TAD Gunners

Larry, I can't speak for the 03's, but when I was the CO of Marine Wing Facilities Squadron-1 at DaNang in 1970, I sent two Admin Clerks and one
Motor Transport driver TAD to Mag-16 for 30 days to be gunners. As I recall at that time, it was not unusual for non-flying personnel in the wing to do that. These troops joined the Marine Corps to fight and that was the only way for them to do it. They were good Marines and returned to their desk jobs and truck after the TAD period very happy for their experiences and did their jobs very well.

HAMSTERS & 03 Door Gunners

Both HMM-161 and 262 used Hamsters and MABS folks and I recall a few 03's as door gunners in the spring of 1969, Casualties were firghtfull.

Now as I recall---- a cook from the messhall at PMAG-39, who was disliked intensely because he made peoples lives miserable on mess duty, was a single casualty (.50 Cal through his chest) while serving as a door gunner with HMM -161 in Spring 1969.

Tom Constantine
VMO-6 68-69

TAD Gunners

There were personnel with 03 MOS's who did fly as gunners in my Squadron. Further, my brother was a grunt with C/1/26 and his CO sent him TAD to HMH-462 for aperiod of 7 days, or however long it took him to fly a minimum of 20 missions, in January 1969. His unit was based out of DaNang at the time and he came up to Phu Bai and flew 25 or so missions and was presented his Combat Aircrew Wings by the CO before returning to DaNang!
He was assigned to HMX after his Nam tour and flew on the Presidential Helicopters for the remainder of his enlistment, (about 2 and a half years). He said that some of the people there atr HMX questioned his wearing of the wings but he had the paperwork to show them that he had earned them.

Duke Dearing
HMH-462 1968-69

VMO-6 Door Gunners

I was a Crew Chief in VMO-6 in '67, beginning in Ky Ha and ending in Quang Tri. Our squadron was real good about using anyone attached to the Wing as a Door Gunner, if only to get their wings. I was also the NATOPS NCO, so it was up to me to train these Gunners. Some were incredible, others were a little dicey...but they were all Marines.
I may very well owe my life, if not brig time to one of these guys. We had the whole squadron out for a big mission out in the Valley...I really don't remember the operation, we had come back to Dong Ha to refuel, we circled while the 46s sat down and got a drink, when they left, it was time for the Guns to come down, I was the first in the pits. I had a brand new 540 model. That means the fuel cell was much higher than the 240 model. I stood on the gun rack, as I unscrewed the fuel cell cover, like I would my '57, stuck the nozzel in, and pulled the trigger. This is when I knew beyond a doubt, not only was there a GOD, but he was looking down on me. My Gunner that day was the squadron refuel driver, he was standing to the side, the rotors were turning, and he was attentive.
The guy in the pits forgot to turn down the fuel pressure, from the 46s, that 2" nozzle shot out of the cell and as I fought to gain control of the high pressure fuel shooting out of the nozzle, the fuel shot up into the rotors, the rotors then retuned the favor and push all that fuel back down, onto me and into the intake of that awesome jet engine...the next thing I knew I was blown off the gun rack and it was really bright all around me. My brand new bird was on fire, I was on fire, everything was on fire...that Gunner was so cool and acted so routine, he pulled me out and started spraying me and brand new Huey. I ran to the front of the plane, the pilots were blissfully discussing whatever pilots discuss, in the pits........I think when they saw the fire on my flight suit and how charcoal the rest of me was, they took off.....for the Z....as soon as the flames went up, so did every Gunship that had come down for a drink. It got real windy.
Because of that Gunner he saved my bird and me. When the fire was out and all was back to normal, the CO landed and came over to me...I was black all over and really exhausted....he says to me, "Where are your Pilots", I looked around, couldn't find them...the he turned to me and said, "Turn that damn aircraft off", that is when it dawned on me, the rotors were still turning.
Because the squadron let the support guys be gunners, the only damage done that day was to the paint job and my pride.....which the CO was sure would be mended by a couple of years of confinement........it didn't happen and everyone made friends.......but I would sure love to know who that gunner was.........
Rick Ault

VMO-6 Gunners

Though I was not there, I remember this particular incident. The gunner may have been James Griffen. He was an 03, that transfered to the squadron from 7th Marines. The deal was he extended his tour six months so that he could fly as a gunner. Officially, he was assigned to the motor pool. I transfered to VMO-6 motor pool from MABS. The understanding was that everyone in the flying squadrons got to fly.

I did my tour with HMM-361 in country in 1965/1966. I recall a few guys coming over from H&MS-16 to fly as gunners with the squadron. Not to say it didn't happen, but other then that, I don't recall any others flying with us, except the Docs of course.

SEMPI FI,

Ernie Needham