History of the Smiling Tiger Logo

The following information with regards as to how the Smiling Tiger logo came into being created, and hence, how he came to be the company mascot/symbol for the Smiling Tigers of VietNam should prove interesting reading for all of those associated with your unit. This past December, 2002, we were contacted by Gary Kittle with information about Ike Jones, the man responsible for getting the Smiling Tiger logo created, who then provided us with additional information and correspondence from Ike Jones himself. We've intended to put this new page up for a while, but personal family health issues and life in general seemed to get in the way until now, the end of May, 2003; so, why it took a bit of time to finally get it posted, here it is--we're going to simply post the e-mails and accompanying information, as we feel this will be the easiest to follow in the long run. Since we have both Gary's and Ike's permission to post this information, we hope you will all enjoy reading it, and as Gary said that he thought Ike would appreciate reading e-mail from others, we include it here as well, with our thanks to them both. (Letters paraphrased for content)

12/14/2002: First of all, I'd like to thank you for the "Smiling Tiger" website.
It will be appreciated by many. I have information ... personnel
roster, helicopter info., and how the logo originated (during the
1966-67 era) and will be happy to pass it on if you wish.

In fact, I'll send the note sent to me from Ike Jones who
originated the logo.

      It's my real pleasure to say hello to a fellow "Smiling Tiger." Our mutual good friend and Nam-buddy, Milt Walker, called me last month and mentioned that you and he regularly stay in touch, and that you had expressed an interest in how our favorite feline came into being. Given my affection for that "Rascal," I'd be more than happy to
relate to you his history.
     In late 1966 (around September, I believe) I was laagering a few miles South of Pleiku, awaiting a mission, when I decided to act on an idea that I had been mulling over in my mind for some time...and that was, to write a letter to Walt Disney about our unit's call sign, "Smiling Tiger," asking if his artists could please     render for us a graphic representation of what a smiling tiger might look like so that we could proudly display his likeness on our gunships. I told Disney
that we had been unsuccessful in trying to draw a picture of a tiger which had both a smile and, at the same time, the desired look of fierce determination befitting the aggressive nature of a "Gunship Company's"
mission. In an attempt at humor to hopefully catch their attention, I remember telling Disney that, despite our best efforts, our pitiful tiger renditions served only to make him look like he was constipated.
Anyway, I drew a blue-bordered diamond to frame the desired tiger, with room in the border to portray our weapons, and sent the letter off to Disney, which was acknowledged.
      Weeks, and then months went by without any further word, and so I began thinking that Disney must surely have forgotten about us. But then finally (I think it was sometime around Feb of '67), the long-awaited response from Disney
arrived in the form of a package containing our splendid "Smiling Tiger." Man, that was a wonderful moment! The "Gun Company" now had something that we could proudly identify with ... something that we could display on the doors of our Gunships (and, as a matter of fact, and as it quickly turned out, could also be displayed on a variety of things, such as vehicles, items of equipment, assorted signs, and even plant urns!).    :)
      Anyway, it wasn't too long before word got around about this "Disney Smiling Tiger," and so a reporter from the Ist Cav Div's newspaper came out to the field to interview me for the story. I kept the published article that he wrote and, as soon as I can locate it among my "stuff," I'll be happy to send you a copy. Also, my wife
reminded me that she still has a similar article which she cut out of the Army Times...I'll send a copy of that along too, if you wish.
      As an aside, when I returned to Nam in the Summer of '71, I was fortunate to be given command of the 229th and was pleased to see that our Delta Company's "Gunships" were still proudly wearing the "Smiling
Tiger."
      Well, Gary, it's been good talking to you, and I hope this info will be helpful. Just e-mail me your address if you would like to receive copies of the articles mentioned above. In the meantime, please
accept my best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful Holiday Season.
      Keep smiling, tiger!    Isaac (Ike) Jones

12/30/2002: (shortened for content) At the end of this message is a paragraph from a note sent from Ike Jones to me. Ike's wording indicates his state of health and humble resistance. He had a stroke a few years ago and now has complications with his heart, talking on the phone embarrass him due to speech problems. He is currently tracking down the artist who created the Smiling Tiger logo for proper recognition, knowing Ike I bet he will be successful.

Hope to stay in touch, Gary K.

>From Ike Jones Dec. 02
Reference the two web sites you mentioned; no, I've not been in contact with them and I'm reluctant to do so, for reasons
stated below. Reference passing on our correspondence, I have no objections at all for you to share it -- I'd be pleased if any
useful info that I might have gets out -- so long as it's clear in your submissions that I'm responding to your questions; the point,
here, is to avoid giving the appearance that I'm trying to toot my own horn...I would hate that! Anyway, should the outside
desire for information arise, I'm happy for you take the lead, as I would not wish to do so directly, primarily for health reasons
(which you may reveal if you think it appropriate, along with my regrets).

1/21/2003: Hello Emil,
   I'm happy to hear from you, I will do the best I can to answer your questions and hopefully help resource your "Smiling Tiger" web site.
    My MOS was 67N20, trained at Ft. Rucker, AL in 1966 then ordered to 1st. Cav. An Khe then Bon Son (LZ English) D- 229th 30 NOV 66, D Co was small at that time. 12 ships all B and C model Hueys. The troop rotation was fast at that time and I only had to pull K.P guard duty and burn shit until Feb. 67. Fortunately I was assigned 6414049 a good B model armed with flex guns/rockets. Charlie Cuttress was my gunner who like you was an armament specialist.
    Ike Jones was our C.O. and Milt Walker our X.O.; both were excellent pilots and they certainly still have down-to-earth people skills. Over the years I have reconnected with them both, they are a perfect example of why the "Smiling Tigers" were and still are the epitome of a Gun ship company. Yes, technology has taken over, no more door gunners or cool twenty-two year old "nuts as we were" WO1 pilots" any more. Lazer gun sights and speed have taken over.
     From what I see and read on the internet, the Smiling Tigers have grown in size then shunk then grew again into the "Flying Tigers" of today. I see no "Rascal" > (Ike's nick name for our logo) on the nose of an Apache ,,,, what a shame.   Once a Smiling Tiger always a Smiling Tiger.
    Credit goes to Ike for we have a logo which depicts the true tenacity of a Smiling Tiger whether a nineteen year old kid in an Asian war or an old guy simply living out life.
     Ike is in the process of contacting Disney for information on the artist. I will keep you updated
     Emil, thanks for your web site and let's thank Ike for our Rascal.
      Keep Smiling Tiger!      Gary

Isaac R. Jones IRJ@WEBTV.COM

Hello Gary,

Re Emil's question as to whether or not I had any documentation from Disney on the Smiling Tiger; the answer is that I have only the empty envelope from Disney, a copy of which I sent you. After I received the package, I gave both the correspondence and the "Smiling Tiger" caracature to the company admin or opns (can't remember for sure which) for safekeeping and copying, and left them there on my departure because they rightfully belonged to the unit. I learned sometime later from Milt Walker that the caracature and documents had somehow turned up missing. Perhaps one of our guys took everything back to the states with him when he left...either that, or our Smiling Tiger is hanging on the wall of some damn hootch in Nam. :)

Emil's comment is correct about the $1.00 figure. It is my recollection that the formal, legal document from Disney stated that the caracature was being given to D Company, 229th Avn Bn for the sum of One Dollar, with the stipulation that the Disney copyright would be included in any reproductions.

Sorry if I double up on some of this information that I'm sending. Seems we are changing over to our new computer and I get screwed up on what I've sent or not sent. I'm not computer smart at all.

Much of what I send to you is personal corrospondense from Ike to me but obviously is meant as a token of his respect and captures the attitude of most of the leaders the Smiling Tiger's and all members of the 229th Av. Bn. I only want to share this with you and your great site so that ALL can see how the famous "Rascal" (Smiling Tiger) originated.

Ike has related to me how he DOESN'T want to be viewed as a "horn blower" and I know he certainly is not one either.

Please feel free to change any wording or names around to reflect his statements to ALL 229th and Smiling Tigers members. I don't want to come on as a "horn blower" either. Aside from that I wish to make it known to the website's what great leadership the 229th had and Ike Jones is a perfect example.

SMILING TIGERS (VIETNAM)

ASSOCIATION

(STVA)