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Topic starter
June 1964
UH-34Ds from HMM-162 were turned over to the VNAF by the Commanding Officer LtCol Oliver W. Curtis
Source: Marines and Helicopters 1962-1973
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
Posted : 2003-09-11 18:46
DANANG
The complete squadron of UH34s were turned over including tools etc & the Maintenance personnel was given training by the Marines. These Vietnamese mechs were very proud of being checked out by Marines & thought of themselves as honorary Marines!! SF PM
Posted : 2003-09-11 22:14
Topic starter
OUTSTANDING information Paul, Thanks!
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
Posted : 2003-09-11 22:39
BRAVO ZULU, PAUL
Posted : 2003-09-12 09:03
Although I was only a lowley Crew Chief, I was allowed to "fly" left seat from Ky Ha to Da Nang in the last 34 that flew in HMM364.There were two and I was in the last one to land.
Both birds were turned over to the RVN.That is where I got to meet that really good Vietnamese pilot. I can't think of his name just now. OFS has set in once again.
Oh!! His name was Cowboy, if my memory isn't totaly failing me.
Oh boy! More Ham 'n Muthas
Posted : 2003-09-14 18:14
VNAF Pilot Danang
I believe the pilot you refer to as "cowboy" might have been Capt Phouc. He was an outstanding stick!! One of my tasks was to go to Phan Thiet (Nouc Mam center) to recover an H34 shot down while spraying around an outpost. I didnt know what agent orange was at that time & we had to make emergency field repairs ( got the crap all over me). Than Capt Phouc and myself flew the bird back to Saigon with no instruments, Tachs , nothing just guess by ear what the rotor RPM etc was He is down in LA area, came over here after the war. He was a Col in charge of the special helicopter Gp later in the war. Good to hear from a Marine that was there at the beging of the VNAF H34 program. Did you know MSgt Stud Schmidt? Who were the Sr NCOs with you at that time?? SF PM
Posted : 2003-09-14 19:43
Topic starter
FYI
Photo of Cowboy here on Visions of Vietnam
https://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=645
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
Posted : 2003-09-14 20:22
PM,
I didn't really get to know a lot of the 364 troops. I was with the "advanced" group from 165 and most of the 364 guys were "getting out of Dodge" as quick as they could.
I and a few others were dual qualified (46s and 34s) so we were allowed to go over early and help out. I just wish we could have left early.... hehehe
The NCOs I remember were all from 165, as the Fox's were taking it easy and I can't blame them. We were all involved pretty much with Hastings hauling 2/5 (I think) out of Chu Lai into Indian Country and didn't get much time to interact.
Fly all day and Medivac all night.
Oh boy! More Ham 'n Muthas
Posted : 2003-09-14 21:57
Hi Paul.
I have a question for you and that is, do you know what became of Stud? He and I checked into HMX at the same time, summer of 1966. For whatever the reason Stud wasn't with us very long and was transfered to SOES, MCAS Quantico. He was just down the street, but I somehow lost track of him.
S/F
Ernie Needham
Posted : 2003-09-15 09:39
Stud
Stud Schmidt is retired in Tustin Ca. Will send you his PH etc . Have to go locate it. Last assignment I saw him on Active duty was at Okinawa MAG_16 The VMO forget which one, him and Smiley Burnett 1962. SF PM
Posted : 2003-09-15 16:41
I think "Cowboy" was Lt. Din. Ring a bell?
Lanny
Posted : 2003-10-23 02:52
I recall the VNAF H-34s across the field at Da Nang when we (HMM-361) arrived there during August of 1965. Paul, thank for the info. concerning Stud and Smiley. I can recall a deployment to Yuma when Smiley and I were members of HMM-363. Smiley really loved those five cent tacos he'd buy from the street vendors , down South.
S/F
Ernie Needham
Posted : 2003-10-23 09:29
Smiley
Our old car dealer!!! I was lucky to get to see him one more time while visiting an old friend GySgt Jack Cooper in Carlton Ga several years back. I woke up one morning and as I came into the living room there stood Smiley & his Grandson. They lived in a bordering state not sure Albama? He was in bad condition with heart problem (he had a bad time in the Marine Corps with overweight) When I returned home about 3 months later he had passed on. Jack passed on couple years later. My old Marine group sure is getting small!! Semper Fi PM
Posted : 2003-10-23 16:14
Topic starter
Posted : 2003-10-23 20:37
Smiley
Gee old memories....I brought a 1957 MGA roadster from him when I was with HMM-363 around the 1961 time frame......wonder what Marine in MCAF didn't buy one from him...HEE HEE
By the way it was a super car and brought it back to Ohio with me.
Semper Fi
Bruce
Posted : 2003-10-27 10:43
