 |
HMH-361
Vietnam Cruise Book |
 |
THE HISTORY OF HMH 361 |
| In
the beginning, God created the heavens, the earth, and HMH-361 evolved. On 10 June 1968 HMH-361 was formed. LTCOL M.J. Needham
received the colors of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Three Six One which recently
returned from a distinguished and honorable tour in the Republic of Vietnam and the
squadron was re-designated" Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 |
 |
 |
| The old
"UH-34D" |
The new "CH-53A" |
"CH-53D"
|
| Click
here for Specifications on the Marine Corps CH-53 Helicopters CH-53A CH-53 D |
From it's creation HMH-361 excelled in accomplishing her
mission of forming a working, living squadron. |
On 7 December 1968,
LTCOL K.W. Andrus assumed the duties as
Commanding Officer of HMH-361. |
Change of Command
 |
| THE HISTORY OF THE FLYING TIGERS
Our Squadron Sign In Vietnam |
 |
During the
following months a demanding and exacting training program was conducted for pilots and
flight crews in preparation for a combat tour in South Vietnam. |
 |
| We worked inside |
And we worked outside |
In April of 1969 the second marine aircraft wing
administration and material predeployment inspection was held. Due to the many hours of
combined efforts HMH-361 was able to gather all of it's "Sierra" and put it in
one "Bravo" to the satisfaction of the 2nd maw commanding general. HMH361 was
awarded the commanding general's trophy as the most outstanding squadron of the more than
thirty competing squadrons in the Second marine aircraft wing. We even outshone the
"Zoomies" and were the best conditioned set of young marines in the wing as we
were number one in the grueling PFT, thanks to that miracle juice from the land of the sky
blue waters.
We really humped the load:
After
several suspense filled months the squadron was finally assigned a date for deployment to
the Republic of Vietnam . All the pilots and crews had qualified in their respective areas
of combat preparedness. This preparation included the Herculean task of getting eighteen
of the most sophisticated and complex aircraft in the marine corps inventory ready for the
cross-country flight from MCAS, New River, North Carolina, to NAS North Island,
California, for boarding upon the USS NEW ORLEANS for transportation to that popular Asian
country of sunshine and excitement.
Click on photo
Below are some
candid photos of our pilots, crews, and maintenance personnel in the flurry of
preparedness. |
 |
 HMH 361 Squadron Photos
|
On 25 July, three
officers of HMH-361 flew to RVN as an advance party. It was a very difficult job for the
C.O. to choose from all the volunteers to make up the advance party but finally three
brave souls were chosen, shackled, and sent.
On 29
July, our embark officer, affectionately called "Lighting" loaded 92,574 pounds
of logistical gear and stuff aboard three air force C -141 I's for ferry to RVN from North
Carolina. This feat was a first for the marine corps as a method of deployment
and "Lightning's" estimate of weight was off only 343 lightweight pounds.
Upon
arrival at North Island, California, the majority of the officers and men of HMH 361 flew
to the Republic of Viet Nam on 29 July leaving a sad and depressed contingent of twelve
officers and sixty enlisted men to escort our aircraft on the perilous voyage across
the wide Pacific. Stopping for ship's stores in out of the way ports like Honolulu and
Okinawa on the proud ship USS NEW ORLEANS.
The
trip was a perilous journey and the men of HMH-361 devoted themselves entirely to getting "snapped
in" to the traditional navy way of life and to all those neat naval customs.
Below is a picture of the "dirty dozen" as they exemplify the marine efforts to get squared away like our naval
counterparts. |
|
|
All Guests Please
Feel Free
To
Sign My Guestbook
View My Guestbook
Web page design by:
Alan Weiss
ABV.NET
Phone: (631) 734-7754
Fax: (631) 734-7754
e-mail: Webmaster@ABV.NET |
|
|
|
|
Please  for any comments, suggestions, or bad links
Thanks for stopping by
Semper Fi
 |
