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This day in History 15 Apr 1962:

This day in History 15 Apr 1962:

HMM-362 becomes first Marine Unit in Mekong Delta during Operation Shufly.

The Ugly Angels hold the proud distinction of having served as the first Marine aircraft unit in the Republic of Vietnam, going ashore on 15 April 1962 as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron Light HMR (L) 362 with their Sikorsky UH-34s, arriving at Sóc Trăng in the Mekong Delta south of Saigon.[1] under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Archie Clapp. The task unit was called “Shufly” and its first operational employment involved lifting Vietnamese troops into battle on April 22.

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Comments

Kapena - April 18, 2020

Never forgotten. Indeed. Semper Fidelis.

Dingus - April 18, 2020

Kapena-’71/’72composite with 462&165(we called it Air Group 627!)and detachment of Huey’s-USS Tripoli/LPH10-It was this cruise that grounded ALL 46’s for awhile-Falling out of sky-rotors out of sync and meshing-Lost 11 pilots and crew-All good Marines-They are REMBERED-Never Forgotten-

Kapena - April 18, 2020

Boo-yah! Dingus, small world. Went composite squadron with HMM-165 White Knights on LHA-5 USS PELELIU on her maiden west-pac cruise. 1982. Sqn.Com. Col. Campbell’s brother Lt. Col.Wally Campbell(former adjutant General of the Marine Corps) some 14 years later cross paths with me and offer me a security job which after 24 years am still employed at. And theres no doubt in my mind that being under his brother’s command and our shared brotherhood connection got me my job. Marines always take care of their own. Oh yeah we use to call the CH- 46 Boeing Vertol body bags! They sure do shake a lot! Also trained OJT with HMH462 Heavy Haulers! OOORAH!!

Dingus - April 18, 2020

Kapena-No Screaming Eagle Sh-t! I was at Santa Ana ’70-Boot camp ITR buddy went to El Toro on JP4/5 fuel tankers-A EA school buddy went with me to Santa Ana-but he went to HMHT 302(CH-46s(widow makers)shipped over to the “Rock” 1 month B4 I did with HMM 165- Met him going back stateside when I got there-Already with a purple heart-“Choppers” do not stop a lot of incoming rounds! Lost some good crews and pilots-But also made the BEST Friends any one could ever want- I still keep in touch with my last GySgt widow and daughter-and she is 83 now-Once A Marine-Always A Marine- Semper Fi

Kapena - April 18, 2020

Dingus-OORAH. Did my OJT at MCAS Tustin, Orange county.LTA. TME 32. Good times. Use to be a platform someone built in the trees directly over the AmTrac railroad. Just outside the base. Did some crazy shit! OORAH!

Dingus HMH 462 - April 18, 2020

Kapena HMH463

HMHT 301 Santa Ana-LTA–HMH 462 Futema-FMF-PAC

Don Colby, Capt , USMCR Retired - April 18, 2020

Was Col Hoyle Barr’s Adjutant in 61. until He was assigned skipper of 362 prep it for Vietnam. He was a great Skipper. Kept in contact after we both later retired to North Texas. I was released from active duty in Aug 61 so I missed out on transfer.

Charles E Burin - April 18, 2020

The Ugly Angels also had a detachment of 3 OE-1’s from VMO-2 when the went into Soc Trang.

the deuce - April 18, 2020

Well said.

Ernest Herrera HMM 363 1967,HMM 362 1969 HMH 361 1969 HML 167 1970 - April 18, 2020

Proud to be an Ugly. 1969 Phu Bai.

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