R.I.P. Staff Sgt. David C. Smith

Air Force Staff Sgt. David C. Smith
Died June 09, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

26, of Eight Mile, Ala.; assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; died June 9, near FOB Jackson, Afghanistan, in a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash. Also killed were Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael P. Flores, Air Force 1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz and Air Force Senior Airman Benjamin D. White.

(The following was taken from blogal.com of June 21, 2010) MOBILE, Ala. -- Staff Sgt. David C. Smith was remembered at his funeral today as a "great person, airman and warrior" who had a "passion for saving lives."

The 26-year-old Satsuma High School graduate was killed June 9 in Afghanistan, along with three other airmen, after Taliban insurgents fired rockets at the helicopter he was in during a combat rescue mission.

Lt. Col. Tom Dorl, Smith's squadron commander, told mourners at Little Catholic Church that in all, Smith saved 130 people during combat missions. In one mission alone, he saved 40 people, Dorl said.

Following his eulogy, Dorl presented the Purple Heart to Smith's mother, Mildred Hardee of Eight Mile.

Dozens of Patriot Guard Riders on motorcyles lead the procession, which stretched for miles, to Mobile Memorial Gardens following the church service.

A dozen children at Little Flower stood at attention holding small American flags as the procession left the church.

Smith had been in the 66th Rescue Squadron based at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.