Captain John Jackie "JJ" Smallwood is the only resident of Marietta that has been listed as MIA - Missing in Action.
He was the son of Lois Sorrow (1922-2001) and Hugh A. Smallwood (1917-1993).
Jack graduated from Marietta High School, Marietta, Georgia, in 1963.
Jack graduated from Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, California in 1968. Two of his classmates have left messages on TheWallUSA.org.
A classmate Al Wilson said, Jack was my best friend throughout the entire 9-month Navigator Training program...we made ski trips to Reno with a few other guys...I'll never forget his cool car (Olds Cutlass green with beige top). He was from Marietta and I was from Charlotte, so we had the Southern thing in common. Jack had a great sense of humor and kept me laughing whenever I was around him.
Another classmate Scott Freeman, said he was a classmate of both AL & Jack in Nav school. I believe that Jack's car was a 442 red convertible...he used to come by my apartment with Mick Kuja and harass my wife (Jackie) and I. He was a real southern gentleman and a blast to be around!
Another classmate, Charles Speh, left a note on TheWallUSA.com saying Jack "KARST" Smallwood was not only a classmate of mine but a very special person. I had the privilege of refueling Jack and his Pilot Lt. Col. Phil Handley only a few minutes after their historic "shooting down" of the MIG in June 1973. Jack's personality was only outshone by his courage and dedication to flying. A real example for the younger generation today, and a true Southern gentleman.
On April 29, 1972, the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, flying F-4E Phantom II's, deployed to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) at Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand under operation "Constant Guard" aka the "Summer Help Program."
One June 2, 1972, Major Philip W. "Phil" Handley and his WSO, First Lieutenant John Jackie Smallwood, of the 58th TFS shot down a MIG-19. Major Handley said "After about 15 minutes on station, aircraft 3 and 4 became separated from the first element during a particularly violent SAM break. At the same time, we hit Bingo fuel and began egress. Shortly thereafter, while my wingman and I were egressing, we were attached from 6 o'clock low by a flight of two MIG-19s. After a brief engagement, I shot down the number two MIG-19 with 20-mm cannon fire at a slant range of about 300 feet. The MIG-19 was observed to roll slowly off on his right wing and begin oi trail smoke from his left wing root. His nose continued to drop, and he crashed almost vertically into a green meadow 8 seconds after I fired a 300-round burst."
On October 14, 1972, the 58th TFS returned to Eglin AFB, Florida and nine months later, on June 8, 1973, they deployed again to the 432nd TRW, Udorn, RTAFB. I am unable to determine how Jack got re-assigned from Udorn to Ubon RTAFB less than a week later.
On June 16,1973, then Captain Samuel Blackmar Cornelius, Aircraft Commander, 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and Captain John Jackie Smallwood, their F-4E was hit by hostile fire and crashed. No parachutes were seen, and no emergency beepers were heard. Their approximate location was 13-35 North, 106-37 East in Cambodia. Both were declared Missing in Action on June 13, 1973.
On October 4, 1979, Jack's status was changed to Killed in Action.
His decorations include he Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, two Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel 01W, Line 119.
On July 25, 1968, Marietta High School renamed their baseball field in memory of John Smallwood.
Bio by: Lee A. Hillard.
Burial: Grey Hill Cemetery
Commerce, Jackson County, Georgia
INSCRIPTION: In Honor of John J. Smallwood, Captain US AF
Born Oct 7, 1945
MIA, Cambodia June 16, 1973
Medals Received
The Air Medal (2)
The Silver Star
The Air Force Commendation Medal
The Distinguished Flying Cross
The Purple Heart
Memorial ID: Find-A-Grave 38302568
City of Marietta Proclamation: USAF Captain John Jackie Smallwood Day
WHEREAS, Jackie Smallwood was a proud graduate of Marietta High School as a popular member of the class of 1963 and upon graduation, furthured his education with an Undergraduate Degree from Auburn University and then obtained his Master of Business Administration finishing second in his class, immediately upon receiving his MBA, Jackie accepted his commission in the Air Force to serve his country during the Viet Nam War; and
WHEREAS, was an outstanding scholar athlete at Marietta High School who was loved and respected by all his fellow students and teammates:
WHEREAS, USAF Captain John Jackie Smallwood of Marietta was declared missing on June 16, 1973 after his plane was hit with hostile fire over Cambodia during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, For his service to our nation, Captain Smallwood was awarded The Air Medal, The Silver Star, The Air Force Commendation Medal, The Distinguished Flying Cross, and The Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, The Georgia POW/MIA Honor Guard will be conducting the Dedication Ceremony during the Monthly Membership Meeting of the Legion on March 7, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Post 29; and
WHEREAS, This proclamation in Captain Smallwood's honor is being presented on the Jackie Smallwood Field, which is named in his honor and memory, located at Marietta High School where he was an outstanding Baseball player;
NOW, THEREDORE, I, R. Steve Tumlin Jr., Mayor of the City of Marietta, do hereby proclaim Thursday, March 7th, 2019 to be
USAF CAPTAIN JOHN JACKIE SMALLWOOD DAY
in the City of Marietta and ask all citiznes, Veterans, and former teammates to join in honoring our hometown hero.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have Hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Marietta this 7th day of March 2019.
R. Steve Tumlin, Jr., Mayor
