Category: MAW

VMA332

In response to Cpl. C.E. Walters 6441, I was in VMA332 first time around in 1968 when we flew the A-4’s.  In July of ‘68 we started the transition to the A-6 and became VMA(AW)332. Please enjoy the photo of the last known squadron picture of VMA332 and the photo of the Avionics Shop.  After attending A-6 schools either at Oceana, VA, or Whidbey Island,Wa, most of us ended up with VMA(AW)533 at Chu Lai in early ‘69, Then on to Iwakuni, Japan in late “69-‘70. We are having a reunion of 533 Marines this May 20-22 in Vegas. read more

Not the “K-bay” of old

I can commiserate with SSG Mike England about his attempts to visit K-Bay last November.  I was assigned to the Station Operations and Maintenance Squadron (SOMS) from 74-77 and finally made it back to Hawaii and K-Bay while on a business trip in 2008.  I retired in '93 so I was able to show my ID and gain access to the Base.  The Base has changed so much – new streets build, old street gone – that I literally got lost trying to find our old buildings, which by the way, once located were now a pile of rubble.  New streets, new barracks, all new housing, gorgeous PX and Commissary complex (Hey Mike, remember the old Quonset hut Commissary that was down near the airfield?  It's history now).    Of course, all my beloved F-4 Phantoms were long gone, replaced by rows of parked Navy P3s left over from when NAS Barbers Point closed.  Sorry Mike, you shoulda clicked your heels together earlier.  There's no place like home, there's no place like home.  Here's a couple of "wuz" and "is" shots of K-Bay for you from an old "Winger".   Jeff Howards Sgt, SOMS/MCAS K-Bay 74-77

Number 6 on the flight line at Phu Bai

I read the story in the Jan. 13 issue about the UH34D resupply of the Rock Pile in Oct. of 1966. The number on the tail looks like number 6. I was flight crew on the number 6 during Oct. of 1966 with HMM161 based at Hue Phu Bai. That might be me in the door of the plane sense there were only two us who flew with the number 6 and we were both on the plane. I can remember several times resupplying the Rock Pile. We could only get one wheel on a small platform with our tail sticking over the side of the mountain, and the wind blowing over the top made it difficult to stay there very long. Here is a picture of the number 6 on the flight line at Phu Bai.    Thanks, T L Smith

Black Knights

Black Knights

SGT. Grit,

Thank you for providing such an excellent site for Marines who have served and are serving. As it is shown in your site, no one knows what it means to be a Marine except for those of us who have served. I have friends who have been in all of the other services, and none of them displays the pride that a Marine former or otherwise displays when talking of the Corps. I am reminded of a quote I read from a Marine recruit who said “You can be in the Navy/Army or Air Force but you are a Marine.” Indicating our distinction of being referred to by the name of our branch of service. read more

Jack Wardell Petit

Jack Wardell Petit

I also had a relative that was a member of VMF 215, and enjoyed the letter on your web page from Mr. Aldrich. My relative was named Jack Petit and was unfortunately Missing in Action in WWII. I recently created this web page in his honor. Maybe it will give you some insight to what things were like for the Corsair pilots in WWII. I am sure he must have know Mr. Aldrich. I think I have a picture of him on the website I created for Jack Petit. I am not expert or great historian, this is just what I gathered from different sources. Anyway, here it is. read more

Carrier Landing Practice On Iwo Jima

Carrier Landing Practice On Iwo Jima

The attached picture was taken during our last day of carrier landing practice on Iwo Jima, 15 Janauary 2003. The flag flying proudly atop Mt Suribachi and adjacent to the American Memorial is “Old Glory,” the very same “Old Glory” that has been touring America’s Freedom Road since 1999. read more