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Posted by Gene Smith on 11/11/2005, 18:20:00, in reply to "D.J. Mattasolio "Matt""
Diane, I am Gene Smith who now lives in West Point, Ms. Matt was my initial instructor at Nellis, Feb 67 when I cked out in the Thud. He and Colleen lived in Winterwood with Rae and my family. (Rae died in Dec of 03 of kidney cancer). Matt was a great guy who took this old ADC(Air defense command) guy and made him one of the best in our class. In fact, right after we started the program, the students in our class(mostly Majors-I was) and mostly ADC types with a few ex F100 guys were tasked to participate in a wing "turkeyshoot"(gunnery competition). The team was picked, and I was the one ADC guy chosen to be a part of the team along with the more experienced at bombing F100 guys. I did not know jack about hurling my body at the ground in a jet intentionally. Matt had the chore of teaching me how to bomb and shoot the gun in the thud in about 4 missions-quite a chore I might add. But being the great pilot he was, and of course the great pilot I was we accomplished same and our bunch won the event, beating the other squadron instructors as well as students as I recall. Matt and I became fast friends as we would gather at each others house "studying and talking about how to do that stuff. Rae and Colleen also became good friends.
I also was a POW for 5 1/2 yrs, shot down on 25 Oct 67 while attacking the Doumer bridge in the city of Hanoi. Matt did a great job of preparing me for the job. He should never have had any guilt about coming back.. Flak was very non-discriminating. Got the good with the bad. I was just in the wrong place at the right time. He and Colleen were great support for Rae and the kids through tuff times for them.
I have remarried to a wonderful lady who also lost her husband and we are having a ball. Are very lucky. Thank God each and every day for his blessings.
God Bless you and your family. Gene
2272 Waverly DR
West Point, Ms 39773
6624948154 or cell 6622952027
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