Please respond to LtCol McCarthy:
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Dear Popasmoke;
I'm a phrog guy, 10 yrs active duty (3yrs w/265 from '84-'88), now in the reserves flying the bull-dozers/grader's of MWSS 473. I'm about to take over as CO in a week. I'd heard a story from one of the old mechs at 265 about a squadron (364?) he seen in Vietnam, which had a motto painted aft of the 410 above the engines, that said "Give a Sh*t"
I wanted to use this story in my leadership statement to my new squadron, however; don't know if it's a true story or not- or even if I have the motto right, or if it was really the "Purple Foxes."
Any help would be appreciated. I tried to post this question on the forums, but was unable.
Thanks,
LtCol Mike "Thin" McCarthy, USMCR
mccarthymf@sbcglobal.net
Here is the patch that started in 1965 in HMM-364 while in ka ha and they were flying the UH-34D.
The Purple Fox HMM-364 and "give a * "was painted on the tail cone of every helicopter.
I served as a Combat Aircewman on my fourth tour in Vietnam with HMM-364 in 1970, as a Sgt and we still had unofficial patches that showed the "Give A *" motto.
I was the HMM-364 Aircraft Maintenance Chief as a MSgt in Hawaii in 1985 when we re activated the Squadron and we unofficially used the "Give A ****" whenever we could get away with it. Many of the senior SNCOs were previous young enlisted Purple Foxes from NAM that had jumped at the chance to again be able to serve as Purple Foxes. We voluntarily PCS from stateside to Hawaii and were all very PROUD to be back with HMM-364.
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
There were a lot of different unofficial "GIVE A ****" patches
here is one of mine
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
The history of the phrase and it's use on squadron aircraft and patches is related on the Purple Fox Website at: