Korean and Vietnam War veteran Donald O. Smith of Bristol rose from his seat last month at the Maine State Republican Convention in Bangor after hearing U.S. Congressman Bruce Poliquin introduced. Maine’s Second District Congressman was about to address the convention.

“Well if he’s supporting me for my for medal I might as well support him,” Smith said.

The 80-year-old grabbed a Poliquin sign and headed with other supporters to the front of the arena to hear the address. Poliquin along with U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus KIng are supporting Smith’s bid to receive the Medal of Honor.

The bid began in 2013. Former Second Congressional District Congressman Michael Michaud (D-ME) initiated the effort and was joined by others in the state’s delegation. Smith was surprised when notified by Michaud’s office about his being nominated.

“It came as a total surprise to me. I don’t even know how he knew about it,” Smith said.

Smith served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. In 1966, he was a gun platoon leader and an armed helicopter crew chief in Vietnam. His crew’s heroism was recognized for responding to an infantry company in distress. The unit was pinned down for two days at the Tuy Huo Air Base located in Vietnamese Highlands.

According to an account furnished by the U.S. Army, Smith’s helicopter crew was dispatched to rescue an infantry company. Smith provided support for the rescuers as he fired rounds from the helicopter. The enemy continuously returned fire as Smith’s platoon completed the rescue.

In 1967, Smith received The Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in the Battle of Hua Toy. Smith was surprised to receive recognition for his actions.

“The first time I heard about it was about five minutes before I received it,” he said. “I think it was a mistake because those medals usually go to officers. Years later, I contacted the army about why I got it, and they couldn’t tell me why.”

Nearly a half century later, he is being considered for the nation’s highest military honor. The Medal of Honor is awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The medal is awarded by the President in the name of the U.S. Congress to military personnel. 

Smith’s nomination has been sent to a three-judge advisory panel for consideration. When Smith was asked when he expected to hear from the panel, he replied, “Never!”

“It’s in the General’s hands now, but I doubt if I will ever hear anymore about it,” he said.

Besides the Distinguished Flying Cross, Smith has received the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star, Air Medal 10 (for flying 25 combat flights), and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry presented by the South Vietnamese government.

Smith began his military career in 1950. As an 18-year-old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was born and raised in rural Mississippi. Smith began working full-time after dropping out of the fifth grade. He entered the military in the 1950s when finding work was “nearly impossible.”

He spent the next two decades serving his country, first in Korea in the 1950s, and in Vietnam, in the 1960s. He also spent time in Japan.

Smith went to basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky. It was during this time he heard of a far off place where he’d spend the next 10 months of his life.

“Some place called K-O-R-E-A. I don’t think I could’ve found it on a map,” he said.

During basic training, Smith said recruits weren’t allowed to follow the news because the tensions between North and South Korea were beginning. Smith was trained as a demolition engineer. He served two tours in Korea. In the second, he served as a topographical engineer.

In Vietnam, he was a field first sergeant. One of his duties was drug enforcement. U.S. soldiers and officers using drugs was a major problem, according to Smith.

“My big job was looking out for the dopers and potheads. I was looking for soldiers using marijuana and heroin. When we caught them they were sent to LBJ: Long Bin Jail.”

In 1970, Smith returned to Virginia and was captured by a “northern Yankee,” his future wife, Jean.

She worked at a local post office when they met. Smith tried starting a romance with her, but she was reluctant. Jean wouldn’t tell him where she lived so he rented an airplane and followed her home one day.

“Once I located her address I went right over and found out she had a boyfriend,” Smith said. “So I drank the guy’s beer stash and he got mad and left. I’ve had her ever since or she’s had me ever since.”

In 1988, the Smiths moved to Maine. Jean’s family had roots in Tilton, New Hampshire. Her family spent summers in Maine and at one time relatives owned half of Boston Island just off Southport, according to Jean Smith.

The Smiths eventually moved to Bristol. They have nine children through previous marriages. They are active in the New Harbor Methodist Church, Senior Spectrum in Damariscotta, Maine Extension Homemakers (an agricultural organization sponsored by the University of Maine cooperative extension) and the Republican Party.

In April, the Smiths traveled twice to Bangor: Once for a Maine Extension Homemaker event. The second for the Maine State Republican Convention. On April 22, Smith attended a luncheon which honored veterans.

“He dressed in uniform and he got a lot of attention for his service. It seemed everybody wanted to have his picture taken with him,” Jean Smith said.

The Smiths regularly attend the GOP convention every two years.

“We’re active in the party. We like Rick Bennett (State GOP chairman). He’s a good guy and (we) hope he runs for governor.”

The Smiths also attended the convention as Donald Trump supporters. They both like the billionaire businessman’s acumen and his “no-nonsense” approach.

“He doesn’t owe anybody,” said Jean Smith.

Donald Smith initially supported Texas Senator Ted Cruz, before switching to Trump.

“The more I listened to Trump the more I liked him,” he said. “I figure he has a business in nearly every country there is. He knows how to handle people and he will make a great president.”

Smith recently was embroiled in a neighborhood controversy in Bristol. The Mississippi native flew the Confederate Flag at his home. The “Stars and Bars” banner also had the words “Heritage, not hatred” printed on it.

Smith remembers receiving a complaint about 20 minutes after the flag went up.

“She told me I was unpatriotic and I didn’t believe in helping our boys who fought for this country. The more she talked the madder I got,” he said.

Smith said the Confederate flag with the words symbolizes bravery, not bigotry. He said many military veterans from the North and South fly the flag.

“Flying that flag to us means bravery. It means we won’t quit, that’s the true meaning,” Smith said.

As a veteran, Smith said he fought to protect all Americans’ rights to express themselves so he found the neighbor’s words toward him hurtful.