Hmr/hmm 161

We've been trying to track down some of Korea brothers- hope that your notice/attention helps.

Chuck Songer 1967-68

kOREA

While repeating past imputs I served with Ernies Fixed wing Father 1947-1950 at Cherry Pt. Than with his uncle at VMO-6 in Korea 1953. Did fly to K-3 for General Court Martial of one of our VMO-6 individuals that went to sleep on guard duty. There were several Helicopters in and out of K-3 , H19s (HRS-1) from 161 & HO5S-1 from our VMO-6. Strange thing happened Years later not sure 1966 or 67 I was in Vietnam & visited an Army HU-i unit & there was the man that was Court Martialed from VMO-6 back in 1953. He had recieved 3 years in Portsmuth & a BCD, but was an Army MSgt. He saw me & took off before I could talk to him. Suspect he was under an assumed name but apparently had made good (small world). SF PM :confused: Sorry Ernie got your father & Uncle reversed ( All of you were certainly a Marine family to be proud of).

I was a crew cheif in HMR 161 53/55 and I do remember a few trips to K3 as well K14[Kimpo] We had HRS 1-2 and 3's at the time. I'm sure Charley Allen can remember going there also! I was at Ascom City for a short while and then up to Musan-ni[not sure about the spelling] Saw alot of Ho5's from VMO 6.

VMF-115 Korea

Yes, I sure remember Korea. Added Kim-chi to my diet. Can't ever find the original but here in Hawaii they make a fresh variety. Bland but full of memories.
In 52, I was a reserve MM3/C. Had two yrs of College on the GI bill with my WW11 buddies and when called back to active duty, qualified for flight school and was a Naval Cadet during the hot part of Korea. Finally made it to K-3, flying F9F-5's the summer of 54. Cold War was on. Assigned to VMF-115, we sat the hot pad, practiced air to air on the banner, and used up a lot of Ordnance practicing. Bennie Mann and Ernie Young, kept me out of trouble and Marion Carl had the banjo squadron across the runway. VMF-311 was a sister Squadron. Runway was pushed out through the rice paddies and had an, 'OOPS' sign on the drop off end. That snowy weather was a challenge. Also when you came into K-3 on IFR, GCA, the controller would tell you that you'd go off the screen as the foothills blended in with the aircraft. I would pull my stick up until I was back on screen and always above glide path. High and fast at night in a snow storm at K-3 is a vivid memory.
Wayne

Good thread............

Hope it stays alive. This part of our USMC history is disappearing quickly, much of it undocumented anywhere.

Just received an outstanding 25-minute slide show created by the daughter of a 1st ANGLICO Marine, Doug Runner. Trying to figure out how to get it running on the ANGLICO board (also vBulletin), but it would take lots of bandwidth.

Did any of you Korean War pilots work with ANGLICO, either FMF or 1st Signal Corps, whether with U.S. or Korean Marines? Sure would like to have some of that history.

Semper Fi,

Vance

Chosin - did you know..........

"Chosin" is actually the Japanese pronounciation. If you say "Battle of Chosin" to a Korean, few will understand you. Because the USMC used old Japanese maps until the end of the Korean War, we remembered it as the Chosin Reservoir.

"Jang-Jin" is the practical Korean pronounciation.

The source of this is a friend who is a ROK Army veteran.

Semper Fi,

Vance

Re: Korean War

Time to remember the "Police Action" again. I remember when Capt Armstrong left HMX-1 to become the 1st OIC of VMO-6 in Korea. He later was CO of HMX-1 than he was Mgen Armstrong. Sadly He passed on a few months back. I was at the than LTA where we were forming VMO-2 & watching HMR-161 ship out as the first Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron in combat. Have a photo of the first personnel in VMO-2 at that time.I was later in VMO-6 1953/1954 at A-9 Tongarii , 1st MarDiv. Semper Fidelis PM

Re: Korean War

Paul,
Thanks for keeping the rest of us informed, Paul! Your information/history lessons are priceless!!!

Re: Korean War

Pauls got a great memory I enjoy his comments. On this sight their are only 4 members from HMR 161 Korean era, Charley Allen , Art Tempelton, Rich Goode and myself. I've lost contact with Charley Allen. He was in bad health. This helo era[ HO5S and HRS] started it all for the Marine Corps and is slowly departing and their history is going with them. Sad.

Re: Korean War

Jack Ubel;33146 wrote: Pauls got a great memory I enjoy his comments. On this sight their are only 4 members from HMR 161 Korean era, Charley Allen , Art Tempelton, Rich Goode and myself. I've lost contact with Charley Allen. He was in bad health. This helo era[ HO5S and HRS] started it all for the Marine Corps and is slowly departing and their history is going with them. Sad.

I hear you loud and clear. I was with HMR 163 in 53-54. In Reno and we only had
three that showed up. Are you aware of the site on HRS helicopters created by Craig Thorson. He took on the task to commemorate the service of his dad who also was in HMR163 among others. His dad was a B-25 pilot in WW ll and transitioned to helos prior to the Korean War so was among the first to do so.

Stan H.

The old, the proud and sometimes profane. Semper Fi

Re: Korean War

pm3777;33131 wrote: Time to remember the "Police Action" again. I remember when Capt Armstrong left HMX-1 to become the 1st OIC of VMO-6 in Korea. He later was CO of HMX-1 than he was Mgen Armstrong. Sadly He passed on a few months back. I was at the than LTA where we were forming VMO-2 & watching HMR-161 ship out as the first Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron in combat. Have a photo of the first personnel in VMO-2 at that time.I was later in VMO-6 1953/1954 at A-9 Tongarii , 1st MarDiv. Semper Fidelis PM

When you mentioned MG Armstrong brought back memories. He was the XO of HMR 163 and a Major during 53-54. Great guy! If you have a chance look up the fantastic career of that man.

Stan H.

Re: Korean War

Yes I have been to the sight on the HRS helo. He has a great sight. I enjoyed looking at it. Thanks

Re: Korean War

Ernie mentioned SAR helicopters at K-6 and the only photo from my site which came to mind is this one of 127797 when it was assigned to MAMRON-12:

Jack, do you have Dick Goodes' current email? I've tried him for the past several months at his "grampsgoode" address and it comes back as undeliverable.

As always, if anyone has access to any HRS photographs which are not already on my site, I welcome their inclusion - just contact me via the site:

www.hrs-helicopter.com

Re: Korean War

I have lost contact with him and Charley Allen. There not responding to my emails. Sorry