Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.: Pop a Smoke
    USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.: Pop a Smoke
    USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.: Pop a Smoke
    Ebook1,022 pages10 hours

    USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.: Pop a Smoke

    By Turner Publishing

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Capture the esprit de corps of the Marines in action during the Vietnam War. A documentation of the men, the crews, and the machines that flew the wartorn skies of Southeast Asia. Hundreds of dynamic photographs, maps, roster of Association members, and nearly 400 biographies with before-and-after photos of Marines make USMC-Vietnam Helicopter Association: Pop a Smoke a treasure chest of memories and history.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTurner Publishing Company
    Release dateSep 1, 1995
    ISBN9781618585608
    USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.: Pop a Smoke

    Read more from Turner Publishing

    Related to USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.

    Related ebooks

    Technology & Engineering For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Siege Of Khe Sanh

      Jan 22, 2018

      US Marine tank crews inside the perimeter of the combat base watch as jet aircraft make bombing runs against enemy positions “JOHNSON REQUIRED THE MEMBERS OF THE JCS TO SIGN A PLEDGE THAT THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW KHE SANH COMBAT BASE TO FALL TO THE ENEM

      12 min read

    • Article

      The Perfect Trap

      Jan 7, 2020

      The Perfect Trap
      10 min read

    • Article

      Gunship Evolution

      Sep 1, 2020

      Gunship Evolution
      6 min read

    • Article

      Lightning ACE!

      Nov 17, 2020

      Lightning ACE!
      11 min read

    • Article

      The Longest Fight

      Mar 1, 2022

      The Longest Fight
      14 min read

    • Article

      Thud

      Oct 29, 2019

      Thud
      10 min read

    • Article

      MiG-17/19 Aces of the Vietnam War

      Oct 1, 2019

      By István Toperczer, Osprey Publishing, 2016 From the time they sent their first contingent to the Soviet Union for training in 1956, the North Vietnamese understood what their newly forming Vietnamese People’s Air Force was likely to face. Their air

      2 min read

    • Article

      Hitler’s Wolfpacks

      Nov 27, 2017

      Hitler’s Wolfpacks
      15 min read

    • Article

      Above And Beyond The Call

      Oct 29, 2019

      Above And Beyond The Call
      7 min read

    • Article

      Bailing Out Over ‘Nam

      Apr 19, 2018

      Bailing Out Over ‘Nam
      15 min read

    • Article

      Dropping The Orange Beast

      Mar 5, 2019

      Dropping The Orange Beast
      10 min read

    • Article

      A Brush With Death

      Jul 6, 2021

      A Brush With Death
      12 min read

    • Article

      American Tiger Operators

      Oct 20, 2020

      American Tiger Operators
      1 min read

    • Article

      Rat Patrol

      Oct 2, 2018

      Rat Patrol
      10 min read

    • Article

      Thunderchief At War

      Dec 15, 2020

      Thunderchief At War
      10 min read

    • Article

      Topgun Goes Commercial

      Apr 13, 2021

      The next air-to-air fighter training involving American pilots is likely to pit Topgun against “hired gun,” as a Canadian commercial operator, Top Aces Corporation, will be leasing General Dynamics F-16 fighters from its base in Mesa, Ariz., to the U

      1 min read

    • Article

      Ditched Dauntless

      Apr 13, 2021

      Ditched Dauntless
      4 min read

    • Article

      Bailing Out Over ‘Nam

      Apr 14, 2018

      Bailing Out Over ‘Nam
      17 min read

    • Article

      Operation Pocket Money

      Oct 1, 2019

      Operation Pocket Money
      10 min read

    • Article

      Topgun Turns 50

      Jan 1, 2019

      Topgun Turns 50
      11 min read

    • Article

      Intel

      Aug 9, 2022

      Intel
      2 min read

    • Article

      Downing Of Deep Sea 129

      Jan 25, 2022

      Downing Of Deep Sea 129
      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed.

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      USMC Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and Aircrew History, 2nd Ed. - Turner Publishing

      e9781618585608_cover.jpge9781618585608_i0001.jpge9781618585608_i0002.jpg

      TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY

      Publishers of Military History

      412 Broadway, P.O. Box 3101

      Paducah, KY 42002-3101

      Phone: 502-443-0121

      USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Pilots &

      Aircrew History Book Staff:

      Publisher: R. A. Herman

      Editor: A.M. Leahy

      Chief Historical Writer: J.Van Nortwick

      Editorial Assistant: M.E. Salter

      Historical Aircraft: J.L. Shanahan

      Turner Publishing Company Staff:

      Chief Editor: Robert J. Martin

      Designer: Ina F. Morse

      Copyright © 1996, Turner Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Additional copies may be purchased directly from Turner Publishing Company.

      Second Edition ©2001

      Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 95-60324

      9781618585608

      Limited Edition. Printed in the U.S.A.

      This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced without the written consent of Turner Publishing Company.

      Photo: HMM-364 Purple Foxes aircraft maintenance area at Phu Bai, 13 Sept 1968 (Photo credit: HB Staff)

      e9781618585608_i0003.jpge9781618585608_i0004.jpg

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Copyright Page

      PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

      Dedication

      FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

      HISTORY

      A CHRONOLOGY OF MARINE HELICOPTERS IN VIETNAM 1962–1975

      VIETNAM HELOS

      SPECIAL STORIES

      COMBAT EXTRACT

      YANKEE PAPA EXTRACT—A GRUNT’S PERSPECTIVE

      THE GUNNER’S LOT

      ANTENNA VALLEY BEANS

      CHATTERBOX ONE ONE GOING DOWN OFF THE ROCKPILE

      WHAT GOES AROUND. . . COMES AROUND

      FROM A DOG DRIVER

      FIRST BLOOD

      KOOL-AID

      MY MOST UNUSUAL MISSION

      CATTLECALL AND CHATTERBOX

      SURF’S UP

      OPERATION BARROOM

      THE PHU BAI O CLUB

      FOX HUNT

      A MOMENT TO REMEMBER

      REMEMBERING T.D.

      REUNION

      ROCKET ATTACK

      SNAKE IN THE COCKPIT!

      SOMETIMES THE NAVY IS ALL RIGHT!

      SPECIAL MEMORY

      QUE SON MOUNTAINS

      METRIC SNEAK EXTRACT

      THE SMOOTHEST NIGHT MEDEVAC

      WAR STORY

      WAR STORIES/REMEMBRANCES

      A LONG, LONG YEAR

      WELCOME TO VIETNAM

      MONSOON

      "LOOK, UP IN THE SKY. IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S..........

      TARBUSH NIGHT MEDEVAC

      ANGRY EYES AT A SHAU

      UNIFORMS OF MARINE HELICOPTER PILOTS AND CREWMEN IN VIETNAM

      BRING THEM IN A LIVE

      BAD TRAINING

      MY LUCK IS IMPROVING

      FLEXIBILITY IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY AN INCIDENT DURING OPERATION FREQUENT WIND

      YT-14–THE LAST HELICOPTER AND CREW LOST IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

      THE THEFT OF CHINESE WEAPONS

      MY FRIEND J.D.

      GLOSSARY OF TERMS

      IN MEMORIAM

      MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION

      MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION

      ORDER OF BATTLE - Marine Helicopter Units In Vietnam 1962-1975

      USMC/VIETNAM HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION BIOGRAPHIES

      SECOND EDITION BIOGRAPHIES

      Roster

      Index

      PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

      e9781618585608_i0005.jpg

      John J.D. Barber

      The USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association has now entered it’s 16th year and has continued to grow beyond anyone’s expectations. What started off as a few pilots getting together for a one time event has grown into an organization with over 2,000 paid annual and 300 life members. Over the years we have also located thousands of others who flew together in Vietnam and put them in touch with each other. Our last reunion, held in San Diego, was our 8th biennial get together, and another rousing success with more than 2,000 members, their families and friends in attendance. We have also become a means of closure for the families of our fellow Marines who did not return from that war. Many families have contacted us looking for information on their loved ones, loved ones that in many cases they never new, some because they were so young at the time. In most cases we have been able to put them in contact with our members who knew their loved ones and helped them gain an understanding of who these people were. Quite a few of these family members have attended our reunions to meet these people and hear the stories about their Marines.

      Our continued growth as an organization and the number of people who attend our reunions is the envy of other veteran’s groups. Many former Marine helicopter personnel have found us through our website, which is by far the best of it’s kind on the Internet, and something we are all very proud of. If you type Marine Helicopters into any search engine, Popasmoke is sure to show up! The popularity of Popasmoke.com is a direct result of our Webmaster, Wally Bytes Beddoe, who is by far one of the most talented people on the Internet. After many years of hard work and dedication, Roger Duke Herman, stepped down as Association president and newsletter editor in 1998 for some much deserved R&R. Roger left with the gratitude and appreciation of the entire membership for getting this gaggle off the ground and keeping it flying. The newsletter duties have been taken over by Charlie Mad Dog Maddocks who continues to produce a quality, one-of-a-kind newsletter for our members. When you consider that only one third of our membership has a computer, the newsletter is the main means of disseminating Association news and information. Producing a quarterly newsletter takes a lot of work and creativity.

      For president, Roger chose his replacement well, Alan Big Al Barbour took over shortly after the 1998 Pensacola reunion and immediately began work on several major projects. Our KIA page on the website is one of Al’s projects. This has become a major research tool for people looking for information regarding their friends, loved ones and squadron mates. Al also immediately began planning ReUnion 2000, which turned out to be one of the best ones yet. After serving as our president for two years, and with retirement from his real job in the very near future, Al has passed the baton to me. We wish him only the best.

      Although we are continually evolving and growing, our philosophy will remain the same. We are in this for the fun of it, we will never become another #*∧$!@% Kiwanis Club, and most importantly, we will never forget our friends who died in Vietnam or have passed away since the war. As stated so profoundly by Michael Norman in. These Good Men,

      ...They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.

      So, we will carry theirs.

      Semper Fidelis,

      e9781618585608_i0006.jpg

      John J.D. Barber

      President

      DEDICATION

      e9781618585608_i0007.jpg

      Gen. Keith Barr McCurcheon, USMC (Ref.)

      GENERAL KEITH BARR McCUTCHEON, USMC(RET)

      The Father of USMC Helicopter Aviation

      1915–1971

      General Keith B. McCutcheon was a distinguished aviation pioneer who by his bold vision, resourcefulness and selfless toil charted the future for close air support, helicopter operations and vertical take–off combat aircraft. In the tradition of duty, sacrifice and dauntless courage he served with distinction and valor in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

      During World War II, General McCutcheon served in the Solomons, New Guinea and the Philippines. earning the Army Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and six Air Medals. He served as Commanding Officer of HMX 1 in 1950, and afterwards, in Korea as Commanding Officer of HMR–161 where he received a second Legion of Merit and his seventh through tenth Air Medals. After Korea he was skipper of MAG–26 at New River, NC. He served twice in Vietnam as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (May 1965–May 1966), and later as Commanding General, III Marine Amphibious Force (Mar1970–Dec1970), earning a Distinguished Service Medal on each tour. Between Vietnam assignments, the General completed a second tour as the Deputy Chief of Staff (AIR) at Headquarters Marine Corps and was awarded another Distinguished Service Medal.

      During his thirty four years of dedicated service, General McCutcheon also contributed his talents to a wide range of community and international projects, and was President of the American Helicopter Society. In the fall of 1970, he was the first Marine aviator nominated for four stars for duty as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps but was unable to serve because of failing health. On July 1, 1971 he was retired with the rank of General.

      General McCutcheon is considered the father of Marine Corps helicopter aviation. In 1972, the airfield at MCAS New River, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was dedicated as McCutcheon Field in his honor.

      FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

      e9781618585608_i0008.jpg

      Roger A. Herman, President

      The idea for a USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Pilots & Aircrew Reunion was first conceived in 1985. At that time we didn’t have an official name or any idea that we would eventually form into a veteran’s non-profit organization. What began with a few former Vietnam-era Marine helicopter pilots getting together for a one time event soon turned into many former Marines wanting to get together again on a regular basis. Word spread and it wasn’t long before the organization was to include former crewchiefs, gunners, corpsmen, flight surgeons, chaplains and other support personnel as well. Qualification to join was simple ... to be one of us today, you had to have been one of us back then.

      Having a sense of humor is a must to belong to our group, just as it was necessary in our ranks during the Vietnam War. It’s what got a lot of us through combat during a very controversial and difficult time. As we get together again at our biannual reunions it is a time to re-tell war stories and revive the camaraderie that was born amongst us so long ago. We were Marines, and always will be. There is a special bond among our members, and it extends to our families as well. Most of us bring our wives and other family members to participate in these get togethers. We have a lot of fun with the closest friends that we will ever have in life. In addition to the good times and laughter, we also take time out to remember those friends of ours who didn’t return from Vietnam. They paid the ultimate price. I think they would be glad to know that today their buddies are staying in touch and remembering them fondly during these reunions. They were just like us, and but for a lucky break here and there any of us could have been the ones not to return home. And it is to those who didn’t come back that we proudly dedicate this book. They were the bravest of the brave, and they were our friends. We will never forget them.

      Now, all of our adventures and friendships with our fallen brothers will be forever be remembered in this publication. It’s a tribute that I have no doubt they would have made to us had the roles been reversed, and we were the ones not to come home. That’s what being a combat Marine helicopter pilot and aircrewman was all about during the Vietnam War... we got the job done and we took care of each other until the final mission was flown. We knew we could always count on each other. That will never change.

      Semper Fidelis, Marines.

      e9781618585608_i0009.jpg

      Roger A. Herman

      President

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      e9781618585608_i0010.jpg

      A. Michael Leahy

      Many members of the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Pilots & Aircrew Reunion had a strong hand in production of this volume. It is not possible to individually name them all. However, certain members have made major contributions and deserve special mention.

      John Van Nortwick tackled the brunt of the boilerplate history of Marine helicopter outfits in Vietnam from the initial landing of HMM-362 in Soctrang, 1962, until the pullout from Saigon in 1975. His bone-tiring efforts to contact individuals for meaningful information and to assemble all of the operational history merits the highest praise. Gene Salter ably assisted John and also provided very personal recollections of individual flight actions. Danny Crawford, Head, Reference Section, Historical Branch of the Marine Corps Headquarters History and Museums Division, examined the historical manuscript and pronounced the major events and actions accurate for publication. A very special thanks to John T. Dyer, Curator, Marine Corps Art Collection at the History and Museums Division, for providing virtually all of the transparencies used to produce the art in this book.

      Archie Clapp provided an insightful foreword to the book from his perspective as the first commanding officer of a Marine helicopter squadron assigned to duty in-country. Jim Shanahan wrote several interesting summaries which described the most-utilized helicopters during the Vietnam War, i.e., the CH-37, UH-34, CH-46, CH-53, UH-1E and the AH-1. His fresh, unstereotyped descriptions of the helos are in a class by themselves. Kellan Kyllo provided many thoughtful poems from his book WHERE LIGHT IS AS DARKNESS, while poet LCpl Vieira wrote of many soul-searching experiences from back in the cabin. Norm LaFountaine and Roger Herman provided the initial thrust and RPM to commence production of the history book with Turner Publishing. Without detailed fact checking and proofreading by J. D. Barber and Roger Herman, we never would have made it.

      Finally, most grateful appreciation goes once again to the individual members who chose to be an integral part of the history by providing their individual stories, biographies and photographs to form the basis of this book. When our kids, grandchildren and others want to know about Marine helicopter involvement during the down and dirty Vietnam War, this book will stand as a monumental testimony to the brief moments of terror and the long hours of backbreaking work to keep the faith with America and to ourselves.

      e9781618585608_i0011.jpg

      A. Michael Leahy

      Editor and Combat Artist

      PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

      e9781618585608_i0012.jpg

      Dave Turner, President - Turner Publishing Company

      It has been a tremendous privilege to publish the proud history of the veterans of the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association. From the first Marine Corps helicopters to serve in Southeast Asia in 1962 until the lift-off of the last mission flown by an HMM–164 CH-46D crew on 30 April 1975, your stories have been etched in stone.

      Contained in these pages is a record of the events spanning 1962–1975. It is more than facts and figures; it is the account of men and machines developing the ultimate test of character and performance during combat.

      This second edition history was made possible with the help of hundreds of Marines whose lives will forever be recorded in these pages. May their biographies, stories and photographs encourage future generations for years to come.

      I must thank John Barber, President and Al Barbour, Past–President, whose hard work and labor of love made this second edition book a reality. Special thanks also goes to Roger Herman and Michael Leahy, who helped write, compile and edit much of the material found within these pages.

      Finally, I wish to thank all members of the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, especially those who contributed to this work, for your outstanding service to our Nation. May this book serve as a lasting tribute to your service.

      Sincerely,

      e9781618585608_i0013.jpg

      Dave Turner

      President

      e9781618585608_i0014.jpg

      Sling Load H-34, USS Princeton LPH-5, October 1968. (Courtesy of Dr. E. Searing)

      e9781618585608_i0015.jpg

      HMM-362 was the first USMC helicopter squadron into Vietnam, landing at Soc Trang, in 1962. This photograph shows the aircrew members of HMM-362 which was also the least UH-34D squadron in Vietnam on Aug. 22, 1969. It was located at MAG-36, Phu Bai. Pictured from left, front row: Gordon, Marquey, Medina, Herman, Nazareth, McCallum, Silva, unidentified, unidentified, unidentified, St. Pierre, McDade. Second row: Culver, unidentified, unidentified, Hardesty; Duda, Sigman, Barnes (behind Sigman), Thurman, unidentified, Interrante, Diaz (behind Interrante), unidentified. Third row: Stragal, La Croix, unidentified, unidentified, Elwood, Lorisey, Elder, Daniels, Koral, Ryan, Hansen, unidentified, unidentified. (Courtesy of John Sigman)

      e9781618585608_i0016.jpg

      HISTORY

      A CHRONOLOGY OF MARINE HELICOPTERS IN VIETNAM 1962–1975

      The first Marine Corps helicopters to serve in Vietnam arrived just four months after the first American helicopters were deployed in-country.

      On 15 April 1962, a Sikorsky HUS-1 (later redesignated the UH-34D) crew from LtCol Archie Clapp’s HMM-362 touched down on a World War II Japanese fighter strip 3 miles from Soc Trang, southwest of Saigon, in the Mekong Delta. They were first in. Thirteen years and fifteen days later, on 30 April 1975, an HMM-164 CH-46D crew lifted the last Americans out of Vietnam, the Marine combined security force for Operation FREQUENT WIND. They were last out.

      WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF US IN BETWEEN IS WHAT FOLLOWS——.

      1962

      OPERATION SHUFLY was initiated with the deployment of HMM-362 into Soc Trang. HMM-362 (reinf), assisted by HMM-261, both from the amphibious assault ship USS PRINCETON (LPH-5), was ashore by mid-afternoon and ready to accept missions the following day. HMM-261 returned to the USS PRINCETON as the SLF squadron. HMM-362 (reinf) included 24 recently overhauled HUS-1 helicopters, a detachment of 3 OE-1 s from VMO-2, one R4D, and 50 additional maintenance personnel. The first helicopter-borne assault with ARVN troops was conducted 6 days later. Two days following that, HMM-362 suffered the first combat damage to an HUS-1 during OPERATION NIGHTINGALE when a bullet pierced an oil line in its engine compartment.

      During May, HMM-362 flew its first night medevac. The EAGLE FLIGHT tactic, developed by HMM-362, was first employed on 18 Jun. An Eagle Flight employed 4 troop-loaded HUS-1s orbiting a tactical area to engage escaping VC. The first joint USMC, US Army, VNAF assault mission took place in July.

      The policy of rotating squadrons into Vietnam every four months commenced 1 Aug when HMM-163 relieved HMM-362. The first mounting of 30 cal. M-60 machine guns on a helicopter occurred in August, inside the cargo hatch of an HUS-1. HMM-163 suffered their first battle damage 18 days later. In September, three HUS-1 were hit by small arms fire, and a crew chief was wounded, becoming the first Marine helicopter aircrew casualty of the war.

      e9781618585608_i0017.jpg

      HMM-162 receiving Combat Aircrew Wings at Da Nang Vietnam. (Courtesy of Zin Warford)

      In response to a MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) request for more capable aircraft and instrument-qualified pilots in mountainous I Corps, SHUFLY and HMM-163 moved north to Da Nang on 15 Sep , thus setting the stage for the Marine buildup to follow in the next 3 years. This squadron provided the majority of the helicopter support in I Corps. The first fatalities in Marine helicopters occurred 6 Oct 62 , when a HUS-1 crashed due to mechanical failure, killing 7 of the 8 aboard.

      The Dept. of Defense changed the official designations of all military aircraft in November. The HUS-1 became the UH-34D, the OE-1 the O-1B, the R4D the C-117, the HR2S-1 (deuce) the CH-37C and the GV-1 became the KC-130.

      1963

      On 12 Jan, HMM-162 relieved HMM-163. With squadron rotations continuing three times a year for the next two years, half of the Marine Corps’ squadrons received invaluable combat experience prior to the large-scale deployments that started in 1965. HMM-162 conducted a major lift of 300 ARVN into three LZs 15 miles west of Da Nang. The area would be revisited many times in the next 10 years.

      On 13 Mar, three H-34s from HMM-162 delivered suppressive fire on the enemy during an ARVN troop lift. This was the first recorded instance of a Marine helicopter providing close air support in actual combat.

      April 1963 saw the tempo of operations pick up with the advent of clear weather. This also caused the loss rate to climb, with many instances of aircraft being hit and crewmembers wounded. Army UH-1B gunships from the US Army 68th Aviation Co. in Da Nang regularly escorted the Marine H-34s. On 27 Apr, a year after the arrival of Marine helicopters into Vietnam, the first loss occurred of an aircraft that was not recovered, and directly attributed to enemy action.

      HMM-261 relieved HMM-162 on 8 Jun , continuing the building of combat experience in the helicopter community. During August, HMM-261 conducted a major retrograde operation lifting 1300 ARVN from LZs near the Laotian border to Thuong Duc, SW of Da Nang.

      On 2 Oct 63, HMM-361 relieved HMM-261. Soon afterwards, the squadron lost 2 aircraft while on a SAR mission and 10 aircrew were killed. The ensuing recovery operation lasted 3 days and required the insertion of Marine and ARVN security forces numbering over 150 men. These and other actions caused the Marines to develop procedures to perform quick engine changes, QECs, in the field.

      President Diem’s overthrow and assassination at the beginning of November caused a temporary halt to SHUFLY operations. President John F. Kennedy’s assassination on 22 Nov 63 resulted in President Lyndon B. Johnson taking over the reigns of the American government.

      1964

      MACV announced, in January, that all Marines would be withdrawn from RVN during the first half of 1964 as part of a plan to end direct US participation in the war. Wonder what happened? In the meantime, the missions continued. HMM-361 conducted a critical retrograde of a 200 man CIDG unit under heavy VC pressure.

      During February, HMM-361 was relieved by HMM-364, who were informed that they would be the last squadron in country and to assume the mission of training VNAF helicopter pilots in the H-34. Their other missions continued. The action started to pick up and many of HMM-364s H-34s and their escorting Army gunships were hit.

      By April, the VC were using many new tactics to lure helicopters into ambushes, such as popping smoke near LZs and waiting until after the gunships had made their runs, to fire on transport helos. The most costly and bitterly opposed helicopter operation to date, Sure Wind 202 took place on 27 Apr. One VNAF and two Marine H-34s were lost, and 17 of the 21 committed were hit.

      e9781618585608_i0018.jpg

      L. to R.: LTCOL Joseph Pultorak, COL Charles B. Armstrong and COL McDonald D. Tweed in front of Marine Helicopter HMM 361 sign. COL Tweed was the Commanding Officer. (Courtesy of M.D. Tweed)

      MACV directed that HMM-364 transfer their H-34s to the VNAF 217th Squadron in May, and prepare to depart Vietnam by 30 Jun. Another fully equipped squadron would be ordered in. So much for the withdrawal ordered 6 months earlier. HMM-162 arrived back in country on 17 Jun with additional H-34s. HMM-364 personnel departed, their H-34s now flown by the VNAF.

      HMM-162’s operations were expanded to continuously maintain a two aircraft section at Quang Tri or Khe Sanh to perform SAR NORTH in support of operations in Laos and North Vietnam. During July, HMM-162’s H-34s, working out of Khe Sanh, first reinforced the besieged Special Forces camp at Nam Dong, then 2 weeks later, helped evacuate the camp, as it became untenable once more. On 2 Aug, US ships and North Vietnamese patrol boats clashed in the Gulf of Tonkin, resulting in the Tonkin Gulf Resolution on 11 Aug. HMM-162 conducted a major lift of the 2nd ARVN Div. from Kham Duc to an LZ 24 miles NW in September.

      On 28 Sep, HMM-365 relieved HMM-162, and soon suffered its first battle casualties, two WIA, during a medevac 10 miles SW of Tam Ky. SHUFLY was redesignated Marine Unit Vietnam (MUV) in December.

      Some of the 365’s missions were evidence of the wide range of unusual and sometimes humorous events in the daily schedule of helo aircrews. On 10 Nov, pilots and aircrew were just starting to get on with serious Birthday Ball business when emergency flood relief flights caused by monsoon rains in the Da Nang area were launched. Shortly after launch, YM15 was hovering over a house floating down a swollen river. The crew chief, Cpl. G.C. Mayne, went down the hoist to check it out for survivors. He quickly cut a hole in the thatched roof and looked in. Inside were many armed and equally surprised VC. The VC bailed out into the water and Mayne went back up the hoist, end of mission. Later that same day, Capt John Eilertson, 1/LT Ron Pettis, Sgt Nathanial Tucker, and LCpl Francis Mayher evacuated 40 Vietnamese refugees in one flight, setting a payload record for H-34s that may still stand.

      Ingenuity has always been a Marine trademark. Sgt Will Reeves and LCpl Gary Garner, crew chief and gunner on a resupply flight had to rapidly unload twenty three 105MM artillery rounds into an ARVN LZ. Enroute, they fashioned a quick cargo delivery system of two crossed cargo straps and a third center strap on the helo deck. The 23 rounds were stacked on these straps parallel to the diir. The 34 spiraled into the tight LZ; flared; came to a hover, Reeves and Garner released the center strap and pulled up the crossed straps; the rounds tumbled to the ground: and they were out of there, all in about 30 seconds.

      1965

      The year began with HMM-365 (UH-34Ds) in country as the helicopter element of Marine Unit Vietnam (MUV) (previously SHUFLY). The USS Princeton (LPH 5) was the designated amphibious assault ship at the beginning of the year. HMM-163 (UH-34Ds) relieved HMM-365 on 18 Feb. HMM-365’s aircraft, on board the USS Princeton were transferred to HMM-162 on 9 Mar. The pilots of HMM-365 returned to Okinawa aboard the USS Princeton to take on replacement aircraft. HMM-162 joined HMM-163 in Da Nang in response to increasing helicopter requirements in-country.

      On 8 Mar, the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (9th MEB), including Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/9 and BLT 1/3 were landed across the beaches and via Da Nang harbor. On 9 Mar the MUV was re-designated MAG-16, under operational control of the 9th MEB.

      By mid-March the 9th MEB consisted of MAG-16 (-), H&MS-16 (-), MABS-16 (-), HMM-162 and HMM-163. Sadly, HMM-163 made the cover of Life Magazine (16 Apr 65) when it showed YP-13’s copilot hit by gunfire. Crewmen worked feverishly and futily in an attempt to save his life over the Que Son Valley. VMO-2 arrived in country with the first Marine UH-1 E gunships on 3 May. Additional VMO-2 O-1Bs arrived; Birddogs had already been in-country with SHUFLY and the 9th MEB.

      On 14 Apr, BLT 3/4 began its amphibious landing in DaNang and was flown to Hue/Phu Bai Airfield (Phu Bai), approximately 8 miles south of the ancient capital of Hue. 10 H-34s from HMM-162 arrived at Phu Bai in support of BLT 3/4.

      The Third Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3rd MEB), under BrigGen Marion Carl, landed at Chu Lai on 7 May, coming under the command of the 9th MEB after the landing. The 3rd MEB was supported by HMM-161 flying off of the USS Princeton until 7 May, when the squadron transferred to the USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2), remaining off the coast of Chu Lai until 12 Jun. The USS Iwo Jima then moved off the coast of Phu Bai, where HMM-161 offloaded to Phu Bai to support the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. On 10 May, HMM-365 returned to DaNang from Okinawa.

      The Third Marine Expeditionary Force, later re-designated Third Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) was formed 6 May from the 9th MEB units, including all elements of MAG-16. HMM-162 left Vietnam 15 May for Okinawa. HMM-261 (UH-34Ds) arrived on 22 Jun in Da Nang, assigned to MAG-16.

      The SLF embarked on the USS Iwo Jima 24 Jun from Okinawa with BLT 3/7 and HMM-163 as the SLF squadron. The USS Iwo Jima replaced the USS Princeton on 7 May. On 11 Oct, HMM-261 replaced HMM-163 as the SLF squadron and the USS Valley Forge (LPH 8) replaced the USS Iwo Jima.

      In July, a detachment of 10 UH-34Ds from HMM-161 moved from Phu Bai to Qui Nhon in II Corps to support the SLF BLT, which came ashore with HMM-163 to secure the port area during the arrival of the 1st Cavalry Division.

      MAG-16 moved from Da Nang to the Marble Mountain Air Facility (MMAF) on 7 Aug. All MAG-16 aircraft were operating out of MMAF by the beginning of September. The first all-Marine night helicopter assault took place with BLT 2/3 and HMM-361, HMM-261 and VMO-2 in Elephant Valley on 12 Aug. In September, a detachment of 6 CH-37Cs from HMH-462 was attached to H&MS-16 at MMAF. On 12 Sep, all O-1B pilots from VMO-2 were sent to Okinawa, and the O-1 B was parked at the Da Nang airstrip. VMO-2 lost their V, becoming an all-helicopter squadron for the first time.

      Between 18 and 24 Aug, Operation Starlight was conducted on the Van Tuong Peninsula 15 miles south of Chu Lai by the 7th Marines and the SLF (HMM-163), and supported by MAG-16 (HMM-261, HMM-361 and VMO-2). This was the first significant contact with major VC units (1st Viet Cong Regiment). The tactical success there led many to believe that US forces would achieve a quick victory and hence, we would all soon be home.

      MAG-36 arrived off Chu Lai on 1 Sep to join III MAF, consisting of H&MS-36, MABS-36, HMM-362 (UH-34Ds), HMM-363 (UH-34Ds), HMM-364 (UH-34Ds) and VMO-6 (UH-1 Es). The rumor among MAG-36 Marines onboard the USS Princeton enroute from CONUS had been that they would turn around and head back because of the great success of Operations Starlight, the war would soon be over. By the end of September, MAG-36 was established at Ky Ha. HMM-363 was located at Da Nang. The squadron lifted the first Marines into Hill 55 south of Da Nang, which remained a Marine Command Post (CP) for many years to come.

      In September, the VMO-squadrons were assigned a priority mission of a 24-hour medevac standby with a UH-1E medevac slick, a UH-1E gunship and crew of four pilots, two crewchiefs, a door-gunner and a corpsman.

      HMM-363 deployed to Qui Nhon in October in direct support of the Army’s 101st Airborne, which relieved the Marine BLT securing the port. Shortly after HMM-363’s arrival in Qui Nhon, LtCol George Kew, CO, brought back a one-legged H-34 having left the other landing gear strut in an Army LZ. His co-pilot, 1st Lt Stan Zenda, remembered this as a truly fascinating event. Later that night in the club, LtCol Kew made the following statement: You all know that the 1820 engines are a critical supply item. Main Landing Gear Assemblies are not. I made the decision NOT to overboost that engine, even if I bent the gear. Any questions’?

      On 27 Oct, shortly after midnight, explosions hit MMAF and the Chu Lai SATS field. An estimated force of 90 men from hardcore mainforce VC units, in four teams, launched a well-planned, coordinated attack on MMAF. They attacked the H&MS-16 hangar area; the MAG-16 bunker area; the flight line, and the maintenance and administrative tents of the squadrons. Afterwards they began a methodical attack on each helicopter. VMO-2 was practically wiped out. The sappers destroyed 19 helicopters and damaged another 35 that evening, killing three Marines; two from VMO-2, and a Navy corpsman on medevac standby.

      During November, the district headquarters at Hiep Duc, in western Quang Tin Province, a place we would come to know well, was overrun. MAG-16 and MAG-36 helos lifted in the ARVN counterattack force, taking hits in 20 of the 30 UH-34s involved. Hiep Duc was retaken, but abandoned later by the ARVN, as undefendable.

      Operation Harvest Moon was launched in the Phouc Valley west of Highway One between Da Nang and Chu Lai in December. Both MAG-16 and MAG-36 plus HMM-363 from Qui Nhon and HMM-261 from the SLF supported Task Force Delta and the 5th ARVN Regiment as they swept this familiar ground in search of VC and NVA units.

      Six squadrons (HMMs 161, 263, 361, 362, 363, 364) were now in- country, plus HMM-261 aboard ship, all with UH-34Ds. These squadrons, plus a detachment of CH-37Cs (H&MS-16) and two VMO-squadrons (VMO-2, VMO-6) with UH-1 Es made up Marine helicopter assets in Vietnam. III MAF had 39,092 personnel in-country by the end of the year.

      1966

      The Special Landing Force (SLF) of the 7th Fleet at the beginning of the year consisted of BLT 2/3 and HMM-261 aboard the USS Valley Forge. HMM-362 replaced HMM-261 on 5 Jan.

      The 9th Marines devised a tactical arrangement termed Sparrow Hawk at the beginning of the year with units from MAG-16. Each regiment maintained a squad sized reaction force at a special LZ. The squads were used as additional maneuver elements rather than reinforcements. They were helilifted by Sparrow Hawk helicopters on strip alert at MMAF, a combination of HMM helicopters and gunships from VMO-2.

      e9781618585608_i0019.jpg

      Tiger Airlines CH-46s of HMM-362 in their revetments at ProvMag-39 digs at Quang Tri, 16 Sept. 1968. (Photo credit: HB Staff)

      e9781618585608_i0020.jpg

      BGen Frank Garrettson, Assistant 3rd Division Commander, extends a thumbs up to emplaced artillery personnel from a VMO-6 UH-1E helicopter at LZ Nanking. NW of Khe Sanh, 5 Oct. 1968. (Photo credit: HB Staff)

      e9781618585608_i0021.jpg

      Take five at Phu Bai. Mike Royer and Ed Bosler. (Courtesy of Robert Hachtel)

      Operation Double Eagle I began 28 Jan with a two-battalion amphibious operation south of Quang Ngai supported by MAG-36 and a heliborne assault by the SLF BLT and HMM-362. A similar US Army operation south of the Marines in Binh Dinh province was carried out at the same time. HMM-363 moved further south to Tuy Hoa, again in support of the 101 st Airborne, which was opening another airfield at Phu Cat. In February, HMM-363 rejoined MAG-36 at Chu Lai, after five months in support of US Army and Korean operations at Qui Nhon, Tuy Hoa, and Phu Cat in II Corps.

      Capt. John Van Nortwick of HMM-363 was wearing an XXL infantry flak vest because his regular vest was borrowed while he was away from the squadron. He had to wear the big XXL vest with the right and left flaps overlapped because it was too large. He took a round square in the middle of his chest. The round penetrated the outer flap and bounced off the inner one. XXL flak jackets suddenly became a high fashion item.

      On 4 Mar, 14 helicopters from HMM-261, HMM-364 and VMO-6 were heavily damaged during a troop lift of the 1st ARVN Airborne and 2/7 in support of Operation UTAH by intense anti-aircraft fire (numerous 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine guns). This was the first major contact with the 21 st NVA Regiment. The ARVNS and Marines were then reinforced by HMM-363, while MAG-36 helicopters provided overnight resupply and medevacs. HMM-261 helos were again heavily damaged when inserting 2/4 the next day as a blocking force. A section of H-34s from HMM-364 provided an emergency resupply of ammunition to B company of 1/7 as two helos came across the zone a few feet off the ground while the crewmen kicked the ammo boxes out the doors under extremely heavy fire. This was to be a common sight for the next six years.

      The USS Princeton replaced the USS Valley Forge on 5 Mar, along with BLT 1/5. On 8 Mar, HMM-164 flew to MMAF with the first delivery of 24 Boeing Vertol CH-46A Sea Knight helicopters to join MAG-16. During the next months it was followed by HMM-265 (MAG-16. MMAF), HMM-165 (MAG-36, KyHa) and HMM-262 (MAG-36, KyHa), all in CH-46As.

      On 9 Mar the 95th NVA Regiment overran the A Shau Special Forces Camp near the Laotian border. HMM-163 and VMO-2 assisted in the evacuation of the camp, with the loss of three UH-34s. From 26 Mar to 6 Apr the SLF and HMM-362 participated in OPERATION JACKSTAY with two South Vietnamese Marine battalions in the Rung Sat Special Zone south of Saigon.

      On 9 Apr HMM-364 replaced HMM-362 on the SLF. BLT 3/5 replaced BLT 1/5 on 7 May. On 16May, MajGen Louis B. Robertshaw assumed command of the 1st MAW from MajGen. Keith B. McCutcheon.

      The last half of May was punctuated by extreme political unrest in I Corps, resulting in Prime Minister Ky sending ARVN units into DaNang to reestablish his authority. MAG-16 observed the situation closely from MMAF. The Dong Ha Air Facility was opened to the III MAF on 30May as LtCol P.X. Kelley’s 2/4 moved to a forward position in the northern I Corps, supported by detachments from MAG-16.

      On 18-21 Jun, the amphibious operation DECKHOUSE I was carried out with an attack on the VietCong 12 miles northwest of Tuy Hoa. HMM-363 replaced HMM-364 on the SLF on 4 Jul.

      e9781618585608_i0022.jpg

      LTCOL Mac Tweed, Commanding Officer, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 361 briefs flight crews on enemy held territory in the Republic or Vietnam near Ky Ha, on Oct. 23, 1966. This was just prior to making the rescue of a recon team trapped behincl enemy lines. (Courtesy of M.D. Tweed)

      e9781618585608_i0023.jpg

      Checking out a UH-34 wheel assembly while hovering. (Courtesy of E.J. Coady)

      e9781618585608_i0024.jpg

      Things Go Better with Háy uóng. Huh? This was taken outside of Da Nang. (Courtesy of Gene Wesolowski)

      OPERATION HASTINGS began as a search and destroy mission 55 miles NW of Hue to counter the NVA 324B Division across the DMZ. Task Force Delta, initially consisting of three Marine battalions, grew to six battalions, and five Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) battalions. Some MAG-16 units. including a detachment of eight UH-1 Es from VMO-2, moved to Dong Ha Airfield to support Hastings. The initial helicopter assault occurred on 15 Jul with a troop lift to LZ Crow, 5 miles northeast of the Rockpile, near the DMZ. Helicopters from HMM-164 and HMM-265 participated in the initial lift. Three CH-46As collided with each other and the surrounding vegetation in the LZ. providing the new name Helicopter Valley to the Ngan Valley.

      On 16 Jul, a platoon from 1st Force Recon Company rappelled from a MAG-16 helicopter onto the summit of the Rockpile to establish an OP for the first time. NVA units were located in large caves throughout the adjacent Razorback, which made for much contact during the coming month.

      DECKHOUSE II began on 16 Jul with the SLF near the DMZ as an amphibious assault in support of OPERATION HASTINGS with BLT 3/ 5 and HMM-363. On 21 Jul, all CH-46As were grounded for application of air and fuel filters because of excessive sand ingestion. The 1st Battalion, 2nd Korean Marine Brigade arrived 3 miles south of Chu Lai on 1 Aug. The 2nd Battalion arrived in September. On 4 Aug BLT 1/26 replaced BLT 3/5 aboard the SLF. The USS Iwo Jima became the amphibious assault ship.

      On 3 Aug OPERATION PRAIRIE I commenced to determine the extent of NVA forces in the DMZ, primarily the NVA 324B and 341st Divisions. The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, the 1st Force Recon Co. and a detachment of MAG-16 helicopters occupied the Dong Ha Airfield. Two battalions were on alert at Phu Bai.

      Stingray teams from 1st Force Recon were inserted by UH-1Es from VMO-2 along suspected enemy avenues of approach. On 6 Aug, team Groucho Marx was inserted north of the Rockpile. After many sightings, and in an attempt to capture NVA prisoners, HMM-265 helilifted reinforcements to the position. HMM-161 attempted a retraction of the reinforcing unit, but was waved off by the ground commander due to intense enemy fire after picking up 20 of the 45 troops. Capt. Howard V. Lee of 2/4 attempted to reinforce the beleaguered unit, but eventually was seriously wounded by a grenade. A UH-1E flown by Major V. Wayne Hazelbaker of VMO-2 was shot down at the defensive position by an RPG during an ammo resupply. With all of the troops wounded, Maj. Hazelbaker assumed command from Capt. Lee and controlled close air support all night from VMO-2 and fixed wing, aided by the additional ammo and armament from the disabled UH-1E. Maj. Hazelbaker was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.

      On 16 Aug, the SLF conducted DECKHOUSE III on the Vung Tau Peninsula 60 miles south of Saigon with HMM-363. On 15-18 Sep, the SLF participated in DECKHOUSE IV near the DMZ, eight miles northeast of Dong Ha, again with HMM-363. This was a search and destroy operation in conjunction with OPERATION PRAIRIE I. On 24 Sep HMM-362 relieved HMM-363 as the SLF squadron. The 3rd Marine Division moved north to Quang Tri and Thua Thien provinces on 10 Oct. BLT 3/26 relieved BLT 1/26. A temporary SLF was organized from 2 Oct - 8 Nov as a reserve with BLT 3/3 and HMM-163 during primary SLF maneuvers in the Philippines. BLT 1/ 9 relieved BLT 3/26 on the SLF at the end of the year.

      The line up of squadrons at the end of the year included HMM’s 164, 165, 262, and 265 (H-46s); HMM’s 263, 362 (SLF), 363, and 364 (H-34s); Det HMH-463 (4 H-53As, afloat) VMO-2, VMO-6, and VMO-3 (who arrived 29 Dec) (UH-1 Es), H&MS-11 (3 UH-34Ds), H&MS-16 (4 UH-34Ds)(6 CH-37s) (9 O-1Cs), H&MS-17 (4 UH-34Ds) and H&MS-36 (3 UH-34Ds). III MAF strength at the end of the year included 65,789 men.

      1967

      Operation PRAIRIE I, II and III continued in northern I Corps in support of the 3rd Marine Division (3rd MarDiv) until 20 Apr in Quang Tri Province and the southern DMZ. Operation STONE was completed during the month of February in Quang Nam Province. The operation commenced 12 miles south of Da Nang, in an area that was and would be cleared many times with support from MAG-16. The Khe Sanh combat base now had a permanent detachment of 2 H-46s, 2 H-34s and 2 UH-1Es from MAG-16. The medevac team was now a single H-34 or H-46 with a UH-1 E gunship chase on 24 hour standby. Hanoi at this time was following its long-term strategy of protracted war.

      On 8 Jan, four CH-53As arrived in RVN, attached to MAG-16. This was the beginning of the planned replacement of H&MS-16’s CH-37Cs. Regardless of its eccentricities, the Deuce was the Marines’ Heavy Lifter since its introduction to the Corps, 10 years earlier. Few helicopters ever looked so formidable. Nevertheless, the arrival of the H-53s ushered in a new era of turbine-powered heavy-lift capability. The remainder of HMH-463 arrived on 23 May.

      The SLF squadron at the beginning of the year aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LPH- 2) was HMM-362 until 18 Jan, when it was replaced by HMM-363. In April, two SLFs were formed, each with an HMM. HMM-363 (H-34s) and BLT 1/3 were aboard the USS Iwo Jima for a practice amphibious assault on Mindanao and a landing at Duc Pho in southern I Corps. They then transferred to the USS Princeton in Subic Bay and returned to Dong Ha in April. HMM-164 boarded the USS Princeton in March, transferred to the USS Tripoli (LPH-10) in Subic Bay, and returned to RVN with BLT 2/3 from Okinawa as SLF B in time for the Hill Fights at Khe Sanh. The original SLF had been redesignated SLF B. HMMs 362, 363, 164, 265, and 262 rotated through SLF B. HMMs 263, 362, 163 and 361 rotated through SLF A during the year.

      Typical of HMM squadrons’ operations conducted during an SLF tour were those of HMM 263 during the period Feb - Nov 1967. Embarked aboard the USS Okinawa, 263 conducted assualt landings in Operation Beaver Cage 25 miles south of Da Nang; Operations Bear Bite 4 miles northeast of Hue/Phu Bai; and Operations Colgate 1 mile east of Hue/Phu Bai. Following these, 263’s most significant operation was Beau Charger which was the first official incursion by US Forces into the DMZ. As noted in a later paragraph, 263 suffered heavy casualties and damage during this strongly opposed landing.

      The M-16A1 rifle was introduced to all Marines in Vietnam during mid-March. By December, they had a 67% failure rate, primarily due to its failure to extract spent cartridge cases from fouled chambers, requiring the procurement of chromed chambers and barrels during 1968.

      On 24 Apr the first battle of Khe Sanh (the Khe Sanh Hill Fights) was fought over Hills 881N, 881S and 861 above the combat base. A Marine FO unit stumbled onto a large NVA contingent, uncovering an enemy intent to attack in force. MAG-16 helos lifted in a reinforcing Marine regiment and intense fighting continued well into May. This was to have been the build-up to the NVA main force attack on Khe Sanh while other diversions and coordinated attacks were planned at other Marine positions in I Corps, presumably on 8 May, the 13th anniversary of the fall of the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu.

      The NVA executed its plan to overrun Con Thien on 8 May. It had already overrun Lang Vei on 4 May. Con Thien became a major focus for the NVA attacks for the remainder of the year. Marine helos, including HMM-164, provided massive support to Marines dug in throughout Leatherneck Square in northeast I Corps. On 10 May, a Marine A-4 Skyhawk was downed during a bombing mission south of the DMZ by a surface to air missile (SAM) fired from a position north of the Ben Hai River in the DMZ. On 18 May, HMM-263 sustained significant loss and combat damage in Operation Beau Charger during an insertion in the DMZ. The NVA 324B Division eventually moved back into the DMZ, where U. S. policy provided a safe haven for the NVA troops.

      On 3 Jul, NVA artillery did significant damage to the supply dump at the Dong Ha airfield. Dye Marker became the official name of the Strong Point Obstacle System (known by Marines as the McNamara Line) on 14 Jul. The DMZ was to be fortified, much to the dismay of the III MAF leadership.

      Capt. Steve Pless of VMO-6, flying gunship escort out of Ky Ha for a medevac on 26 Aug, was enroute back into Ky Ha when he heard an Army Chinook (CH-47) pilot on the guard channel indicating that he had landed in an unsecured LZ with mechanical problems. He then came under VC attack and lifted off, leaving some of his passengers in the LZ whom immediately came under heavy VC fire. Pless was overhead and saw the VC capture the six Americans who were stranded there. He rolled in with rockets and machine guns, which caused the VC to scatter. Pless then landed, and together with his copilot and crew, left the helicopter to assist the survivors aboard his UH-1E. As they scrambled aboard, the VC resumed their attack on the helo crew and its new passengers. Overloaded, Pless jettisoned his rocket pods, and nursed his helicopter out of the LZ. Pless was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, while his remaining crewmembers received Navy Crosses for their actions that day.

      During August the 1 st Marine Division again went into the Tam Ky-Hiep Duc-Thang Binh triangle south of Da Nang. MAG-36 went in as well, together with SLF A and HMM-362. On 31 Aug, during a medevac, a CH-46A from HMM-262 disintegrated in-flight while enroute to the USS Tripoli. The next day another H-46 experienced a similar failure at MMAF. H-46 missions were restricted to emergency only. The USS Tripoli withdrew from SLF duties temporarily to ferry H-46s to Okinawa for structural modifications. HMM-262 assisted Boeing Vertol in the modification program, which lasted until February 1968.

      On 3 Sep NVA artillery destroyed the large Dong Ha ammo dump. Dong Ha was abandoned as a permanent helicopter base due to NVA artillery and rocket damage and the base moved to Quang Tri. The 3rd MarDiv moved north from Da Nang to Hue; the First Marine Division moved up from Chu Lai to Da Nang, and the operating areas of Marine helos moved similarly. Changes to the helicopter order of battle took place as MAG-36 moved from Ky Ha to Phu Bai / Quang Tri on 4 Oct to be nearer the 3rd MarDiv. HMMs 164, 362 and VMO-3 transferred to MAG-36. HMM-265 moved to MAG-16 at MMAF.

      MajGen Bruno Hochmuth, Commanding General, 3rd MarDiv died when his UH-1E from VMO-3 exploded and crashed 5 miles NW of Hue on 14 Nov killing Capts Kelsey and Carter, and Cpl Ron Phelps. By the end of 1967, Hanoi had changed its strategy to maximum effort to win the war quickly. MACV anticipated this NVA change for the coming year.

      1968

      On 1 January, USMC personnel in the RVN totaled 76,616 men. MAG-16 at MMAF included H&MS-16 (O-1s and H-34s), HMM-265 (H-46As), HMM-363 (H-34s), HMH-463 (H-53s) and VMO-2 (UH-1Es). MAG-16 supported the 1st Mar Div, the Republic of Korea Marines, and occasionally the 3rd Mar Div. MAG-36 at Phu Bai included HMM-164 (H-46As), HMM-362 (H-34s), HMM-364 (H-46Ds) and VMO-3 (UH-1Es). MAG-36 units at Quang Tri airfield were HMM-163 (H-34s), HMM-262 (H-46As) (from SLF) and VMO-6 (UH-1Es). MAG-36 supported 3rd Mar Div and Task Force Xray of the 1st Mar Div. Other airfields in use in I Corps were Dong Ha, Khe Sanh, An Hoa and Tam Ky.

      These years of the war saw an increased rate of casualties to both aircraft and aircrew. The subject of armor for both became more important. In the early years, armor for H-34s, other than self-sealing fuel cells, and their crews did not formally exist. Soon the need became apparent and both formal and informal programs took place. By 1964, all H-34s that were in country were equipped with oil tank armor plate under the engine compartment. Crews were issued vests and diapers of spun fiberglass that were only marginally effective in stopping light shrapnel. Soon, the diapers were not being worn, but were folded double and sat upon. Personal initiative soon took over and crews were acquiring other more effective items such as the solid fiberglass vests worn by infantry units.

      By the late 60s, all new production UH-1Es, CH-46s and CH-53s were equipped with pilot’s armored seats, and CH-46s also had engine armor. Older aircraft were similarly retrofitted during the overhaul cycle. This armor was constructed of a steel-kevlar sandwich and performed well. Crews were issued bullet bouncers, a garment worn bib-wise designed to stop a .50 cal round. In 1969, CH-46 losses caused by hits in the broom closet" area that housed the flight system hydraulics behind the co-pilot’s seat dictated another armor kit installation protecting this area. During the final years of the war, all aircraft were also equipped with missile launch warning receivers, flare dispensers, and engine exhaust signature suppressors to defeat the increased NVA AAA threat from hand-launched heat seeking surface to air missiles.

      At the beginning of the year, HMM-361 was aboard the USS Iwo Jima with SLF A, followed by HMMs 363, 362, 363, and 362 during the year, transitioning to the helicopter carrier USS Okinawa during the year. HMM-262 (Det A, the Poor Devils) was aboard the USS Valley Forge as the helicopter squadron with SLF B, replaced by HMMs 165, 164, 265, 165, and 164 throughout the year. The USS Tripoli replaced the USS Valley Forge in July.

      With the arrival of US Army units in southern I Corps, Marine ground forces were now deployed primarily around Da Nang and near the DMZ in the north. Marine helicopters also operated primarily in those areas. During January and February, the much publicized Tet offensive took place and Marine helo squadrons were fully involved in many actions including the battle for Hue City, the defense of Khe Sanh, and many other operations throughout I Corps.

      The 77 day Siege of Khe Sanh began on 21 Jan when a Marine patrol made contact on Hill 881 with a heavy concentration of NVA troops. During the bombardment of the base and the required resupply, losses of helicopters had been high. Crew losses were equally high. The battle continued into February and March with much of the logistic support provided by Super Gaggles of CH-46s hauling 3000# external loads under IFR/VFR conditions from Dong Ha into the battalion LZs in the hills north of the combat base, supported by Marine jets and gunships. The Super Gaggle enabled eight or more H-46s to drop their entire resupply in approximately five minutes, thus reducing the individual exposure to NVA firepower. The Siege of Khe Sanh was over with the taking of Hill 881N by 3rd Division Marines on 14 Apr. The Khe Sanh base was abandoned in July as no longer required for strategic purposes as a static defense base.

      In March, HQMC restructured all VMO squadrons in the USMC to begin receiving the North American OV-10A Broncos. One half of the UH-1E inventory would be transferred from the VMOs to new Marine Light Helicopter Squadrons (HMLs) for the duration of the war. On 1 Mar, VMO-3 at Phu Bai was redesignated HML-367 with a transfer of all aircraft and personnel. On 15 Mar, HML-167 was established at MMAF with 13 UH-1Es from VMO-2. VMO-6 remained all UH-1E through the year, based at Quang Tri. The squadrons were tremendously overworked throughout the year, waiting for relief in the form of more Broncos, and the Bell AH-1G Cobra gunship in 1969.

      Because of the increasing demand for fixed wing and helicopter pilots in RVN, the US Air Force and the US Army began training pilots for the USMC. The first of 155 graduates of the USAF fixed wing program appeared in June. The first of 150 graduates of the US Army helicopter program appeared in October. The 1st MAW was being asked to support all of the aviation needs of two reinforced Marine divisions.

      In order to provide improved response to 3rd Marine Division units along the DMZ, PROVMAG-39 was established from the existing units at Quang Tri on 14 Apr. The attached units were HMM-163 (H-34s). HMM-262 (H-46As) and VMO-6 (UH-1Es). Phu Bai retained the remainder of the squadrons of MAG-36. On 17 May. HMM-161 replaced HMM-163 at Quang Tri with a full strength squadron of CH-46Ds. HMM-361 departed for CONUS on 18 May. HMM-163 returned to MMAF and then to CONUS on 31 Aug. HMH-462 arrived at MAG-36 on 21 Aug with additional H-53As.

      The first fixed-wing OV- 10A arrived in-country in May, and was assigned to VMO-2 at MMAF. By the end of the year, VMO-2 had 13 Broncos. The OV-10s were a remarkable addition to the observation role. With their capability to carry rockets and machine guns, they also served in a light attack role, although that role was not the OV-10s’ MOS. On 9 Oct Maj. Michael Leahy accompanied Capt. Gene Kimmel of VMO-2 in an OV-10 on a mission to support a Marine rifle company SW of Da Nang on a sweep of a paddy/village area. The remarkable aircraft lazed just a few hundred feet overhead until called upon by the company commander to attack tree lines and other entrenchments in the company’s path. If it weren’t war, it could have been a symphony. Capt. Kimmel and his Airborne Observer (AO) were killed two weeks later.

      August and September were surprisingly quiet in the Marine Tactical Areas of Responsibility (TAORs), although many Marine search and destroy, cordon and patrol operations required helo support from MAG-16, MAG-36, PROVMAG-39 and the SLF squadrons.

      e9781618585608_i0025.jpg

      The Rockpile with a helicopter pad on top. (Courtesy of Robert Hachtel)

      e9781618585608_i0026.jpg

      Marble Mountain, ready for take off. (Courtesy of M.L. Poleski)

      e9781618585608_i0027.jpg

      Looking out for Indians. (Courtesy of M.L. Poleski)

      During mid-September, 24 H-46s, primarily from MAG-39 at Quang Tri landed 1700 troops along the south side of Ben Hai River, in the middle of the DMZ, in a pincer movement. The LZ was honeycombed with well-used trails leading from North Vietnam to the south.

      The battleship USS New Jersey (BB62) arrived off the coast of the DMZ on 29 Sep. In October, the Thuong Due Special Forces camp, which controlled the route from the A Shau Valley into Quang Nam Province, southwest of Da Nang came under heavy NVA pressure. A classic relief operation, Operation Maui Peak, took place with a ground column fixing the NVA in place while MAG-16 helos lifted in one Marine and two ARVN battalions behind them to inflict heavy NVA casualties and relieve the camp.

      President Johnson announced a complete halt to bombing and naval bombardment of North Vietnam on 31 Oct. On 1 Nov, North Vietnam announced they would meet in Paris with the United States, South Vietnam and the communist National Liberation Front.

      Operation Meade River continued into December in the familiar Dodge City triangle, south of Da Nang, supported by MAG-16. Camp Carroll artillery base near the DMZ was abandoned by the end of December.

      By the end of the year, the active squadrons in I Corps included VMO-2 (UH-1Es and OV 10s - MMAF), VMO-6 (UH- 1Es- Quang Tri), HML-167 (UH-1Es - MMAF) and HML-367 (UH-1Es-Phu Bai). Also included were HMM-161 (H-46Ds-Quang Tri), HMM-165 (H-46As-MMAF), HMM-262 (H-46As-Quang Tri), HMM-265 (H-46As-Phu Bai), HMM-363 (H-34s-Phu Bai), and HMM-364 (H-46Ds-MMAF). Additional squadrons included HMH-462 (H-53s-Phu Bai) and HMH-463 (H-53s-MMAF). HMM-362 (H-34s) was assigned to SLF A aboard the USS Okinawa. HMM-164 (H-46As) was assigned to SLF B aboard the USS Tripoli.

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1