Professional Soldiers ® - MSG (R) Jack NeSmith (BMT)

I regret to inform you of BMT's (Jack NeSmith) passing on 18 Jun 15.

He was a helluva soldier and I wish I could have served with him. Hand salute to MSG (R) NeSmith. Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees. Save us a place on that final Drop Zone, Jack. Prayers out for him and his family.

His son (pbr549xxx) wanted this posted in his remembrance. I would say that Jack's legacy lives on in his children, and he can be proud of a job well done. Mission Complete, Jack.

Rest in Peace.

TR

Quote:

Sir, it is with sadness that I report that my Dad died during the early morning hours on 18 June.

When I was a young kid, most of my friends had "heroes" like Roger Stauback and Terry Bradshaw. I was blessed and fortunate enough to have a man that I considered more of a hero than any athlete. My Dad was an old school grunt having served as an Infantryman in Germany, FT Benning, Korea, and a Drill Sergeant at Ft Gordon before volunteering for Special Forces (The Green Berets for our civilian friends), where he served with the 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa, 3rd Special Forces Group at FT Bragg, 5th Special Forces Group, Command Control South, MAC-V-SOG in Vietnam, the 7th Special Forces Group and the John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School with his final assignment as an ROTC instructor at Stetson University in Deland Florida where he was able to remain on Airborne status by performing Airborne Operations with a National Guard Special Forces unit out of Ocala Florida.

Sadly, a month ago he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of brain cancer. Dad died during the early morning hours on June 18th. He had planned on fighting this thing and he went out fighting like he would have wanted. We are diminished by his loss, but as Gen. Patton said "Let's not be sad that such men died, but rejoice that such men lived", lived and fought for for the freedoms we have today. And the one thing he always told me "Boy, Airborne is just a way to get from point A to point B, but for God's sake don't be a leg".

I love you Dad and I will miss you forever. DOL and AATW.

RIP MSG (Ret) Jack NeSmith.