Delbert L. Smith
I would like to give you a little background about me:
I’m from South Omaha and I served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969. I went to Marine Corps Boot Camp was in San Diego, CA. After boot camp, I was stationed in Naval Air Station, Memphis, then later went to Cherry Point, NC and then finally arrived in Vietnam for a 13-month tour.
My home base was An Hoa. I was in Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines during this time. I was a radio operator for Hotel Company. We went on daily road sweeps from An Hoa to Phu Loc 6. Among several other operations, I also fought in the Battle of Hue City, fighting house-to-house there during the Tet Offensive.
I returned to the United States to my new duty station, Camp Pendleton, where I completed my service until my Expanded Early Release Program with an Honorable Discharge. I was a Sergeant when I was discharged. After my discharge from the Marine Corps, my family and I returned to Nebraska and purchased a home in Bellevue.
I am privileged to know Del personally. He gave his all to our country during his combat in Vietnam. His unit was called in regularly for combat operations designed to rescue and support Army units that were under brutal attack. His unit suffered heavy casualties and I am lucky to know Del and his family that’s for sure.