Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361

May60 to Sep64 I Flew the H-34 with HMM-361. We were stationed at MCAF Santa Ana until Sep63 when we deployed to Da Nang RVN. We were in country until Feb64. I also flew the H-34 while I was with HMX-1 in Quantico VA from Sep64 to about May65. I flew the H-34 with the USMCR at Los Alamitos CA in 1967 and 1968. Tom Coughlin, Major USMCR Retired

* 1967/68 UH-34D/UH-34J Marble Mtn. Air Facility Da Nang, Vietnam- Utilized TarBush as call sign (ie TarBush18)
* Jul67 relocated to Dong Ha Combat Base near DMZ relieving HMM-363, that had considerable combat damage. HMM-361 preformed combat missions all over northern I Corps TAOR including LeatherNeck Square, rockpile Ka Sanh, Hills 881-881s, 861, Charlie 2, cam lo and all other lzs where Marine tread.
* 3 Sept.67 Dong Ha combat base were the helio area and ammo dump were struck w/arty (152mm) 120mm rockets and God and the NVA only knew, destroying several helos enlisted quarters and mess hall. Unit was rendered combat unqualified and personnel air lifted by CH-53s to MMAF DaNang. There reorganized and refitted to continue combat operations supporting Marine ground units in DMZ TAOR.
* Dec67 deployed to USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) for operations w/ Marine Combat Team 2/4. As a SGT. combat crew chief YN-18 serving 1/67 thru 1/68. R.J. COPE. H-34s were very reliable and reasonably to maintain considering the harsh environment of south east asia.