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I am a close childhood friend of Col. James A. McGinn's 4 kids. His daughter Kelly wants me to paint a picture of her Dad in action in Vietnam. However, she has little information. (I paint Military photos; primarly action and squad snapshots) Quantico needs to know what squad he was in, they told me he was most likly in a VMO, since he was recon. and really the fastest and most accurate way to find info on the Col., is to contact you guys. I'm sure one of you guys know Jim McGinn... he's a great guy. The info. I currently have is that he most probably flew a UH 1E Slick Huey. It's not much, but it's a start. However, understanding the way the MC will change out a chopper in less than a day for another use.... well, I don't know how accurate this information will turn out to be. I don't know where he was in Vietnam, and it is of highest importance to me, that the mission, location, all personnel, and chopper are exact. If anyone has info on him, photos of his chopper, discription of his chopper, location of his missions or, squad information, that I can take to Quantico next week, it would be very helpful. However, if anyone has actual photos of him in action, or squad shots.... I would be ecstatic to see these and I know that his daughter would be overwhelmed. Kelly, his daughter, only has one photo of him in the MC, and it's a portrait shot. She doesn't have any idea where he flew, or info on the chopper he flew... she only knows he was recon. and he flew a Huey in Vietnam. Can you please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Tammy Johnson
Posted : 2004-02-21 10:16
Tammy,
LtCol James A. McGinn is listed as the Commanding Officer of HMM 165 from 20 Jul. 75 to 20 Jul. 76. I flew with HMM 165 1967-68 time frame when it was strictly H-46As, but I understand during the 75-76 time frame it was a composite squadron of 46s, hueys, and 53s.
Go to related links and check HMM-165; it has the commanding officers listed from the get go in Viet Nam to the present. Pretty good pictorial history and message board and a great picture of a flight of 4 "Knight" 46s over Ky Ha around 1966-67.
If I can help in any other way let me know. Our squadron locator Jim "Wizzy" Wissmer will be able to help get you some info about HMM-165.
Posted : 2004-02-21 14:15
I got hold of Tammy and let her know my cruise book has a few good pictures of Lt. Col. McGinn in it. I will make arrangements to get them to her. Semper Fi!
Posted : 2004-02-22 10:03
I served with a (at that time Major) J.A. McGinn in HML-367 in 68-69. We were based out of Phu Bai. He was the Officer in Charge of the slick detachment that was T.A.D. at Quang Tri in early 69. When we went back to Phu Bai he flew both slicks and guns. I know because I was his Crew/Chief on both types of aircraft at different times. There is a picture of him in the 69 Scarface cruisebook in the officers section. Also if you want to see what the slicks and gunships looked like click on Visions of Vietnam on this website and then click on HML-367, there are pictures of both inside and outside of those birds. The Major McGinn I knew was a big man with red hair, I saw him and talked to him at the 2002 reunion in Pensacola. Hope this is not to late and that it helps.
Semper Fi Sunny
Posted : 2004-02-25 11:26
