Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Corya75;32165 wrote: Hi. I'm looking for anyone that may have known my uncle while in Vietnam. He was in HMH-463. He was in Vietnam from May '67- May '68. His name was Corporal Alan Mott. He started off as a JetHelMech and became a Crew Chief. He was killed in an auto accident in 1969 while he was at New River, NC. Just looking for anyone who may have known him! Thanks!
Cory

Cory! I pray that you will get some replies. JJ

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Cory,

I knew him and recall his pleasant demeanor. There is a pic of him in our
HMH-463 Cruise Book from '68 displaying that nice smile he always had.

Sorry to hear that he died in a car accident in New River in '69, there was
too much of that.

I got out of the Corps in August of '68, so I never knew that.

I don't know if he went over on the Tripoli with us, or was a replacement,
but I think the latter. That meant that he didn't rotate back to the states
with the bulk of the squadron in May of '68.

In the less than a month I spent at New River after leave and travel time,
there were at least two and maybe three bad car accidents at New River.

Fast cars and fast livin'. I recall a mangled wreck posted at the Lejeune
gate with a brutal sign, reminding everyone to drive safely. Something
in the tone of: "Your name here!". "Swooping" on a 72 hour pass was
the thing to do.

I recall one memorable trip to Easton Pennsylvania I made with Steve Lieb. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Swooping Was the Talk of thursday nights Field Days. So SO right Mike about to many lives ending so fast. I was there and remember the Front Gate too. Thinking back some years ago I saw that Death had taken a tow on me before NAM. It was these Car accidents and a like that sent some BIG question in my Mind. WHY????? here A Guy goes to Nam and was Bless just by getting back to the World. Then ALL hell lets lose in 1 short moment and they was GONE. I was with 264 and Marshall (Bob) was in this same accident that Corys uncle was In. Have a Good Day ,and YES I do Remember as Many other will too. JJ

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Thank you so much, Mike! Do you know if there is any way to get my hands on one of those Cruise Books? I'd love to see that picture. I'm glad to hear he was pleasant and always smiling. That sounds like what my mom has told me of him. She was pretty young when he was killed. I actually have a copy of his Service Record book and I do believe he was on the Tripoli. I'll have to double check. He did leave Vietnam in May 1968. He was then stationed at New River until his death. By the way, what is "swooping?"

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Cory,

"Swooping" was getting together with some fellow Marines from the area you were from and hauling butt home and back in a short time. I knew guys who swooped to Florida every weekend they didn't have the duty.

Semper Fi, Jim

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

We made the swoop to NJ almost every weekend from New River.

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Cory,

I don't know where to get another copy of the cruise book, but I am getting a
new printer today with my tax refund.

I need one to hook up to my iMAC. All of my 15 year old Canons will not work
with it.

The new printer should also have scanning capabilities and I'll post the pic here
and also send it to you.

I seem to recall now that Alan did go over with us on the Trip. I'll check my pics
of the voyage to see if he appears in them.

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

what is "swooping?"

Swooping down on "home" from whatever Marine base you happened to be stationed at....For me it was nearly every weekend from Memphis to Atlanta and then from New River to Atlanta.... Lotsa Marines slept on my Mom's fold out couch, from E-1 to O-3, still keep in touch with all of them that are still among the living! Lived for the SWOOP!! Hauled MANY, MANY Marines back and forth from Atlanta to LeJeune/New River/Cherry Point for $5. each, in my trusty '58 Impala Convertible or my '55 hdtp.

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Mike Amtower;32328 wrote:
The new printer should also have scanning capabilities and I'll post the pic here
and also send it to you.

I seem to recall now that Alan did go over with us on the Trip. I'll check my pics
of the voyage to see if he appears in them.

Mike, thank you so much! I would be forever grateful for any pictures you could find and scan. It would mean the world to myself and my mom.

Thanks everyone for the definition of 'swooping'! 😀

Re: HMH-463 Crew Chief

Cory,

Here is the one I can find from the cruise book.

I couldn't find him in the Tripoli cruise pics I have access to.

What you'll notice is the smile I remember.