STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of HM1 Kenneth Smith, U.S. Navy (1987-2007)

I had always wanted to join the Navy, ever since I was 12 years old.

My uncle was in the Navy and he would always come home with more sea stories to tell.

When my dad went back in the Navy, after 10 years of broken service, we moved to San Diego. I was immersed in the Navy culture and I knew I wanted to become a Sailor. I joined the Sea Cadet Corps and stayed in it for 3 years, until we moved to Minneapolis, MN.

I joined the Minnesota National Guard, while still in high school because the Navy didn’t want me until I graduated. I wanted to serve my country as soon as I could I finally joined the Navy in April of 1987 and went to Boot Camp in Jun 1987.

While in Boot Camp, a Chaplin asked my company why we joined. I was the only one in the company to say I simply wanted to serve my country. It was not popular, back then, to be as patriotic as I was. But I was proud to serve, and I am proud to have gotten as far as I did.

I became a Hospital Corpsman. It was chosen for me, by the Classification section of the MEPS, when I enlisted. I never thought about getting into the medical side of the Navy. After several years of doing it, I realized I was good at it.

I spent most of my career with Marines and in hospitals. I was stationed on 2 ships (USS Aylwin and USS Austin), but the thought of being stationed on ships paled in comparison of being with Marines and gaining their respect. I had more responsibility and was counted on to keep the Marines fit and healthy to continue their mission. I had a blast working with those guys.

My first deployment was UNITAS XXXI. I was assigned to the AAV Platoon of MARDET UNITAS. I deployed to 8 countries in South America, aboard the USS Harlen County (LST-1196), From June to December 1990. This was during the time of Operation Desert Shield. When I got back to my parent battalion, in Camp Lejeune, I was told by the Division Surgeon I could not go with my parent battalion, because there was no one to replace me at MARDET UNITAS. So, I spent all of Desert Shield at home. I was told by my MARDET Commanding Officer that I would see Iraq before I retired.

My next deployment I was ships company, aboard the USS Austin (LPD-4), to the Mediterranean Sea, from September 1992 to March 1993. We participated in supporting fly-over actions over Kosovo-Herzegovina. We patrolled the Adriatic Sea for about 2 months, during that operation. I was part of the Medical Department, as a General Duty Corpsman. Besides daily sick call, I was part of the motor whaleboat crew, the Flying Squad, medical coverage for the sea and anchor detail, and I was a flight deck Corpsman, for a while.

While stationed at the National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, in 1994, I was mobilized to deploy aboard the USNS Comfort (TA-H-20). We were the main medical support for security operations in Haiti. I was a member of the Military Medicine Division, conducting sick call to the ship’s company. We were also tasked with the triage of the casualties that came aboard the ship.

In 1998 I was a member of MSSG-22, 22 MEU. I deployed back aboard the USS Austin, this time as embarked troops. I was a member of the medical platoon, in charge of 19 junior Hospital Corpsmen. We participated in the security augmentation of the US Embassy in Albania, that year.

In 2003 I was stationed at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune when I was mobilized to deploy with Fleet Hospital 20. We deployed to Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. We were the primary medical support for the detainees, brought over from Afghanistan. What is interesting is that we arrived the same day the first detainees arrived. So, we hit the ground running and basically wrote the book on securing and caring for the detainees. I witnessed the detainees transition from the temporary site at the famous Camp X-Ray, to the more permanent Camp Delta. I was in charge of the inpatient ward, supervising

In 2005 I was stationed at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA, when I was mobilized to deploy to Iraq. I was part of CLB-8, Fallujah Surgical/Shock Trauma Platoon. I was the platoon’s Leading Petty Officer, in charge of over 30 junior Hospital Corpsmen. The most rewarding work I had done, during my entire career was during this deployment. Not only was I in charge of a great bunch of guys I was also the only orthopedic technician in the area. I taught the junior Corpsmen how to fabricate basic splints and even had to make a removable knee immobilizer from scratch. I had to do a lot of out-of-the-box thinking, during that deployment. We were there from Aug 2005 to Apr 2006.

My favorite was my last deployment, to Fallujah, Iraq. I got to serve with a great group of junior Corpsmen. They learned very quickly and adapted to the environment, just as easily. We were able to find the groove we were comfortable with and treated a lot of combat and medical casualties, with ease. I also had 8 Marines with our platoon, who were just as junior and they performed with the greatest of professionalism.

My worst would have to be the same deployment. While we were able to save many lives, we were lost quite a few, as well. It made me think about my future in the medical field and it was a reason I’m no longer treating patients. I think, that after 20 years of treating patients, I needed a change. That is why I am a Police Officer, now, instead of a Paramedic.

At the beginning of my career, I was so energized and set on serving aboard a naval ship. I never thought I would come to love working with the Marines. I gained more respect and responsibility working with Marines than I did aboard ship. Aboard ship, I was, more or less, just another “blue shirt”, needed for working parties, Field Day, etc. It was only during sick call hours that I was valuable to the crew. However, I learned that it still takes a team effort to make a ship run. I gained a lot of friends and had a good time.

But, I had an even better time with the Marines. The term “Doc” definitely came from the Marines the Corpsmen care for. I was afforded the opportunity to take charge of different groups, signed for millions of dollars of equipment, and I gained more respect with every Marine I treated. I was proud to wear the Marine uniform, as their Corpsman.

What achievement(s) are you most proud of from your military career?

I earned 4 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and 1 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Of all of those awards, I would be most proud of my first NAM. It was awarded to me by the 2nd Medical Battalion Commander. I had been in the Navy for 13 1/2 years, at that time. I was in charge of the triage section of a surgical company, working with a detachment of Canadian Forces personnel, during a field training operation, in August of 2000.

It was a very rewarding experience and I learned a lot about training and supervising others, without even trying to be in charge. Everyone was easy to work with and I was very proud to have been given the opportunity to lead them.

My second reenlistment was the best I had in my entire career. My reenlistment Officer was a brand new LCDR, who had just gotten commissioned after he became a spine surgeon. I chose him because I wanted him to get the full experience of being a Naval Officer. I asked him to wear his dress whites and memorize the oath of enlistment. He then went into a physical training program, in order to fit into those dress whites. He pulled it off, flawlessly!

When it was all done he presented me with a crystal Navy seal, that I still display. He was the best sport about the whole thing. I still appreciate all he did for me, that day.

Jim May and Jesse Oswalt gave me the courage, strength, and confidence to be a good leader. Jim May was my LPO and Jesse Oswalt was my LCPO, of Medical Platoon, 2nd MSSG, in 1998. I was tasked with being the admin person, and I was the only HM2 in the platoon. So, I was also tasked with training and leading the junior Corpsmen of the platoon. Those two leaders helped me learn by allowing me to fail and pick myself back up. I learned how to mold the junior guys into a great team. And I also learned how to be a mentor for the ones who needed it the most.

I’m still in contact with those two. Incidentally, Jesse Oswalt was not only my LCPO, but he was also my first martial arts instructor, teaching me Tae Kwon Do. I was able to test for my first three belts, in one day. If that’s not a confidence builder, I don’t know what it.

Jim May is now working for TSA, since 9/11, and lives in Kentucky. He retired from the Navy in 2000. Jesse Oswalt retired from the Navy, soon after, and is now a Grand Master with US Chung Do Kwan Association, and has a school in Florida.

I have a photograph of me, in my blue plaid boxer shorts, combat boots, my service pistol over my shoulder, and my cover. We were doing training operations on Vieques Island, and I was providing medical coverage for the EOD guys, and I was filthy from traveling the island for 3 days, straight, so I decided to take a dip in the warm, clear, Caribbean water. I came back to change and Jim May took my picture.

That picture wound up in the cruise book, with the caption, “The new tropical uniform”. It was funny, then, and it is still a conversation piece with my family.

After retiring from the Navy I decided I still wanted to serve something. I had already been a volunteer firefighter and worked on ambulances, as a Corpsman. I never had any experience in law enforcement. So, I decided I would start a new career as a Police Officer. I am now serving the City of Suffolk, VA, as a Police Officer II. I am a Field Training Officer, training new officers on the street. I am certified with a patrol rifle, RADAR, Intox. I drive the department’s Mobile Command Center, which is a custom Class A bus.

Since the department found out I was a Corpsman they decided to make me one of their CPR/AED/First Responder instructors, so I got my instructor certification through the Red Cross.

I have had a very rewarding first 8 years, and I plan to be there until I retire.

I just joined the Fleet Reserve Association. It was mainly to take advantage of scholarship programs for my younger daughter, who is getting ready to go to college. I recommend anyone, active, reserve, or retired to take advantage of any and all of these associations and programs. They not only help you in keeping and gaining benefits, but they can help your family, as well, in the long run.

But, I mainly spend my spare time with my family. I have a wonderful wife, who volunteers with the local softball little league. My oldest daughter is grown and working at one of the local restaurants. My other daughter just started her first year of high school. So, I spend my time making up for the time I lost being deployed.

I have gained so much life experience, by being in the military. My experience helps me work with others, especially those younger folks who are just starting out in their first careers. I am still a mentor, I still train others. I am able to bring a different look at a lot of ideas to the table. I cannot say where I would have been, had it not been for my time in the military.

Learn from your mistakes, lead from the front, embrace the opportunities you get, and have fun! The time you have in the military will help you learn about yourself and your limitations and your true potential. Do not waste it.

I joined TWS because I still wanted to connect with the people I served with. I have a hard time remembering names of people I served with. So, if I can reconnect with them, I can keep their memories with me, and they can remember mine.