Snohomish - Veteran's Day 1998. Article The Herald, Nov 11, 1998Font pg article QUOTED IN PART AS FOLLOWS: VETERANS DAY with PIX captioned Donald "Smitty" Smith shortly after his arrival in Vietnam in 1967 (Young full faced, broad smile, dark haired "Smitty") Viet veteran seeking old pal 'Smitty' Ferndale man says Everett Army buddy saved his life By Leslie Moriarty (Carroll's comment - this is a long article, and since it is so long, and I am not used to long articles, I choose to synthesize it as much as possible to relate the essential facts of it to help Don find his buddy. So, that is the primary intent of the following, taken from the whole article. I may abbreviate in some instances, those common to you genealogists out there that might be able to help here. Thanks, Carroll of Snohomish.) DJ or Donald Johnson wants to find his buddy Donald E. Smith - the story essentially this: Don Smith "Smitty" saved "DJ's" life 30 yrs. ago 'Nam. "Smitty fr Everett, WA, DJ from Lake Stevens, WA. They met 1-17-67 induction into Army. Got consecutive Serial numbers. Both basic training Ft. Lewis, CALIFORNIA (article says). Advanced train'g Ft Polk, LA. 2 wks home together B4 being ship'd to 'Nam, same Co. but diff. platoons. Smitty, rifleman, DJ, machine-gunner. During horrific battle Smitty found DJ after forray wounded, paralyzed fr waste down. Smitty carried DJ to unit care; Smitty had to return to battle. DJ evacuated to Nam hosp., then Japan - paralyses determined temp., then to Madigan Hosp, Tacoma -regained use of legs; ret. to active duty Ft. Lewis (WA, presumed) for remainder ov svc. Smitty's heroric featured The Herald 1-23-68 w photo of Smitty. Smitty would sustains wounds later - loss of one eye; blinded in other. Smitty sent Army Hosp. Colorado. Trained for Braille; ret'd to Everett, WA. After losing contact for a time, in 1975 DJ's parents discovered Smitty, held a surprise dinner party for the two pals & wives; Smitty had a new seeing eye dog. 1977 DJ & fam. moved to Ferndale , WA; 1992 lost his job & went into war related depression deeply. Continues to get help, memories keep return'g. DJ has tried Internet searches w/o real success; searched Viet Vet's, called VA. VA officials confirmed as recently as 2 wks ago Smitty receives benefits for blindness, yet officials cannot release info he needs for finding Smitty. DJ feels he is close by, thinks he is divorced, that he had sister, & that his parents names - Margaret and Dick (Richard) Smith. Smitty Class of 1965, Everett High School (Lady Dar, aka Bookstorelady, please note! LOL, Hi, Hi, LAFF, }}}{{{ OR {{{}}} -"CC"). Smitty worked a yr. at Boeing before joining Army. Anyone w info re Donald E. "Smitty" Smith please contact DJ Don Johnson 360-733-3222 or e-mail him DDGJohnson@aol.com END OF SYNTHESIZED INFORMATION GLEANED FROM EVERETT HERALD ARTICLE BY LESLIE MORIARTY. Thanks, Leslie! Good luck, Don and we all hope you find Smitty, asap or pdq! Hope you will have a Happy Vet's Day, you and yours! Best regards, Carroll in Snohomish (male). * * * 30 * * * ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]