Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Seven, NAS, Norfolk, Virginia, was originally established in April 1956, after one year of practice. MELVIN TOLBERT SMITH SOCA (SS) JOINED 1 JUNE 1955, TRANSFERRED 1 NOVEMBER 1961 TO FLEET RESERVE/ RECRUITING STATION – PORTLAND OREGON. 1958-59 Smith was Chief SON/C. He was Chief over about 100 Sonarman during their training. There were about 400 men in each squadron – His Squadron was the first to have a Sonarman. Many of the photos Smith has in his files are Official United States Navy Photographs: CARRIER USS LEYTE (CVS-32), and the USS -1 AIRCRAFT HSS-7 in flight (7/18/58). Commander H.M. Nelson, Secretary of the Navy William B. Franke and Melvin T. Smith in 1958 preparing to go aboard the HSS-7 (another photo has Smith buckling in the Secretary of the Navy). A photo of Smith as Commander Mac A. Graham presented him a letter from Admiral John Smith Thach, USN (1958-1959). Four other Chief Sonarman under Smith was present in the same photo. Admiral Thach was in command of an antisubmarine development unit, with VALLEY FORGE (CVS-45) SERVING AS HIS FLAGSHIP. Smith received the “HELICOPTER RESCUE CERTIFICATE - Know All Men By These Presents that SOC M.T. SMITH USN has been awarded THE “WINGED S” AIR RESCUE EMBLEM having participated in a successful life-saving operation with a Sikorsky Helicopter January 15, 1957 sign by Mr. Sikorsky and L.S. Johnson, General Manager and a Letter of Commendation: “The operation took place while operating from the USS LEYTE. Where Smith was the Sonar Operator of Ho48-3 Buno 138529, which was airborne nearby… Smith and the pilot, LTJG MURRY H. WRIGHT, USS performed this mission demonstrated a high degree of training and skill on the part of both the pilot and crewmen….” Signed by H.M. Nelson. They saved the life of Edmund J. Paczkowski who Mel had spent two days training. Four helicopters take off, Mel and the Captain of the fleet are the last ones to take off going out and coming in they are the first to take off the carrier 23 January 1957. A Letter of Appreciation during SPRINGBOARD 1958, period 24 January – 25 February 1958 (Smith invented by Water Telephone) “Commanding Officer, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SEVEN … sign by J.S. Thach COMMANDERS: H.M. NELSON, MAC A. GRAHAM, AND C.R. JOHNSON Melvin T. Smith remembered losing two choppers on the VALLEY FORGE (CVS-45).