluable resource for the researcher!  The book has two letters from the author regarding writing the book, along with some other mementos.

- Large Painted Wooden Sign from the B. Troop 3/17th Cavalry Officer’s Club in Vietnam. This massive piece measures 38.5” x 51”, and is hand painted on wood, with the crossed sabres being a cut out separate piece, giving it a three-dimensional appearance. It was conveyed from a family member that this hung in the Officer’s Club incountry and was sent home by Smith.

-Framed Original Distinguished Flying Cross Citation. From Smith’s action on May 12, 1969. Awarded August 10th, 1969. In Period Frame.

-Distinguished Flying Cross Mounted on Plaque. Presented by The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. With Inscription: “1st Lieutenant William R. Smith/18 Mar 69 Binh Thanh/ 18 Apr 69 Tan Tru/ 12 May 69/Thua Tua”.

-Presentation Plaque Awarded to Captain Smith in Commemoration of His Tour with B Troop, 3/17th Cavalry in 1969. The plaque features Vietnamese-Made “Beercan” Insignias of the 1st Aviation Brigade, 17th Cavalry and B Troop, with an engraved plaque “CPT/William R. Smith/Stogie 9/Sep 68-Sep 69”

-B Troop, 3/17th Cavalry “Beercan” Insignia “Pocket Patch”. This is an original piece which was obtained in Vietnam and worn by Smith at reunions. It is currently on his Blazer Smith wore to reunions.

-SPH-4 Helicopter Helmet Dated 1971, Size “Regular”, by Gentex with Helmet Bag. This is one of Campatin Smith’s Helmets, likely used during Vietnam and used during his career as an aviation officer. The Bag has sewn on various insignia spanning his career.

-Survival Vest with Contents, SRU-21/P, Dated 1970. Size Large. Includes a complete HOT/WET Survival Kit, Survival Net Dated 1970, Tourniquet, Survival Lighter, Earplugs with Case, “U.S.” Marked Pilot’s Pen Flashlight, Issue Penflare (Sealed) with Flares (Sealed), with 1970 Dated Instruction Sheet, Signal Mirror, Whistle (Postwar Dated), Signal/Distress Strobe, 1969 Dated Lensatic Compass (marked “radioactive”), Collapsible Water Bladder.

-Veteran’s Reunion Blazer with VFW Overseas Cap. Just the way it was pulled from the closet. The Blazer is a contemporary garment worn at reunions. On the jacket is Smith’s original 3/17th Stogie “Beercan”, contemporary miniature ribbon rack, and miniature Army Pilot Wings. The Cap features various pins.

-Insignia: Rank Insignia, Medal Ribbons, Squadron Patches (Some Theater Made), Rank Insignia, etc.

-General Purpose 1st Aid Kit, Dated 1970, with Contents

-Two- Piece Nomex Flight Suit. Shirt is Size Medium-Regular, with no visible date. Trousers are size Medium-Long, with a 1971 Date. Comes with Issue Belt.

-MA1 Flight Jacket, Size Large, Dated 1972. Has a Government Issue  Skillcraft Pen and a Period Mechanical Pencil still seated in the arm pocket. Zipper is functional, as well as the snaps.

-Various Field Gear: M-1956 Canteen Cover, M-1956 1st Aid Pouch with Dressing, MX-991/U Flashlight, 1952 Dated Cup (From Officer’s Mess Set). Private Purchase Poncho in Case.

-US Marked .38 Revolver Hip Holster, Dated 1954 (Rock Island Arsenal Marked)

-Western W-49 Bowie Knife mounted on Plaque: It was relayed by a family member  that Smith was known for carrying a W-49 Knife during his time in Vietnam, and his subsequent assignment with the 10th Cavalry Regiment. This Plaque dates from 1973, commemorating his period as Bravo Troop Commander, by the men he commanded.  We were told this is the knife he carried in Vietnam.

-Miniature Sabre Desk Piece. Presented by members of the 6th Cavalry Brigade. Again, another piece dating from Smith’s Post-Vietnam career in the 1970s.

-“Parking for (Loach) Pilots Only/ VHPA”- An item sold through the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s Association for Members, likely in the 1990s at Reunions.

-Identity Tags and Lanyards from Veteran’s Reunions. Approximately 18 Tags on Neck Lanyards (some decorated with pins). In addition, there are also a number of tags from work-related functions, ID badges, etc.

-Escape and Evasion Manual, 1965 dated with Insert on identifying and disarming Soviet/ComBloc Mine Fuses.
 

-Manuals/Papers: Pistols and Revolvers Manual, 1971, Aviator’s Handbook, 1974, Armed Forces Officer’s Guide. 1965. Official Efficiency and Records Folders (Empty).

-Period Photo Slides. Roughly 40. Some appear to be of Vietnam, some look like they were taken during R&R in Japan. 

-Nomex Flight Gloves, Dated 1974

-Framed Pieces: Smith’s Framed Commission from 1965. “I’am Army Aviation” Advertisement remobed from Period magazine. “Ambitious, Able, Audacious Above All” Light hearted cartoon print of Army Aviators.

- Please review to images of this set to see everything included.

History of B Troop, 3/17th Cavalry in Vietnam:
3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry was established February 1 1963, and Troop B (Air) was activated February 7, 1963, at Fort Rucker, Alabama. LTC John B. Stockton, founder of Air Cavalry tradition of the Stetson, commanded the Squadron, which was constituted on February 15 1963, and assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (Test). The rest of the Troops activated March 19 1964 at Fort Benning, Georgia and began initial training of air assault and air mobility tactics and operations at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Squadron was redesignated 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry and deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division and 3-17 Cavalry designation was deactivated .

3-17 Cav reactivated on November 25 1966, at Fort Knox, Kentucky and soon deployed to Vietnam comprising five troops: a headquarters troop, three flight troops, and an armored scout (infantry) troop. Headquarters Troop (HHT, Redhorse) was a flight troop, but was also responsible for all the support functions of the Squadron. Alpha (Silver Spurs), Bravo (Burning Stogies), and Charlie (Charlie Horse) Troops were the primary aviation troops with the majority of the aircrews and aircraft. Delta Troop (Blue Tigers) was the ground cavalry reconnaissance troop.

The Squadron arrived in Vietnam October 14 thru November 2, 1967, and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Group. The Squadron was responsible for air cavalry support in the western part of the III Corps Tactical Zone, consisting of attack, reconnaissance, air assault, and resupply missions. On July 20 1970, 3-17 Cavalry was assigned directly to II Field Force Vietnam, and later that year placed under the operational control of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 1st Cavalry Division combined 3-17 with 1-9 Cavalry to form US Army's first air cavalry brigade.

On April 30 1972, the Squadron returned home as the second-longest serving air cavalry squadron in Vietnam. For its actions, the squadron was awarded the Valorous Unit Award with streamer embroidered, "Cambodia" and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, streamer embroidered, "Vietnam 1967-1968". Following its redeployment, the squadron was inactivated on June 19 1973, at Fort Lewis, Washington.