174th Assault
Helicopter Company


DOLPHINS & SHARKS

Major Derald Smith's Photos
1966-67

Major Smith and Captain Banke

Bao Loc tea plantation raid

"This first photo is Captain John Banke beside Dolphin 946 early in 1967 at the massive Bao Loc tea plantation raid. This was the POW rescue that was a failure--the camp was deserted by the time we got to it." Derald and John were flying together this day. It looks as though 546's right pilot's door may have been recently replaced. "Banke was one of the reserve officers illegally retained in-service at the end of his contracted tour of duty and sent to RVN."

This is Major Derald Smith with Dolphin 946

(Your webmaster was surprised to note that this is the same aircraft that he--Jim McDaniel--crashed on a mountain side six-to-eight months later after taking a single round in the engine. Click on the blue cube to see an account of that crash.)