Andrew William Smith

Sergeant
HMM-263, MAG-16, 1ST MAW
United States Marine Corps
04 December 1944 - 07 March 1970
Phoenix, AZ
Panel 13W Line 094

1ST MAW

CH-46

HMM-263
Andrew W Smith

USN Combat Aircrew

Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Andrew William Smith

SGT William Andrew Smith served as a gunner with HMM-263 and HMM-364. The photo was taken during his second tour in Vietnam. I flew many missions with him as the other gunner on CH-46s. I was serving with HML-367 (AH-1G Cobras) in 1970 and was able to get time off to fly as a gunner with HMM-263 and HMM-364. We were both Sergeants on multiple Vietnam tours. Andy loved flying. He was killed in action on 07 March 70.

The photo was provided by Allyn Hinton, HML-167, 69/70.

Semper Fidelis

George T. Curtis
"CURT"
Master Gunnery Sergeant
USMC Retired 66-91

A note from The Virtual Wall

CH-46A BuNo 154043 of HMM-263 launched on a "chase" mission, covering a UH-1 Huey carrying a senior officer. The flight had been delayed due to weather, which still was marginal. While over water near Danang the aircraft went into cloud and accidentally impacted the water. Four of the five crewmen aboard died in the crash:
  • CAPT Albert Henry Gates Jr., pilot, died, body not recovered
  • 1stLT Kay Kazu Kimura, copilot, died, body recovered
  • SGT Andrew William Smith, gunner, died, body recovered
  • CPL Glenn Frederic Austin, crew chief, died, body recovered
  • Gunner, name unknown, survived




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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 08/10/2009