Marine Helicopter Squadron 1

1966-1969 My father, MAJ Manuel O’ Martinez, served as the Presidential Command Pilot for President Lyndon B. Johnson. He flew the Presidential Helicopter for three years. When Mr. Nixon was elected, he was sent to New York City to fly the President-elect on his many trips prior to inauguration. In December of 1967, my father was sent to pick up the ex-president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Before he left, a White House Staffer ran out and said that President Eisenhower did not want to be known as "ex-president" that he wanted to be known as the "retired 5-star General" he was in WWII. So, the crew scrambled to remove the Presidential Seal and replace it with a 5-star General placard. In the last picture ever taken of President Eisenhower in Marine 1, you will note there is a five-star placard in the place of the Presidential Seal. My father flew President Eisenhower on his trip to California but when it was time to bring him back to Washington, he was informed that Eisenhower was ill and had been taken to the hospital. Later, after a long illness, Eisenhower died. My father was the last one to fly President Eisenhower in Marine 1. -

1971-1975, HMX also flew three SH-3G. One of which MX-15 stood alert duty at Anacostia as the White aircraft.Two VH-3A's Gold and red A/C and the SH-3G white aircraft. This was the only green side A/C to be assigned to the white side (Presidential). The A/C remained in its normal Marine green paint with troop seats inside. While this aircraft was assigned to Anacostia another SH-3G was pickup from the Navy at NAS Norfolk. There are pictures of MX-15 on this site at Quantico. When the VH-3ds went in service, the SH-3G'S went back to the navy. I was Crew Chief on MX-15 on both the green side and white side. Probably the only crew chief at HMX that can say that. MX-15, 148043 is now at the air museum at the old NAS Barbers Point Hawaii. Bill Kennedy, SGT USMC 1972-1976.

That Sperry auto pilot was being tested in late 1973 or early 1974 in MX16 a SH3G. We had an in flight fire with that project during a major check flight. I was crew chief but that was not my aircraft. Ssgt Ron Perez, our section chief was also aboard. Don't remember the pilots. None of us worked on that project and did not know how to turn it off. It was mounted on wood, on the magnesium floor above the forward fuel tank. We were over the middle of the Potomac when it caught fire. Cut every wire with my right hand and sprayed the Co2 extinguisher with my left. Got the fire out. We landed on mat 2 next to the runway. After the smoke cleared everything was working OK so we finished the check flight. MX 16 was a jinxed A/C. Imiss the old Corps. Bill Kennedy, Sgt, 72-76.

1982-1986 I served with HMX-1 under COs Johnston, Dake, and Peasley. I came across this article recently and recognized many of the names of the old-salts who are contributors. I was a Cobra pilot (7565) in the Fleet so got the opportunity to fly these hybrid aircraft frequently, both white and green tops. I checked my flight logbooks and I accumulated many hours in all the BUNOs listed (551-557) except 555 which I believe was hard down or unavailable at the time. I flew with Navy Secretary Lehman on many occasions as his co-pilot in the all-green version. He was a USNR Naval Flight Officer (A-6 BN) and after assuming office went to Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator so he was able to accumulate first-pilot time. I would fly from MCAF Quantico to the Pentagon VIP pad to pick him up with my Crew Chief in the left seat, Same for the return trip after the lift. The Squadron had installed a Sperry Flight Director in these helicopters which allowed for a coupled approach (azimuth and altitude) down to a hands-off 50' level-off in centerline. Really an amazing feature for a USMC helo at the time and it worked well. Lots of good memories from my tour with the Squadron. Semper Fi to all current, past and future HMX-1 Squadron members.