Hmm-561

[wdcurry]

My husband was selected to stand up/command the new osprey squadron on the west coast. This squadron was formally known as HMM-561 and will now be VMM-561. I am looking to find anyone with history of this past squadron, men/women who were assigned to it, photos of those that served with it, memorabalia, etc. Please if anyone has any information regarding this squadron...please contact me!
thank you!

[bjsigman]

Mrs. Curry,
I was in HMM-561 for a short tour from March to June 1969. It was assigned to MAG-56 at MCAF(H) Santa Ana, CA. Attached is a link to Tom Denton's website that has a brief history of the squadron and its Commanding Officers. Good luck to you and your husband,
Semper Fi
BJ Sigman


http://www.geocities.com/hma1369/561.html

[wdcurry]

Mr. Sigman,
Thank you for replying to my 'email'. Can you tell us what the squadron name & or call sign was? Also is there a description of the patch itself or the meaning behind the symbology?
Thanks again for your help!
Donna Curry

[hma1369]

Mrs Curry, here's the squadron patch. I believe the horse refers to the UH-34D's designation as the "Seahorse". I have several scans of aircraft, patches, etc people have sent me, as well as the official "History" sent to HQMC when the squadron deactivated. I'll try to put it all together into something I can email.

[wdcurry]

Thank you so much.....
If it would be better, I can also exchange addresses with you and you can send it to me via snail mail.
I really appreciate this.
We figured that the horse symbolized the "sea horse name", but we were also wondering about the lightening bolts and the leaf vines, & split of s.....

[wdcurry]

I also was looking to see if there were any photos of the guys back then who were apart of this squadron....looking for old time photos.....'working' photos....etc....
thanks all!

[hma1369]

We figured that the horse symbolized the "sea horse name", but we were also wondering about the lightening bolts and the leaf vines, & split of s.....

The original request for approval of the HMM-561 insignia (dtd 4 Nov 1968) included a drawing of the proposed insignia but there aren't any details about the design. The Chief of Naval Operations approved the design on 19 Dec 68. The size of the patch had to conform with regulations, and specified that "the knight is reversed to face the observer's left which, according to the principles of heraldry, is the direction of the enemy." VMM-264's black knight also faces the "wrong" way.

I'm guessing that the two background is supposed to represent day/night capability, or maybe the sky and sea. VMM-263 has the same thing. The lightning bolts may refer to striking power or strength. I don't know what the branches represent, but H&MS-56 also had them.

[Allyn Hinton]

I think the the branches represent VICTORY, or PEACE. On the U.S. Seal the eagle hold arrows for strength in conflict, and branches for our desire for peace.

[PGregoire]

Donna,

I was a pilot in 561 from May '68 to April '69. I don't recall that we ever took a squadron photo while I was there. Also, I don't have any photos from that time but I remember some of the squadron pilots from those days. Some of them may have some pictures. Names that pop into mind are Al "Bravo" Thomas, Bob Feeney, JR Aucella, Ev Haymore, Gary Connelly, Ron "the Prince" Sabin, Thatch Sigler, George O'Connell and our CO, Wayne "Champagne Andy" Anderson. Haymore, Connelly and Sabin are deceased but I believe the rest are still around and you may be able to contact them through Popasmoke. Good luck in your search!

Paul Gregoire

[yankeepapa9]

I joined the squadron in December of 1967. I had just returned from Viet Nam. The squadron was made up of 4 sections. The first 3 were in training to go overseas. The fourth section was comprised of crewchiefs who were in the process of being released from service (short timers) or who had less than 6 months of active duty remaining.

The primary duty of section 4 was to train the mechanics in the other sections to become crewchiefs. We rode along on all the flights to observe the mechanics as they went through the various duties that they might have to perform, giving advice. Many learned how to go to the tool room and check out 1 gallon of prop wash and such. The old timers will remember as they probably had to endure the same procedures.

I don't have any pictures from that time frame--sorry.

Semper Fi

Charlie

[hma1369]

I posted several HMM-561 pics on the 'Visions' page. These were scans that were sent to me several years ago. They've been moved from computer to computer over the years, and I no longer have the names of who sent them, so if anybody can claim them let me know.