Vale: Mal Smith - Pacific Helicopters - PNG
 

The helicopter industry in PNG mourns the passing of Malcolm Smith; Pacific Helicopters

In hospital at Gold Coast, Qld (lung and possible covid issues)

Vietnam Veteran (Helicopters)

Big crowd will no doubt gather for the funeral.
Long time commitment to Aviation

Businesses in Goroka close in respect for Mal Kela Smith - Post Courier

Big Haus Krai

Knew Mal since he flew Bell 47s for Airfast PNG in the mid 1970s.

Mal was a graduate of the Class 3/66, Australian Army Officer Training Unit, Scheyville. He was awarded a CMG, MBE and DFC in his lifetime.

Great loss to aviation and PNG.

As someone mentioned on the helicopter forum, Mal was a straight shooter and had a heart of gold when required. Mal’s achievements were exemplary and that’s an understatement, and his legacy will remain for many years to come.

Sad year for PNG and it’s only April, Sir Michael, Graym Hawthorn and now Mal gone.

Sad to hear this about my friend of 53 years. RIP Mal...

Malcolm Roy Smith DFC

161 (Indep) Recce Flt 08 Apr 69 - 09 Apr 70

Second Lieutenant Malcolm Roy Smith was enlisted in the Regular Army Supplement on 26 July 1966, and graduated from Officer Training Unit, Scheyville, in December 1966. On 9 April 1969, he joined 161st (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight as a pilot in Vietnam.

On 28 February 1970, Second Lieutenant Smith was flying a Sioux helicopter on a reconnaissance mission in support of 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, over the Long Hai Hills, Phuoc Tuy Province. He was redirected during this mission to the area of a mine explosion where a platoon of the Battalion had suffered twenty-four causalities.

Second Lieutenant Smith arrived over the area and, despite the risk of further mine explosions, hovered touching a rock in the centre of the platoon area to off load his passenger, an Engineering Officer.

Flying four separate missions, he flew into the area a medical orderly, a doctor and two field engineers. He back-loaded on each of these missions a wounded soldier. During this period, he also co-ordinated the activities of three casualty evacuation helicopters. Throughout, he displayed a flying skill of the highest order.

It was Second Lieutenant Smith's initiative, sense of duty and flying skill which allowed the Engineering Officer, closely followed by medical personnel, to be quickly inserted into the area of the mine incident, thus saving the lives and limbs of many soldiers. His initial landing was followed by almost five hours of continuous flying, during which time he contributed significantly to the speed and efficiency of the evacuation operation.

* Text of citation has been copied from the original recommendation for " Honours & Awards" dated 01 March 1970.