Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 301

Mid68-Dec70, I was with HMHT-301. I was there when we lost a great team of Marines on a test flight 20mar69. A group of us stood guard over the crash site as volunteers overnight. Still have dreams about that time. We had some of the best pilots. Later I served with them in Vietnam in 1971

Sgt Thom. I also was at HMHT 301 when we lost one of are 53's in a crash in the orange groves. I also stood guard over night. Lost a good friend that day. I went to HMH 463 in Vietnam in 1971. Once again we lost a Great group of guys there when a 53D was shot down.

1965-70, My F-N-L, sergeant N. Flowers served in HMHT-301 and MHTG-30 from 2/1/65-10/12/70. He is haunted and plagued by memories of all events in Nam but one in particular makes him sob with sadness and anger. He suffered a massive stroke in 2008 that left him completely unable to communicate (can’t write, type or talk more than about 15 words). He tries so hard to tell us a story of one soldier in particular that he was trying to save while his helicopter was rescuing soldiers under heavy gunfire. From what I can understand he hand the soldier by the hand trying to lift him on board as the decision was made to take off and he couldn’t hold on to the soldier tight enough to get him on board. I know he sees the soldiers face and eyes every time he blinks his own. I try to remind him of how many fellow soldiers he helped save but it doesn’t matter, he can only think of the lives taken and lost. If anyone has any information that may help us yo understand his life and his stories better, please share them with us. He never spoke of Vietnam AT ALL before his stroke. He never let my husband touch a gun or knife. He was a wild and crazy, angry and fatherless boy when he left. We only ever knew him to be 100% sober, a devoted Christian and never spoke a curse word. We’re so thankful for all of you who served home and abroad. We know your time changed and affected you. We wish we knew more of his experience, his bravery, his anguish, and ultimately the stories that shaped the man we knew.

1973-76, PFC Rick Evans HMT-301, S1 Worked for Staff Sargent Cooper and Lt Robert E Walton Jr. I heard he was killed trying to rescue the Iranian hostages - I was stationed there when they filmed the Hindenburg with George C Scott.

1975-77, I was the supply officer for this unit. Good unit, very safe, trained many new pilots P.A. Petre Lt USMCR Aviation Supply Officer 3060

1979-80, worked in the S-3 section. Last 6 months of my enlistment as Ops Chief. Sgt R.L. BAYER

1980-81, I was there when we had a 53 fall from the sky into the water and the aircrew swam away to fly that aircraft again. SGT David A. Keck

1980-1984 QA/CDI served with SGT Keck and was on sight for the incident at Dana Point. I have a lot of great memory's this was a great squadron. I worked with some real pros and the best Commanding Officers COL A. C. Blades SGT J.T. Derwin USMC

Aug94 I was the GSE rep and plank owner when we stood up HMT-301 again. I remember walking into the hangar, we had 5 birds CH-53D models and only 8 of up shop NCOIC's. A lot of work for us to stand up the squadron from scratch but it was well worth it. We trained some GREAT pilots for the fleet. Sgt R.T. Czajkowski (Ski)USMC/6072

Hey Ski, This is O'Donnell. I remember taking my check ride with you. How you been? I have one of them boards too. Semper Fi!