SSG Donald Lavern Smith, Fennimore, WI on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

Remembering Donald Smith

It has been fifty years since Donald Smith lost his life in Vietnam. Smith was killed on December 21, 1967.

Born to Donald and Marcella Smith on June 18, 1943, Donald, aka Donnie or Butch, was one of their 12 children and he grew up on 12th Street, Fennimore, Wisconsin. The street was renamed Memorial Drive in his, CPL Francis Trainor Mulvey (killed in Vietnam on August 25, 1968) and Peter Novinska's honor. Mulvey and Smith died in Vietnam and Novinska died from pneumonia whilst completing his training in the United States.

SSG Smith attended Kindergarten at Fennimore Grade School before attending Saint Mary's Catholic Grade school. He was in the 1962 Class at Fennimore High School.

This grade school photo contains picture of Francis Mulvey (Row 1, Left), Mary Smith (Row 1, 3rd from left), Larry Smith (Row 2, second from right; striped shirt), Donnie Smith (Row 4, last on right) and siblings of Peter Novinska (Alice Row 1 next to Mulvey and Steve, 3rd from right, row 1).

Early Military Service

Smith joined the United States Army in October 1961 and attended Basic Training in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, followed by Advance Individual Training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where he qualified to be a Heavy Weapons Infantryman. He was assigned to Germany and served with the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry.

After being promoted to the rank of Sergeant, he served as a Squad Leader. The unit was responsible for conducting border operations near the border with East Germany.

During his tour in Germany, Smith attended the NCO Academy and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Expert Infantry Badge and qualified as a sharpshooter with the M-14 Rifle. During his tour with the 30th Infantry he was authorized to wear the Army Presidential Unit Citation ribbon and the French Fourragere, both having been awarded during World War II. He was released from Active Duty in October 1964 and received an Honorable Discharge on August 15, 1966.

After spending time in Fennimore, Smith re-enlisted in the Army. Once again Smith was assigned to Germany, this time with 3d Cavalry Regiment (Brave Rifles). He was authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation which had been awarded to the unit during World War II. He attended the 8th Army's Airborne School at Wiesbaden Air Base, and earned the Basic Parachutist Badge. He also become a Karate Black Belt and earned his GED. He volunteered to be reassigned to Vietnam and after leave arrived in Vietnam on October 4, 1967.

Vietnam Service

After going through Preparatory or "P" training Smith was assigned to C Company 2nd Battalion of the 327th Infantry (No Slack), 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (the Screaming Eagles). It is during "P" training that he became familiar with operating in the jungles of Vietnam. His unit was the first to have such training which was later adopted for all Army units. The 1st Brigade operated where needed throughout Vietnam and was referred to as the Nomads. During Smith's time in Vietnam his unit became involved in numerous contacts with enemy force. One such engagement saw the loss of the Company Commander and First Sergeant [research of database determined it was then CPT(P) MAJ Antonio Michael Mavroudis, New York, New York, and 1SG Nelson Page Henry, Crossville, Tennessee]. Smith had written home to his parents and told them that he was one of seven who returned from a 12-man patrol.

2nd Platoon, C Company, 2/327th Infantry, lost three men while operating in Lam Dong Province on 21 December 1967:

In addition to the 3 men killed, unit records and documentation provided by SSG Smith's family, SP4 David Leroy Glowczewskie was critcally wounded when the mine blast amputated his lower legs. He survived those wounds after a long recovery, was medically retired, but died in a single automobile accident on 27 March 1969 near Citra Florida, two days before his 22nd birthday. He was buried in Anthony Cemetery, Anthony, Florida. He is buried with his parents, Margaret D (1917-2002) and Frank P. Glowczekskie Sr (1898-1978).

During SSG Smith's training and 1st tour, he was awarded several skill badges, as noted below. Upon his death, he was awarded a Military Merit Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm from the government of South Vietnam for service in defense of their country. More details about foreign medals can be found here.

The local paper announced his death and funeral in articles such as the following:

American Legion Honor Guard at December Funeral
(Note date picture developed).

SSG Donald "Donnie" Lavern Smith is buried Saint Marys Catholic Church Cemetery, Fennimore, Grant County, Wisconsin. With him are his mother Marcella B. (Wiest) Smith (1913-2013), father Donald Leonard Smith (1910-1980), brother Lawrence R. "Larry" Smith (1944-1996) (Served in US Army 1965-1967; seriously wounded in Vietnam July 16, 1967), and sister Patricia "Patty" L. Smith (1941-2013).

Buried elsewhere are siblings Betty Catherine Bandekow (1934-1992), Jack "Jackie" Dean Smith (1935-1998), Annette Wilma Dopson (1938-2007), Linda Leemarie Kirchefer (1942-1996), James Smith (1948-1975), and Joseph and Marcella Smith, infants.

SSG Donald Lavern Smith is currently survived by his sister Mary Thornton, Marietta, Geogia; brother David Smith, Monfort, Wisconsin; and daughter Tammy Derrickson.

- - The Virtual Wall, February 10, 2020