Interview with Dewey L. Smith, July 18, 1985

Interview Summary

Dewey Smith talks about his childhood in Jefferson County, Kentucky and his educational background. He talks about obtaining a commission in the Air Force in May 1953 and his tours of duty in Korea, Germany, and Thailand. He discusses his missions over North Vietnam in an F-105, and the North Vietnamese air defense system. He describes his first mission. He talks about being shot down and captured, and being interrogated and beaten before being taken to Hanoi. He gives a physical description of the prison camp where he was held for six years. He describes returning home in March 1973. Smith discusses his attitude towards war protesters, and his belief that the United States did not lose the war.

Interview Keyword

Anti-war demonstrations Combat. News media Politics and war. Prisoners of war. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Mass media and the war Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Prisoners and prisons, American Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Psychological aspects Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Public opinion

Interview LC Subject

Soldiers Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.