In August 1966 we were with the advance party HMM-165 sent to Ky
Ha, Vietnam; the rest of the squadron came over on a carrier
with the aircraft and equipment.
Our flight crews flew with HMM-364 for combat familiarization.
HMM-364 were flying the Dogs, UH-34D. Our first wounded was hit
in the gluteus maximus making a perfect clean shot through one
side. The aircraft dropped him a "B" Med. before landing at the
fuel pits.
This was heard on the radio in the line tent, so a bunch of his
buddies ran over to the Medical battalion to see him. One had a
Polaroid camera and took a picture of him lying on his stomach,
stark naked, and the little round hole clearly visible. He was
not a happy Marine.
The friends returned to the line shack (tent) and put the photo
on the Bulletin Board. Meanwhile the Dog was finished refueling,
taxied to the tie down spot. The crew chief excitedly came
running in with the news of the wounded buddy. Great boredom was
feigned as it was pointed out as being old news because there it
was on the Bulletin Board!
The look on the crew chief's face was priceless.
Semper Fi,
Thomas Mix
Capt. USMC ret.