This particular story is a very touching one

We received a message from a Vietnam Vet named Linwood Hughes. He was searching desperately for the father and cousin of a buddy that was killed in Vietnam with him in 1968. 

Linwood's story goes like this

                             "I PROMISED"

          Oh Boy! Fifteen days of PARTY TIME!!! Home on leave and next stop Vietnam. I wasn't afraid to go to Vietnam and really didn't think of what could happen to me. Uncle Sam said "GO" and who was I to question? And on the other hand, how did I know what to expect? Mama was proud of me and the rest of my family thought there might be hope for me to "be somebody." Little did they know or realize who or what I might become!

           My first stop in Vietnam was at Pleiku with the 4th Infantry Division. Here at Camp Holloway I did guard duty and different duties as they were handed to me. No choppers to refuel here!!! So after six weeks off I went to Darlac. Just to add a note of interest, I was a Private upon graduating Basic and also a Private until I stepped on Vietnamese soil. Within a six week period I was promoted to E4 which is equal to a Corporal (three promotions within six weeks). At Darlac, I was attached to the 5th Special Forces Unit. My job was to refuel choppers when they came in from hostile areas. There was a Sgt. James Warren Smith who was a member of the 5th Special Forces who for some reason took "me under his wing"and began to school me for what was to come. This was Sgt. Smiths' second tour in Vietnam and he was well experienced in his field. He showed me what to do and what not to do and gave me advice for what situations might occur. We were called "Mutt & Jeff" - Sgt. Smith was 5'10" and I was only 5'4". We quickly became a team and good friends. I had the utmost respect for this man. I called him "Smitty". The bond and comradeship I felt in Basic was back...

            I had been in Vietnam about two months when the reality of what I didn't want to face by denying it happened. It was August 23,1968 around 5:00pm, Smitty and I were at the CQ hut getting ready for "chow." The first round of incoming fire from the VC hit outside of our perimeter followed by continuous hits at different places. Smitty and I went to our designated area which was the 4th duce mortar pit (a foxhole) and began to return fire at the VC. We had gotten two rounds off from our location when there was this tremendously loud explosion. I do remember that Smitty was in front of me as I was handing him another round to fire just seconds before the explosion. Realizing we received a hit right in front if the pit, Smitty turned and grabbed me and the next thing I knew we were in the bunker right beside us. This happened in a matter of seconds. I said something about "being lucky" to Smitty who was standing with his back towards me. Not realizing that anything was wrong with either one of us, Smitty said "I be damned" and went to his knees. My whole life changed at that moment. Smitty received a chest wound - I didn't know how badly he was wounded. All I knew was that he was having difficulty breathing and there was blood. It is difficult to tell you how or what I felt because there wasn't time to think. I eased Smitty to the floor and put my shirt to his chest, pressing it tightly and hoping it would stop the bleeding and make his breathing better- it didn't. I kept telling Smitty that he was going to be OK and screaming for help at the same time. The incoming fire did not stop. I begged him not to leave me- where is everyone?? I felt we were the only two on earth and Smitty needed help I could not give him. What seemed like hours but I'm sure was just minutes help arrived. Smitty remained so courageous-he knew how badly he was wounded but yet so strong and a peaceful calm around him. I kept telling Smitty not to die over and over but he knew and so did I. As they carried him out I promised him that his family would know of his strength and courage. As they carried me out, I glanced at the pit where we took the first hit --there was nothing left, Smitty had carried me to safety even though he was hit so badly... His family would also know that he saved my life that day. Sgt., James Warren Smith, my comrade died that day. I was sent to the hospital and remained for 35 days then back to Vietnam. Smitty went home to be with Our Lord.....

                      Linwoods Letter to American Veteran Search:

Name: Linwood Hughes
From: eLinwood@webtv.net (Linwood Hughes)
Time: 2000-07-02 19:17:11
Comments: Rich, I am a Vietnam Vet 1968, I am looking my best friends cousin or his father my friends name is James Warren Smith he died in my arms 8/23/68 his father lives or lived in Houston Texas. Rich I don't know his first name but his cousins name is Linda Argabright Burns. Rich what can I do to find them. Oh and by the way you do need to go to the wall I did it made me feel wonderful. Rich I don't know what to say I need to close this chapter of my life she and  his father needs to know he was not alone when he died. He was my best  friend. Rich it should have been me that died that day but James saved my  life, God I am so sorry and I miss him so. I tried to save him but I couldn't. Rich it has been 30 years I must tell them the truth. I hope I can talk to them. Thanks to AVS maybe I can do the right thing. He died saving me.
God bless, Lynn 

                                       Run down of what happened next: 

After receiving this letter here at American Veteran Search we immediately  went on the search, We are happy to say that we Located the cousin Linda  Burns. She was the one who was originally searching for a buddy of her cousin James Warren Smith. She notified us that James Dad had passed away just recently, But James Mom was still alive and it would really mean a lot to her and herself to speak with Linwood.  We immediately called Linwood to tell him of the great news, "We found the  family of his buddy." We gave him Linda's phone number and this is what took place;                     

                           Linwoods 2nd Letter to American Veteran Search:

After 32 years, I am going to meet Sgt. James Warren Smith's mother. My  life was not complete until I found Smitty's family members- I PROMISED. I  had been searching the Internet and looking up people with the last name of Smith where I thought Smitty's home town was. I was up a brick wall but in my heart I knew I couldn't give up. Searching the Internet in the Vietnam  Veterans pages - IT WAS THERE!!!! God Bless Linda Burnes for writing a  tribute to her cousin Sgt. James Warren Smith. Yes- Smitty was her cousin!  There wasn't any other info to contact here so I could complete my search. So close but yet so far.. So, I started to write letters on the Internet to find  someone to help me. I know the lord didn't get me this far to fail. It wasn't  but a few days later and my prayers were answered. A gentleman by the name of Rich Palmeri from an Internet company called American Veteran Search called me and told me that they found Linda, Smitty's Cousin, and also Smitty's Mom but it was up to them if they wanted to speak to me or not. The wait (even though it wasn't very long) was almost unbearable. Better yet, Linda called me!!! After giving her some specifics, she knew I was real. Come to find out, Mr. Smith is deceased but Mrs. Smith is alive. I felt it would be better for Linda to contact Smitty's Mom and family members because of the affect it might have. I have spoken with Mrs. Smith and she is so happy for us to meet. Other family members have welcomed me as well. On Sept 23.2000 I will be honored to meet Mrs. Smith, Linda & Tom Burns and other family members in Texas. I will be honored to visit Sgt. James Warren Smith's resting site and pay my respects and tell him that I can lay the past to rest and end it with a new beginning because-- " I PROMISED" 
                             Subj: God Bless you and Thank You !!!

Rich, I just talked to Linda, I cried but it was so nice to finally get this guilt off my heart. You have done so much for me. I don't know to thank you & AVS. Please keep in touch, I will make sure everyone knows about VeteranSearch.com Will close for now, once again, thank you
Your Friend
Lynn. 

Linda's Letter to AVS:

Name: Linda Burns
From: morning1@hotmail.com (Linda Burns)
Time: 2000-07-09 00:36:43
Comments: Dear Rich,
Thank you for locating me for Linwood Hughes. Linwood was with James Warren Smith when he was killed by the Viet Cong at Durlac, South Viet Nam, in 1968. James was an American hero who received three Purple Hearts, A Bronze Star Medal, A Silver Star Medal, and medals from the Government of South Viet Nam. Linwood said that James saved his life at Durlac during the terrible fighting. He had been looking for James's family for the past 30 years. He wanted to know where James is buried and he also promised James that he would tell his family how he died. I had put a small writing on Taps, and from that, you found me! What a miracle! You found a third cousin of mine, who knew me, but not where I lived, who put you in contact with his father, my Dad's cousin. That is real detective work! I was able to put Linwood in contact with James' s mother and also give him the location of James's burial place. James is buried at Fort Sam Houston Military Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, Plot W. James's mother asked me to thank you. She said that she will never be able to thank you enough. She is 83 years old and said that means so much to her at this time, especially. She is very thankful. We are all very thankful, Rich. 
God Bless You!
Linda Burns 

On Sept 23, 2000 I will be honored to meet Mrs. Smith, Linda & Tom Burns and other family members in Texas. I will be honored to visit Sgt. James Warren Smith's resting site and pay my respects and tell him that I can lay the past to rest and end it with a new beginning because-- I PROMISED