"That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors and officers as usual in other regiments, that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no person be appointed to office or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea." Resolution of the Continental Congress, 10 November 1775.

"And furthermore we just gotta get some of those helicopters." Addendum to the Resolution. 

Who said that our command wasn't forward looking!!!

The Squadron

HMLA 367 Over Fallon, Nevada.

HMLA 367

The Squadron today, which flies the Bell UH-1N (Huey) and the AH-1W (SuperCobra) Helicopters has a long and distinguished record in the United States Marine Corps.  

Its historical lineage can be traced back to December 1st, 1943 when it was activated in Quantico, Virginia as Marine Observation Squadron 351 which was assigned to the Artillery Spotting Division.

In January of 1944 the Squadron was re-designated as VMO-3 and deployed to Marine Air Group 11 on the island of Espiritu Santo whereupon it took part in the campaigns on Peleliu and Okinawa. Following these battles the Squadron which flew Piper Cubs, was then assigned to the First Marine Air Wing and participated in the occupation of North China from October of 1945 through June of 1947.  Following two subsequent deployments to Guam, the Squadron was relocated in May of 1949 to Cherry Point, North Carolina and assigned to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing.  The Squadron having served honorably throughout the Pacific Theater was deactivated on August 20th,1949.

As America increased its presence in the Republic of South Vietnam, the Marine Corps reactivated VMO-3 at Camp Pendleton on August 1st, 1966 and assigned it Marine Air Group 37. 

In December of 1966 four UH-1E's were sent ahead of the main squadron.  The disassembled Hueys, four officers and sixteen enlisted men of VMO-3 Detachment Alpha flew to Cubi Point in C-130 cargo aircraft, where they boarded the LPH-2 Iwo Jima and provided gunship and slick support as part of a Special Landing Force conducting Operation Deckhouse V in the Mekong Delta.   On Christmas day, 1966, the majority of the squadron embarked on C-130 aircraft and flew to Vietnam arriving at Phu Bai on the 27th. They began  preparations to receive the  eight aircraft and  officers and men who sailed  to Vietnam on the USNS Crotan, who subsequently arrived at Marble Mountain Air Facility on 8 January 1967.   VMO-3 became fully operational at Hue/Phu Bai on 16 January 1967.  Detachment Alpha rejoined the unit at Phu Bai on 19 January 1967.  The twelve aircraft and 125 men of the reunited squadron were the “first increment” of VMO-3.  In May 1967 the “second increment” of VMO-3 arrived at Hue/Phu Bai.  This brought the squadron to full strength, with 33 officers, 194 enlisted, twelve gunships and six slicks.

(The men of VMO-3 Detachment Alpha: OIC and pilot Jack Pipa, pilots Bill Tinsley, Ed Lord and John Koyiades (no officer photos available.)   Enlisted in the photo collage: NCOIC Harvey Morton; group picture (l-r) Frankie Miller, Anthony Zitkus, Randy St. Moritz, Vic Martinez and Ron Zaczek.  George Finch thumbs up.  Tommy Hughes at copilot's door.   Ray Blankenheim, James Vest atop the cabin.  Ron Zaczek at tail rotor.  No photos available for Kenneth Brown, Bill Francis, Bob Chess, Melvin Godwin, Arthur Larsen and William Smith).

(click on image to see full size pictures)

In 1966 and for the first half of 1967, the squadron's radio call sign was "Oakgate," which when slurred through a Fox Mike, grunt radio operators took to be "OK."  Many a pilot screamed "Oakgate, Oakgate" at a radio operator, only to hear an increasingly angry "OK, OK 1-4.  I copy OK!"   Major Bill Murphy is credited with first using the call "Scarface" while on TAD, and lobbied to have the substantially more macho Scarface designation adopted as VMO-3's signature when all Marine squadrons In Country changed call signs during the summer of 1967.

VMO-3 continued carrying on her assigned missions and supporting the Marines on the ground and meeting all her commitments as well as providing support to MACV-SOG until her re-designation. The Squadron assumed a new identity in March 1969 when VMO-3 was re-designated HML 367.  The Marines of HML 367 soon showed that it was a change in name only as they continued the fine record of VMO-3. Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367 was then commissioned, the date was April 1st, 1968.  After its commissioning the Squadron was assigned the  UH-1E assets of VMO-3.

Thus, born in a combat environment, HML-367 began operations in direct support of ground combat units.  Functioning in the primary role of "Gunships", the Squadron quickly established a reputation for Mission effectiveness, reliability and safety. Before the appearance of the Cobra, HML-367 flew a mixture of Huey (UH-1E) gunships and "Slicks"; lightly armed models configured for the utility mission. However do not be misled by the term "utility" it often meant inserting or removing troops form less than friendly LZ's and med-evac's under less than optimal conditions.

The pace of the Vietnam war was dictated in part by the weather.  When the monsoons were in full force, flight operations were somewhat curtailed, but during the dry season, HML-367 normally flew a schedule of phenomenal intensity, flying missions in support of  Medina, Fortress Ridge, Prairie Fire, Project Delta, Sparrow Hawk, Dewey Canyon, Apache Snow and Swift Saber, in addition to the countless other missions flown. It would be easy to lose count of the battles and campaigns that HML-367 participated in.

Squadron assets quickly grew from eighteen aircraft  (UH-1E) to twenty five.  In 1969, HML-367 went over 2000 flight hours for the month of June. 

October of 1969 saw the departure of Marine Air Group 36 from the Republic of South Vietnam.  Due to the continued necessity for armed helicopter support, HML-367 remained in Vietnam and was assigned to Marine Air Group 16 (Forward) at Phu Bai.  In December of 1969 HML 367 was hastily moved to Marble Mountain Air Facility on the beach at Da Nang.  Although the move was expected it came much earlier then announced, and the squadron was hard pressed to make the move on time.  While the embarkation crews worked around the clock to move the squadron's entire material, the maintenance crews struggled to meet heavy operational commitments.  Their efforts were so successful that the squadron was able to remain fully operational throughout the period functioning as an integral part of MAG-16. It was concurrent with this move that HML-367 began flying the AH-1G Cobra, thus becoming the first operational "Cobra" Squadron in the Marine Corps.

Photo Courtesy Dennis Bevis

When the Squadron replaced their "Hueys" with twenty four new "Cobras", the flight load barely slackened.  Meanwhile, pilots and mechanics grappled with the challenge of adapting to the new equipment.  However despite poor winter weather, HML-367 broke the 2000 hour mark once again in January, 1970.  Less than a month after transitioning to the new aircraft.

On April 24th, 1970 in another show of maintenance magic, the Squadron had all of their twenty five aircraft in an "Up" status.  This was the first time a Helicopter Squadron had attained 100%  aircraft availability in Vietnam.  To celebrate the event,  a 25-plane "fly-over" of Marble Mountain was conducted  with Plane Captains called on to fill the front seats of all 25 "Cobras".

Total flight time for Fiscal Year 1970 was 22,378 hours.  A tribute to the hard work and determination of her maintenance and support personnel who allowed the pilots and aircrews to maintain this rigorous schedule.

  One of the accounts of heroism to emerge from the Squadron records carries a touch of humor and a hint of how wild and courageous the "SCARFACE" crews could be.  This is the first successful med-evac in a Cobra.

HML-367 completed its combat tour in Vietnam in June of 1971, when it departed to relocate at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa.  Once established the Squadron began peacetime operations using the UH-1E.  Once again a member of Marine Aircraft Group 36, HML-367 continued to establish an impressive record of accomplishment, balancing safety and performance to provide constant support for Okinawa based units.

In April of 1975, HML-367(-) Rein, with nine Uh-1E's and twelve CH-46's deployed aboard the USS Midway, the USS Hancock, and to NAS Cubi Point in support of Operations Eagle Pull, Talon Vise and Frequent Wind.  The Squadron participated in the evacuation of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees from the mainland during both April and May.  Squadron readiness was put to the test with consistently noteworthy results. In June HML-367 returned to Okinawa and resumed normal operations.

1975 continued to be a year of significance.  In November the Squadron relocated to Hamby Army Airfield, which was re-designated MCALF, Hamby. 

While becoming established at its new home, the Squadron simultaneously began preparations for the receipt of a new aircraft, the UH-1N. The first UH-1N was received in January of 1976, and by February 8, a total of 16 UH-1N's had been accepted replacing I3UH-1E's. On 1 April 1977, a detachment of 6 AH-1J's and 79 officers and men were Joined to the Squadron commencing the unit rotation concept for the Cobra gunships.

In November of 1979, after more than eight years on the island of Okinawa, HML-367 was reassigned to MAG-39, Third MAW, at Camp Pendleton. The majority of Squadron personnel stayed behind, having been transferred to other units of the First Marine Air Wing. On 7 December 1979, LtCol. D. C. EVANS took command of HML-367, which consisted at the time of a Bible, the Squadron colors and seven enlisted Marines including the incumbent Sergeant Major. New personnel were selected from the parent command, and by the time LtCol. W. F. Percival took the helm in August 1981, unit strength was up to 165 men and 16 aircraft. During the interim, HMLA-367 distinguished itself once again by maintaining 100% operational aircraft readiness for 35 consecutive days. This accomplishment had been unprecedented in the Third Marine Aircraft Wing. Another milestone while still under LtCol. Percival was the conversion of the Squadron to its present status as a composite squadron.  

  The Squadron spends six of each eighteen months in Okinawa rotating with two other squadrons. While at Camp Pendleton, the Squadron supports major exercises and deploys for training frequently at Twenty-nine Palms, Yuma and Nellis AFB. While in Okinawa, the Squadron visits such places as Cubi Point in the Philippines, Atsugi, Japan, and Camp Butler, Korea, for training and to support major exercises. HMLA-367 also frequently supports higher headquarters by transporting VIP's, and assists both the military and civilian communities with its med-evac capability.

HMLA-367's history continues with participation in Desert Storm and numerous other missions and  actions. A proud tradition that continues to this day.

As of today HMLA-367, located at Camp Pendleton, is a combination of 9 UH-1N Hueys and 18 AH-1W SuperCobras all with the Night Targeting System (NTS). Those airframes will be replaced in 3 - 5 years with the 4 bladed versions...UH-1Y and AH-1Z. 

SCARFACE

  Included in HML-367's unit honors are: The Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with three bronze stars; Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with one bronze star; the Meritorious Unit Citation with one bronze star; the Asia Pacific Campaign with two bronze stars; the WWII Victory Streamer; the China Service Streamer; the Vietnam Service Streamer with two silver and one bronze star and the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer. (From the USMC Historical Center)

Commanding Officers

Maj.  John L. Canney    15 Dec. 1943-29 Feb. 1944

Maj. Charles E. McLean    01 Mar. 1944-30 Apr. 1945

Capt. Wallace J. Slappey    01 May 1945-30 June 1945

Capt. Peter Fritz    01 July 1945-31 Aug. 1945

1st Lt. Victor Reeves    01 Sept. 1945-31 Dec. 1945

1st Lt. Thomas R. Riley    01 Jan. 1946-28 Feb. 1946

Capt. Billey C. Marks    01 Mar. 1946-03 Nov. 1946

Capt. Jesse V. Booker    04 Nov. 1946-30 June 1947

Capt. Kenneth B. Nelson    01 Jul. 1947-20 Aug.1949

REACTIVATED 01 AUG. 1966

Maj. Francis R. Murray   01 Aug. 1966-15 Sept. 1966

Maj. Kyle W. Townsend   16 Sept. 1966-17 Aug. 1967

LtCol. Glen Hunter   18 Aug. 1967-07 Apr. 1968

LtCol. Robert King Jr.   08 Apr. 1968-21 Aug. 1968

LtCol. Richard L. Robinson   22 Aug. 1968-19 Feb. 1969

LtCol. Bobby R. Wilkinson   20 Feb. 1969-14 Oct. 1969

LtCol. Warren G. Cretney   15 Oct. 1969-15 Mar. 1970

LtCol. Harry E. Sexton   16 Mar. 1970-21 Oct. 1970

LtCol. Clifford E. Reese   22 Oct. 1970-31 May1 971

Maj. Richard Sancho   01 June 1971-12 Dec. 1971

Maj. William T. Hewes  13 Dec. 1971-30 June 1972

LtCol Jesse R. Greer   01 July 1972-12 July 1971

Maj. Frederic L. Gatz   13 July 1973-12 Sept. 1973

LtCol. William T. Lunsford    13 Sept. 1973-12 May 1974

Maj. Roger T. Fetterly   13 May 1974-24 Sept. 1974

LtCol. John R. Gentry   25 Sept. 1974-30 Aug 1975

LtCol. Franklin H. Heins   31 Aug. 1975-31 Aug. 1976

LtCol. Roland S. Merrill   01 Sept. 1976-18 June 1977

Maj. John S. Martin   19 Jan. 1977-17 Aug. 1977

LtCol. Floyd C. Lewis   18 Aug. 1977-01 Aug. 1978

LtCol. Donald E. P. Miller   02 Aug. 1978-20 June 1979

LtCol. Robert J. Sheehan   21 June 1979-02 Dec. 1979

LtCol. Donnie C. Evans   03 Dec.1979-31 Dec. 1980