Captain Ed Smith's Photo Collection
Ed Smith arrived in A Company on April 15th, 1967 replacing Allyn J Palmer, who was reassigned as Battalion S-4 Officer. He assumed leadership of our Company during a turbulent period, which was made more difficult because of the loss of so many of our original veterans who were sent to other units. Many green troops arrived in the Unit. His leadership would be tested in this reconstituted Company of tired veterans and anxious rookies.
Ed served as a stabilizing effect on the men, old and new, as he brought with him a dazzling portfolio of experience. Included was a tour in Germany with the 4th Armored Division from 1959-62 and a tour as an American Advisor to the ARVN in Vietnam in 1963. Upon returning from Vietnam, Ed taught platoon and company tactics at the Infantry School and attended the Infantry Officer’s Advance Course at Fort Benning. He immediately volunteered to return to Vietnam, arriving in Vietnam in July 1966.
He arrived in Vietnam in June, 1966 and was assigned as the Intelligence Officer, Special Troops, US Army Vietnam. He wasn't interested in this position and immediately put in for a combat assignment in a front line Unit. In November he was delighted to be sent to the 3rd Brigade of the 4th ID to serve as the Asst. Operations Officer. It still wasn't his ultimate goal, but he was closer to the action. In April, as the normal 6 month period of Command of A Company arrived for Capt. Palmer, Ed was given the Command and at last, he was back in the action of a Rifle Company.
Ed took a number of outstanding photos that will be easily recognized by any of the men who served in our Company during this period of the conflict. In the following links I will try to describe the events recorded. Click on the link below and follow the subsequent links to view the entire collection.