The legend of Captain John Monroe “Hawk” Smith
Born on January 25, 1940, at Shandon Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, John Monroe Smith appeared to be an ordinary child of average height and slender build. However, history would reveal that Captain John Monroe Smith, USN, callsign “Hawk,” was anything but ordinary. His story, chronicled in “Roger Ball!“, represents a remarkable odyssey that intertwines personal achievement with the evolution of naval tactical aviation.
During his distinguished thirty-year career, Hawk established himself as a formidable presence in the fighter community. His reputation encompassed exceptional skill as an air-to-air combat aviator, natural tactical acumen, and exemplary leadership qualities. Many considered him one of the most crucial pioneers in modernizing naval air warfare tactics.
Hawk’s career unfolded during and after the Vietnam conflict, a period when America faced ideological divisions and military disillusionment with political interference in warfare conduct. Naval tactical aviation struggled to incorporate hard-learned lessons from combat, desperately needing visionary leaders to restore its effectiveness. This challenging era became the defining period of Hawk’s extraordinary service.
A critical oversight with dangerous consequences
Following a period when Enterprise’s Tomcats remained grounded while VF-1 and VF-2 crews trained A-7 pilots for fighter missions, a routine training flight would become anything but routine. Commander Denny “Wolfman” Strole, serving as Executive Officer of VF-1, occupied the rear seat of an F-14 piloted by Jack “Quail” Dantone for a standard day mission.
Their aircraft was positioned aft of the island with the tail extending beyond the ship’s edge. This placement prevented either crew member from conducting a thorough preflight inspection of the tailpipes, tail surfaces, or most critically, the tailhook. Both aviators failed to notice the absence of the red “Remove Before Flight” flag, which should have been attached to the tailhook safety pin.
During post-startup procedures, the taxi director guided the F-14 from its tiedown area before stopping to allow the plane captain’s walkaround inspection. The plane captain, not observing the missing red flag, failed to remove the safety pin. The final checker, assuming the plane captain had completed this crucial step, also missed the oversight. Consequently, the aircraft catapulted from the ship with its tailhook safety pin still installed, making an arrested landing impossible.
Discovery of the problem
After completing their mission successfully, Quail and Wolfman returned to the ship and entered the marshal stack overhead. When Quail lowered the hook handle, the telltale light indicated the hook had not deployed properly. Despite recycling the handle multiple times, the warning light persisted.
Quail contacted his wingman, requesting a visual inspection. He explained that they had a light indicating the hook remained up despite recycling the handle and asked for external confirmation. The wingman agreed to conduct a close visual examination.
Wolfpack 107 maneuvered into position alongside Quail’s Tomcat, with the pilot positioning himself for optimal observation. He informed Quail that the hook indeed remained retracted and requested permission to move closer for detailed inspection, cautioning Quail to maintain steady flight.
After positioning himself to look through the safety pin hole, expecting to see daylight from the opposite side, the wingman was shocked to observe only the gunmetal gray of the safety pin itself. He reported the devastating news that the safety pin remained installed in the tailhook.
No viable alternatives
Following a moment of stunned silence, Quail suggested diverting to Al Masirah, an island off Oman, provided they could rendezvous with an aerial tanker for additional fuel. However, the United States maintained strained diplomatic relations with Masirah at the time. Landing there risked months of detention for both aircraft and crew, making this option unacceptable.
The Boss tersely informed them that Masirah was unavailable as a divert option, leaving no alternative landing sites within range. The stark reality of their predicament became clear to both the XO and Quail, while simultaneously alerting Hawk on the LSO platform to the unprecedented emergency.
Hawk announced over the radio that they would need to recover the F-14 using the barricade after all other aircraft were safely aboard. He indicated he was determining the proper lens roll-angle and would provide that information shortly. The Boss acknowledged this plan and confirmed they should have the necessary data available.
Preparing for an unprecedented landing
The Boss activated the flight deck’s public address system, announcing that an F-14 with a stuck tailhook required barricade recovery. He emphasized that this was not a drill and that flight deck personnel should prepare for barricade rigging after completing the standard aircraft recovery.
While LSOs continued normal aircraft recovery operations, Hawk mentally reviewed barricade approach and engagement procedures. This situation presented unique challenges, as it would represent both his first barricade recovery and the Navy’s inaugural F-14 barricade landing, leaving no margin for error.
Searching desperately through the LSO manual for the appropriate Fresnel lens roll-angle for a Tomcat barricade landing, Hawk discovered a critical gap in documentation. The aircraft was so recently introduced to the fleet that PAX River had not yet calculated and verified the proper roll-angle settings.
Engineering a solution under pressure
Rather than panic, Hawk methodically assessed available information. While the F-14’s specific roll-angle remained unknown, he possessed the correct roll-angle for the F-4 Phantom, along with accurate hook-to-eye distances for both aircraft types. With three known variables and one unknown, Hawk formulated an equation in the LSO logbook.
After solving for the unknown variable and double-checking his mathematics, Hawk applied a reasonableness test to his calculated result. The number made logical sense given the aircraft’s characteristics and operational requirements.
Conflict with command
When Hawk contacted the Boss with his recommended lens roll setting, he was asked to explain his methodology. After Hawk detailed his calculations, the Boss responded with multiple objections, insisting the calculated roll-angle was incorrect.
The Boss declared his intention to set the roll-angle to target the number one arresting wire. Hawk strongly objected to this approach, explaining that an aircraft on proper glideslope with that setting could engage the barricade while still airborne. Alternatively, if the aircraft flew high, it might clear the barricade entirely and snag it with the landing gear.
Hawk didn’t need to complete his explanation, as the implications were clear. The Boss’s preferred roll-angle could cause the Tomcat to contact the barricade’s upper portion with its landing gear, potentially causing the aircraft to flip inverted and crash into the steel flight deck or plunge off the angled deck into the ocean. Either scenario would likely result in aircraft loss and crew fatalities.
Hawk remained convinced his calculations were correct. His roll-angle would allow the aircraft to clear the ramp safely while enabling touchdown before the number one wire, permitting the aircraft to roll into the barricade after wheel contact with the deck.
Despite Hawk’s insistence on his calculations and the time-critical nature of the situation, the Boss maintained his position. The lack of response made his intentions clear—he would set what Hawk considered the wrong roll-angle.
Taking unprecedented action
Recognizing an alternative approach was necessary, Hawk prepared to deviate from standard procedures. After the final aircraft cleared the foul line, the V-2 division and catapult and arresting gear teams rapidly deployed to erect the barricade. Personnel in various colored jerseys efficiently assembled the emergency landing system.
Once the barricade was properly erected and secured, Hawk personally briefed Quail on the modified procedures, abandoning formal radio protocol for a more personal communication approach. He informed Quail that the barricade was ready, the deck was stable, and they had twenty-eight knots of wind over the deck.
Hawk instructed Quail to make an initial practice approach for evaluation, followed by the actual landing attempt. He directed Quail to fly a low approach with the ball slightly below glideslope, emphasizing this should be the finest approach of his career. Hawk explained he would provide guidance only if necessary, warning that the ball indication would temporarily disappear behind the barricade stanchion but would reappear as the aircraft approached.
Most importantly, Hawk told Quail that upon receiving three “CUT” calls, he should immediately reduce power and focus on landing the aircraft, which would roll directly into the barricade. He emphasized the need for immediate engine shutdown upon deck contact and concluded by assuring Quail that the procedure would be straightforward, asking for his trust.
This briefing represented a significant deviation from established barricade procedures. Knowing the Boss had set an excessively high roll-angle on the lens, Hawk compensated by directing Quail to fly a deliberately low approach into the barricade. He anticipated severe criticism from the Boss at any moment.
The practice approach
Quail executed his practice approach with remarkable precision, maintaining steady flight on-speed and on-glideslope. Hawk waved him off mid-approach and cleared him for the downwind leg. With twilight approaching and fuel becoming a critical factor, time was essential.
Hawk directed Quail back to the final approach with sufficient distance to compose himself and properly trim the aircraft. As Quail established his final approach, the LSO phone rang urgently. An enlisted LSO assistant answered and informed Hawk that the Boss was calling and sounded extremely angry.
Hawk maintained his focus on Wolfpack 103, now three-quarters of a mile on centerline and maintaining glideslope. He declined to take the call, stating he was occupied and would return it later. After the phone talker relayed this message, he suddenly recoiled from the phone as if struck, indicating the Boss’s explosive response had been both loud and harsh.
Accepting career consequences
Hawk briefly considered the ramifications of his actions. He had essentially dismissed a senior officer and was actively countermanding direct orders. His naval career might be measured in minutes rather than years. He could have easily complied with the Boss’s commands, which would have absolved him of responsibility if disaster occurred—he would have simply been following orders.
However, Hawk knew with certainty that the Boss was wrong. With two shipmates’ lives at stake, he was determined to recover them safely, regardless of personal consequences. He decided to address potential court-martial proceedings and public humiliation after successfully completing the landing.
The historic landing
Wolfpack 103 approached within half a mile, slightly low but perfectly aligned with centerline. Despite Quail’s earlier oversight regarding preflight procedures, Hawk observed he was executing an exceptional approach under extreme pressure.
Hawk encouraged Quail to maintain his slightly low ball position as the aircraft continued its approach. When Wolfpack 103 reached steady glideslope just over the round-down, Hawk issued the critical command, telling Quail to cut power and land the aircraft immediately.
The landing gear contacted the deck forcefully, and the engines began spooling down as the massive Tomcat penetrated the barricade. As the nylon webbing enveloped the aircraft, emergency crews responded with practiced efficiency. Crash teams, firefighters, medical personnel, and plane captains surrounded the aircraft, prepared for any contingency. Fortunately, none were needed.
Emergency personnel carefully removed the nylon webbing while plane captains assisted their squadron mates from the cockpit. Both Quail and Wolfman, though shaken, emerged smiling and made their way to the catwalk safely.
Mission accomplished
Hawk’s arms relaxed as he still held the phone and pickle switch, his knuckles white from tension. He looked down at his boots and took what may have been his first full breath in several minutes. He had accomplished something unprecedented—successfully directing the Navy’s first F-14 barricade landing. Despite feeling relief, accomplishment, and liberation, he remained apprehensive about potential career consequences, wondering about CAG Wilson’s true character.
Examining the recovered Tomcat, which resembled a netted rhinoceros, Hawk noted that Quail had performed remarkably well with no apparent aircraft damage and all personnel safe. The air wing and catapult and arresting gear teams had performed magnificently, erecting the barricade efficiently and ensuring it functioned perfectly.
As Hawk descended to the catwalk and passed the Wolfpack ready room, he heard loud, relieved voices celebrating through the hatch and echoing down the passageway. The excitement was palpable as Wolfpack squadron members celebrated their shipmates’ safe return.
Command Recognition
Hawk proceeded toward the CAG office while mentally reviewing the evening’s events. CAG Wilson was seated at his desk when Hawk entered. In a casual, understated manner, CAG Wilson mentioned that he had spoken with the Boss.
Hawk acknowledged this information respectfully. CAG Wilson explained that the Boss had been quite upset, though possibly more with himself than with Hawk, but ultimately the Boss was wrong and Hawk was correct. He assured Hawk that the Boss would recover from the incident and concluded with a simple compliment on Hawk’s performance.
Though brief and low-key, this praise from CAG Wilson carried tremendous weight—equivalent to receiving international recognition. Hawk did not know the specific conversation between CAG Wilson and the Boss, but he sensed its supportive nature. He was certain that CAG Wilson had defended his actions and protected his career.
Legacy and impact
As Hawk made his way to the squadron ready rooms to brief other pilots on their approaches, he smiled to himself with the realization that PAX River would undoubtedly be pleased to finally know the correct roll-angle for F-14 barricade landings. His quick thinking, mathematical precision, and willingness to risk his career had not only saved two lives but also established critical operational procedures for future emergencies.
This historic event demonstrated the importance of technical knowledge, decisive leadership, and the courage to challenge authority when lives are at stake. Hawk’s actions embodied the finest traditions of naval aviation, where individual initiative and professional expertise serve the greater mission of bringing every aviator home safely.
Photo by U.S. Navy
