Smith, Danny, MSgt

I've been employed by Schnieder Natl.,Swift Transportaton & Averitt Exprsess.I started as a Driver,before becomming a Driver Training Engineer and later worked as a Field Recruiter with Human Resources,Risk Management and Saftey. What a way to see The Country and get paid for it.My travles took me Coast-to-Coast,East to West-North to South and to many Military Bases as I was Looking for a Few Good Men and Women to enter the transportation industry upon completion of thier tour of active duty. Currently I'm simi retired-that means I do not drive the big rigs anymore. Instead I ride my dressed out,Honda VT-1100 Shadow Sprit in this wonderful AZ weather.I can not afford a Harley.(because my ex gets half of my Marine Corps retirement pay).

I am a LIFE MEMBER of The MARINE CORPS LEAUGE. I've served as Past Jr.Vice Commandant,Adjutant and Chaplin.I have been involved with The Toys for Tots program and The Marine for Life Program. The White Water Valley Detachment of The Marine Corps League,Richmond,Indiana is The Original Home Detachment of then National Commandant,Diana DILLS of Centerville,Indiana.I have a picture of 1stSgt Larry Hansen and I when we had the privilage of escorting The Marine Corps Birthday Cake and cutting a piece and presenting it to our guest speaker,GySgt Carlos HATHCOCK USMC Retired. He is the famous Scout Sniper known as "White Feather" during The Vietnam War.He's the author of; "One Shot,One Kill". As tradition has it, we cut the second piece of The Marine Corps Birthday cake with a NCO Sword and passed it to the oldest Marine present,who passed it to the youngest Marine present.(Of which I was niether). Upon relocating I transfered my membership to The Marine Corps League in Northern Ky Detachment 1006 and since moving to Arizona I am now a Life Member of The Marine Corps League's Old Breed Detachment 767 of Glendale,AZ. We are active in the Greater Phoenix Metro area and travel annualy to The Gila River Indian Reservation in Sacaton,Arizona,which is the ancestral home of Cpl Ira HAYES USMC,a Pima Indian who was one of The Flag Raiser of Mt.Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima & to Honor all the Brave Souls,& The Navajo Indian Code talkers of WWII. The Greatest Generation of true Americans.

Best Friends
I joined The Marines on The Buddy Plan with Daniel R.BASLER.He to was from Richmond,Indiana and was also born in Cincinati.BASLER served as a Rifleman with Kilo Company Third Battalion,Seventh Marine Regiment,Third Marine Division in Vietnam.Also there was Arlie "DeWayne" WHISENHUNT USMC"R"(Reserve)Dewayne could not keep from smiling all the way thru boot camp,I often wondered why and later found out the he went back to Abilene,Tx as a Motor Transportation Reservist having completed his six months of active duty and did six years in The Reserves one week-end a month and two weeks in the summer.Un-like Basler who singed up for a two year hitch and me for four years,now I know why he was laughing. I also want to mention another "Best Friend" even though I could not convince him to join The Marines with me.He is Army Specialist 5 Gerald Vincent VAN WINKLE,Regular U.S. Army.He was also born in Cincinnati and his family is origanally from Kentucky,as were mine.Gerald graduated with The Class of 1969. The last time I saw Gerald was in October 1969 at Centerl Baptist Church.We were both home on Boot Camp Leave,I have a picture of us in uniform in front of the church.By the way that was the last time I'd see Barbara my New Bride until 32 years later but that's another story***see Worse Moment below.

Best Moment
Two (2) years passed and Dan BASLER returned from Vietnam and we had a reunion at Camp Lejeune after he had also done a 6 month tour of duty in Cuba.I drove him back home to Indiana after he was discharged from active duty....Advance 20 yrs,I got out and came back to Richmond. Sometime later Basler and I were able to attend a Marine Corps Birthday Ball at The Gault House in Louisville,Ky.I presented Basler with a copy of our Original Orders that started our adventure and life in The Marine Corps which took us in different directions,We stay in touch to this day.

Worst Moment
When ever "Mad Man" SSgt McBROOM (our D.I.)had the duty. One D.I. always plays the bad guy,it's all part of "the game" the game is also very physically demanding in addition to mentally,which is all part of Boot Camp and the making of a Marine. **Continued from Best Friends**...two years later in the fall of 1971 while serving on The USS.GUADALCANAL LPH-7 (A HELICOPTER CARRIER)in the middle of The Mediterranean Sea,I wrote a letter to My Best Friend,Spc.5 Gerald Viencent VAN WINKLE (R.A.) Charlie Company 159th Batallion of the 101's Air Bourne Division Vietnam...The Letter was returned to me while I was still at sea,it was sometime in October 1971. I will "Never Forget" it was from The Department of The Army informing me that My Best Fried had been killed on 18 September 1971...I hold on to that letter & have a Memorial both inside and outside my house in mememory of My Best Friend & My Son both named Gerald and both only with us in Spirit..Continued below **"Other Memories"**

Instructors
Senior Drill Instructor (Platoon Commander)was SSgt.F.B.BAKER, Our Junior D.I's. were SSgt.McBROOM,Sgt.R.SANCHEZ & Cpl.D.L.STOUT.The Series Gunnery Sergeant was P.L.ALBERT,The Series Commander was 1stLt D.S.RANDALL.The Commanding General of The Marine Corps Recruit Depot was Major General Lowelle E. ENGLISH,The Commanding Officer of The Recruit Training Regiment was Colonel James W. Donnell,The Commanding Officer of Alpha Company was Captain D.H. WILLOUGHBY,The Executive Officer was Major L.K. BROWN,our Sergeant Major was R.F.SNYDER

Other Memories
We were in The Receiving Barracks,in the process of forming from the 3rd of July until our pltoon was picked up.Our Training Commenced on the 14th of July 1969. Fourty (40%) of our Original Pltoon of eighty (80)recruits Graduated from Boot Camp on (9/11)& were called Marines for the first time.How ironic...Not only did I arrive on the early morning of The 4th of July...We Graduated on September,11,1969. While in Boot Camp...America,"Landed On The Moon"...I thought I was "On The Moon"...the minute I stepped foot onto "The Yellow Foot Prints" the first step to becoming a UNITED STATES Marine but first The Marine Corps had to tear us down and start the rebuilding process,not only in Body but also in Mind and Spirit."Once a Marine,Always a MARINE! You learn what "Semper Fidelis" means,which is Latin for Our Motto,"Always Faithful" Faithful to GOD,Country,and Corps. **Continued from Worse Memories"** If you are ever in Richmond,Indiana,There is a Memorial Brick for Gerald V.VanWinkle at The Senior High School. Or you can visit Gerald,he is at rest in The Earlham Cemetery,Located next to Earlham College,just West of our High School,on US Hwy 40. His stone is Black Granite (just like "The Wall") and it states,"For Those That Never Fought Will Never Know What Freedom Is." Gerald will Always Be Remembered in a place called (LZ)Landing Zone,"White Water." It's located in The White Water Valley Gorge,on The White Water River,just down the hill from our High School and up stream.Gerald's name along with all the others from Wayne County, Indiana that were lost to The Vietnam War are listed on "The Wall" along side of the Peaceful White Water River. When in Washington,D.C. be sure to see "The Vietnam Wall" you will find Gerald,left of center,on panel 2W-line 19. Until we meet again,"On The High Ground" I will Continue to Carry On. Semper Fi. My Brothers.Thank You for your Service And Sacrifice for "All Gave Some-SOME GAVE ALL." r.i.p. Not only on Veterens Day but everyday take the time to say,Thank You,Welcome Home or Welcome Back to those that have served and not only on Memorial Day Remember those that are no longer in our ranks here on this earth.On the 4th of July and everyday that you see The American Flag...Remember that Freedom is Not Free.