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HMLA-369 celebrated its 40th anniversary on 1 Apr in style while deployed in OEF. After we return to CONUS we have planned an anniversary celebration on 22 June to commemorate 40 years of
excellence and give us all an excuse to get together to tell stories and share a drink. Attached are the registration form and anniversary poster.

--The golf tournament will be held at Camp Pendleton's Memorial Golf Course.

Registration begins at 0700. Shotgun start will be at 0750.

A social will be held at the Ranch House beginning at 1700. Completed registration forms can be mailed to the address on the form or e-mailed to our anniversary e-mail at Gunfighteranniversary@gmail.com

Any questions about the event can be sent to me, our two motivated S-5 officers on the cc line, or to the anniversary gmail account. Please pass this information along to any former Gunfighters
or friends of the Gunfighters who you think may be interested. We look forward to seeing you in June.

I have attached the link to our OEF ceremony below.
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/86482/g...brate-40-years

Gunfighters Rule,

Maj C. J. "Thumper" Martin, USMC

HMLA-369

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Is there a place on popasmoke or elsewhere that tracks aircraft accidents and those who were lost in them? I was assigned to MARTD NAS Alameda from Feb 1971 thru June 1975 as an active duty member of the I&I Staff. The reserve squadrons assigned at that time were VMA-133 flying A4C Skyhawks and HMH-769 flying CH-53A Sea Stallions.

The frst week of July in 1974, I was a Corporal, and the reservists of HMH-769 were sent TAD for training at NAS Fallon, Nevada. On 26 July 1974, a CH-53A departed Fallon enroute to our home base at NAS Alameda, and broke apart mid-air after slinging its blades as a result of a "Jesus" nut failure near a roadside rest stop outside of Vallejo, CA, killing all 6 Marines onboard the aircraft. Cpl. McHunter Lee Tipton was one of those who died, a fantastic Marine and friend of mine, after replacing me on the flight at the last minute before take-off. For 38 years, I have woke up every day and thought of the first six Marines, and the one who gave me my life... I do not recall the bureau number of the aircraft, but I believe the side number was 483.

Over the years, I participated in two other aircraft accident investigations (as a documentary photographer) and shortly after the Storm (during April 1992) I retired after 22 years service as a Gunnery Sergeant. If there is a place online to honor these Marines, I have the names (both active duty and reservist), dates and locations. SEMPER FI.

My purpose in this life is not to be carried to the grave in a beautifully well preserved body with no nicks and dings; but to skid in sideways at 100+ miles an hour, slam worn out by the good things I've tried to accomplish and screaming "HOLY SMOKES!! WHAT A RIDE!! 'Nuf sed.

Roger D. "Doc" Smith
Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (Ret.)

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