 | "SEMPER FIDELIS" "He Ain"t Heavy , He"s My Brother!"
All Popasmoke Aircrews saw this scene over and over again. No mater how Dangerous it was, no matter how exhausted they were, Popasmoke Aircrews, Ground Marines & Navy Corpsman always assisted each other to help make the MEDEVAC happen. You might say, we have experienced "SEMPER FIDELIS" first hand. Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, HMM-165s Boeing Tech Rep & Popasmoke member.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |
 | CON THIEN & THE MUD!
Anyone that was there remembers the MUD! This is a great UPI photo showing a MEDEVAC being brought out to the Helicopter LZ.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |
 | Med Evac Vietnam TET 68
Every Squadron saw a lot of this while flying Med Evac in Nam.
It was an everyday thing in the Spring of 1968 ( TET 68)
It was just something we all got used to.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |
 | U S Marine & Native American Robert Greenwood MEDEVACed
The wounded were treated with great care at Khe Sanh Base. Most MEDEVACS got out within 24 hours.The members of POPASMOKE can be very proud of their "Brother Helicopter Crews" for the risks taken to accomplish those MEDEVACS.,
U S Marine & Native American Robert Greenwood , a member of the Chickasaw tribe is Medevaced on 22 February 1968 from Khe Sanh.
Robert was serving with delta Company 1/9, he had been wounded previously on 14 Feb and was eventually Medevaced to the states spending 8 months recuperating from his wounds.Robert was Honorably Discharged as a CPL in 1970, he now resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma..
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |
 | Hue Tet 68 too many MEDEVACS
Tet 68 caused us all to see too many of our "Brother Marines" in pain from wounds recieved while in direct combat with the NVA. Hue was just awful with the type of house to house , street by street, one wall to another fighting. It was strange for helicopter aircrew as we could be in Khe Sanh and Hue on the same day. Both battles were equally fierce but completely different. Khe Sanh and its Hills were mostly defensive while Hue was all offensive.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |
 | Medevac
An H-34 from HMM-361 sits in an LZ awaiting the boarding of a wounded Marine. The picture was taken in early "67.
Posted by Roger Herman on 2010-06-29 |
 | AH-1G COBRA MEDEVAC DEC 69 & again Jan 70
Capt. Roger Henry, 1stLt Dave Cummings (LTCOL USMC Ret , Dave died while on Active duty of a heart attack) and 1stLt Toby Gritz( KIA 700325) were involved in the two Cobra Medevacs in Vietnam. Story and photos from HML-367 SCARFACE 1970 yearbook, PG 48.
I know who that marine was that was wounded on December 28, it was Sgt. Esquievel from M 3/7 and 1st platoon. I was in that unit and platoon, he was my platoon sgt. I had left on RR just 3 days prior to that incedent and I heard about it when I got back. Cpl. Rios, D. Jr. "Class of '69" Domingo Rios driosjr@suddenlink.net
On that particular day, Capt. Henry was giving 1/Lt. Cummings a HAC check. Therefore, Capt. Henry was in the front seat of their cobra. I was the PIC on the chase cobra. We had finished up covering a resupply mission out of LZ Baldy and were making our way back home when we heard about the marine in need of a medivac. The complete story of this rescue was told in a VHPA article a number of years ago. Wes Keith "Hostage 14" // Wes Keith [pastorwdk@cyberback.com]
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-28 |
 | Medevac Khe Sanh "That Red Clay!"
Official USMC photo. This photo is without notes, however I have no trouble placing it. The" Red Clay" that covered everyones boots and 782 gear, as well as those green surrounding hills are evident in this photo.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-27 |
 | Emergency Medevac Photo #5
#5 in the series of 6 photos, see #1 for description. The attitude of the aircraft has abruptly changed, swinging the medevac on a bit of a wild ride. Taking fire?
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-04-17 |
 | MEDEVAC M-60 TOO HOT to work!
When you are sitting in the Medevac zone and the M60 machine gunner is not surppressing the incoming enemy fire because he has burnt up his M60 barrel, that is a "HOT" zone.Kind of gives you the Pucker Factor feeling. Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, Popasmoke member.
Posted by Admin on 2010-04-07 |
 | Emergency Medevac Photo #2
#2 in the series of 6 photos, see #1 for description. This was the cover photo for the VHPA's 2003 calendar
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-04-01 |
 | HUE TET 68 Radio Operator Calls Medevac
Good photo of a radio operator calling in a Medevac.
As you can see from the beard there was no time to shave in HUE durring TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-25 |
 | HMM-363s YZ-67 MEDEVAC
YZ-67 lands with MEDEVACS at the NSA STATION HOSPITAL, MARBLE MOUNTAIN, DANANG The NSA was just off the beach and treated over 21,000 wounded in 4 years (65-70)
Photo by Doc Rockett,
Doc served as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (Veteran) at NSAH, Danang, Vietnam from August 1967 to August 1968.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-23 |
 | Emergency Medevac Photo #6 of 6
#6 in the series of 6, see #1 for description. Almost in. This photo was also used in the VHPA's June 2003 calendar spread.
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-03-23 |
 | USMC Tank " Medevac Cover Fire" Hue TET 68
This USMC Tank is providing cover fire for Marines and Navy Corpsman moving wounded Marines to the Medevac zone. Thank GOD for that Tank.
Comment by: John Wear on Sep 23, 2007 01:57 PM
This is either Yankee 5-1 or Yankee 5-2. One of the two H&S Co, 3rd Tank Bn gun tanks that got caught up in the early fight to free the city of Hue during Tet of 1968. S/F John Wear Sgt 3rd Tanks RVN 1968 - 1969 New Hope, PA
Comment by: Dennis Freed on Feb 18, 2009 07:28 PM
This tank was about 40 yards ahead of us parked in front of a Citadel gate leading from the palace grounds and across a moat bridge to the business district along the Perfume River. The tank was taking rocket fire from the Palace while providing Lima 3/5 with cover fire during the assault on the Thoung Thu Gate. They were firing rokets from a second floor window. The window was dark, then suddenly lit up as the rocket fired. You could see it coming out the window at the tank. I fired my M79 at the window but was unable to put a round through the window. Too far. This happened moments after Falk and Allison were KIA. This tank crew had big ones. I saw the tank hit at least twice and they stayed put covering our butts.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-09 |
 | MEDEVAC " OUR MEMORIES"
All POPASMOKE MEDEVAC Aircrews shared the same sad memories of those poor wounded BROTHERS as we shared their pain. We also witnessed MANKIND at his very best. Marines and Navy Corpsman were seen time and time again placing themselves in harms way to assist the wounded to safety. We often witnessed these men placing themselves in certain danger just to offer comfort to a dying BROTHER. YES! These were the worst of times, but also in witnessing these compassionate moments, they were also the best of times. Combat Marines experienced these emotional moments over and over again (TOO OFTEN).
Posted by Admin on 2009-09-30 |
 | MEDEVAC CREW ON THE MOVE
MEDEVAC CREW ON THE MOVE 1966 OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOS FROM 1966 Submitted by:Bob Carroll Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
I believe the pilot in the green Nomex flight suit is Capt. Rocco Valluzi, of HMM-263. The photo was probably taken in '66.
// Paul Gregoire [ponga92807@sbcglobal.net]
Comment by: Ernie Needham on Mar 5, 2006 04:57 PM
How strange after all this time, but I can still recall those MEDEVACS I flew as a relief crew chief in 1965/1966.
Ernie Needham, QC Chief HMM-361
Comment by: Russell M. Black on Sep 22, 2006 06:04 PM
The Pilot in this photo is absolutely Rocco Valluzi. He served with me in HMM-263 during 66-67, Marble Mtn. .......Russ Black Major USMC (RET)
Comment by: ronald luks on Oct 4, 2006 05:25 PM
I am the crew chief in the picture, second from left, it was a staged picture for the Marine Corps, the photographer went with us on a med evac a little later, swore he would never get on a chopper again.
Posted by Admin on 2008-11-28 |
 | YZ-62 HMM-363 68
YZ-62 HMM-363 on final to land for MEDIVAC around KHE SANH 1968
Posted by Admin on 2008-10-24 |
 | USS Sanctuary Vietnam 68
The USS Sanctuary Hospital ship was used a lot in 1968.
Many lives were saved by the Medical Crews of both the USS Sanctuary and the her sister ship the USS Repose.
Posted by Admin on 2008-05-22 |
 | MED E VAC 1968
This is a good DOD photo of a MED E VAC in 1968. Helicopters saved thousands of lives by getting the wounded to quality medical facilities within hours, sometimes even minutes of being wounded.
Posted by Admin on 2008-05-13 |
 | Jack Piddington gunner; Curtis King, crew chief on YL-1. Special medi-vac outfitted.
Posted by Curtis T King on 2008-04-28 |
 | Yes! UH-1E Hueys flew slick for MEDEVAC
Photo taken by Cpl. Gary Seaford, Bravo 1-12, is of a UH-1E Huey slick, flying a Medevac Mission in the hills north of Danang for F-2-3, 65-66.
Posted by Admin on 2008-02-15 |
 | MEDEVAC "This is the place!"
All Aircrews at Popasmoke will recognize this signal, many a BRAVE Marine risked his life to assist the Medevac Choppers to get into the correct zone. On many missions this was a huge help and all Aircrews really admired the courage of these Marines.
Posted by Admin on 2007-12-31 |
 | In flight with 9 of 24 litter positions filled; a C-130 waits in Da Nang.
In flight with 9 of 24 litter positions filled; a C-130 waits in Da Nang.
HMH-463, 1970
Submitted by: Steve Culver Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / JAN 2003
Posted by Admin on 2007-12-22 |
 | CON THIEN MEDEVAC HMM-363
As a Crew Chief on HMM-363s "Lucky Red Lions" UH-34Ds ( YZ-14 , (67-68), I pulled too many MEDEVACS like this one out of Con Thien. Con Thien was " HELL ON EARTH". See this Map for location of Con Thien, it was too close to the DMZ to hold! http://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=1889
Posted by Admin on 2007-10-31 |
 | UH-34 approaches the hospital ship Repose, April 1966
UH-34 approaches the hospital ship Repose, April 1966
OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOS FROM 1966
Submitted by:Bob Carroll
Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Posted by Admin on 2007-10-08 |
 | CH-46 Med Evac Vietnam
Great DOD photo of a CH-46 picking up a wounded Marine in Vietnam. Two Marines can be seen assisting the Wounded Marine while other Marines provide protection.
Posted by Admin on 2007-08-01 |
 | YL-1 with special configuration for medi-vac. Gunner seat over APU. Curtis King, crew chief.
Posted by Curtis T King on 2007-06-21 |
 | MED EVAC HMM-363 1967
Loading Med Evacs into a UH-34 was never easy. The grunts will tell you they prefered the CH-46s because loading the 34 required that the wounded marine be lifted UP and INTO the helicopter.
The crew then had to muscle the wounded around to best allow for the gunner to still have space to operate his M60. In the exteme heat of Vietnam this could be exhausting for a crew as well as the grunts.
Posted by Admin on 2007-04-12 |
 | Emergency Medevac Photo #3
#3 in the series of 6 photos, see #1 for description. This was the main photo for the VHPA's June 2003 calendar spread. The medevac is behind the boulder at the end of the hoist line.
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2007-03-21 |
 | Emergency Medevac Photo #1
This series of 6 photos were forwarded to me by the calendar editor of the VHPA (which I also belong to, vhpa.org) because I told him I may have been on that mission. It was an emergency medevac by HMM 265 in April 1968 southwest of DaNang, and photo #2 made the cover of the VHPA's 2003 calendar, with photos #3 and 6 as the June spread. The photos were taken by Cpl. DelVecchio of the 1st Mar Div's Photographic Services Section, so they're very good. DelVecchio's narative of the approach and hoist for the calendar write-up was quite interesting. He finishes by saying "...with sincere admiration for the job the helicopter crews did, and in memory of those who did not return, I'm glad to contribute these pictures to the VHPA for publication." --Fred Pratt, HMM 265
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2007-03-21 |
 | Emergency medevac Photo #4
#4 of the series of 6 photos, see #1 for description. The hoist seems to be going smoothly...
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2007-03-21 |
 | HMM-262 Medivac Vietnam
This is a DOD Photo of a HMM-262 Medivac mission in Vietnam 68.
We all saw this many too times!
Posted by Admin on 2007-01-27 |
 | Marine Corps Wounded WWII & VIETNAM
Here two photos show that no matter the war, WWII on left & Vietnam on right. Marine Corps wounded were always attended to by Navy Corpsman and thier BROTHER MARINES with loving care.
Posted by Admin on 2006-10-27 |
 | MEDEVAC under intense fire
This is what it looks like out there when the Unit requesting the Medevac is still in Enemy Contact and under fire! The patient Aircrews must just sit and wait while they get the Medevac to your Helicopter. These few seconds are the worst, you feel very vulnerable, it seems like an eternity in a HOT zone. All POPASMOKE mEDEVAC Crews have had this experience.
Posted by Admin on 2006-10-27 |
 | MEDEVAC "Always Interesting"
Every MEDEVAC mission was the same, and then again they were all different.
Posted by Admin on 2006-10-27 |
 | Wounded Marines from "I" Co. 7th Marines 1966
Two wounded Marines from "I" company 7th Marines await evacuation by Helicopter. The Marines engaged the NVA South of the Demilitarized Zone.
AP Wire photo 1966
Posted by Admin on 2006-10-27 |
 | reposehelopad
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Semper Fi...... "Doc" John Hackworth, Flight surgeon HML-167 Senior Medical Officer MMAF 1969. Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Posted by Admin on 2006-10-03 |
 | MEDEVAC s! POPASMOKE MEMBERS CAN BE VERY PROUD!
All POPASMOKE members assisted in some way in helping to make sure the MEDEVACs got done ASAP. Those that flew saw a lot of this, those in support roles can be very proud of the hard dedicated work they put in to keep the Aircraft flying.
Posted by Admin on 2006-05-28 |
 | 153347 Ch-46 HMM-364 1969
George, My log shows that I flew this CH46 on eight missions while with HMM-364 at Marble Mountain. My first flight was on 1/13/1969 and my last flight was on 7/28/1969. This was for total 30.4 hours of flight time, 2 night medivac and 6 resupply missions. Don’t know if this was the timeframe of your photo. Semper Fi, Bob Estrup
Submitter: Mike Velleux,
153347 was my plane from Oct.68 thru Feb.69.It was YK-22 until we moved to MMAF from Phu Bai in Dec.68.It's modex was then changed to YK-20.I have many memories of that old bird .many are good,but some aren't .She was,and will always be the love of my life.I wonder if she's still around.
I was copilot with Walt Wise on Jun 1, 1970 in this a/c. Walt was on his first official HAC hop if I am not mistaken. We put 6.8 hours on the a/c that day and had 17 landings. Three of those landings were on Highway 1, just because Walt always wanted to land on Highway 1. I won't say anymore, Walt. Semper fi, Pat Kenny, [swiftchuck@earthlink.net]
Posted by Admin on 2006-03-19 |
 | Kilo Company Medevac
From: "John Regal" , Saturday, November 26, 2005 12:39 PM
Photo of Kilo Company Medevac. I was he CO of Kilo Company, BLT 3/1. Photos were taken by Cpl Mal Wolfe, combat photographer assigned to the BLT., Semper Fi, John Regal
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2006-03-05 |
 | Medevac
This is a picture of a medevac mission from HMM-162, 1963.
Posted by Kelly Lea on 2006-03-05 |
 | Civilian Medevac HMM-363s LUCKY RED LIONS
Photo sent by S/Sgt Bob Adams "HABU" / 66-67 / 1stSgt USMC Retired [email]WeimAdams@cs.com[/email]
Posted by Admin on 2003-04-03 |
 | injured civilian
injured civilian
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2002-11-29 |
 | MEDEVAC
MEDEVAC
MISC 1969 MMAF/DANANG PHOTOS Submitted by:"DOC" Hackworth Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / NOV 2002
Posted by Admin on 2002-11-29 |
 | USS Tripoli helps with MARINE CORPS MEDEVACS
MARINE MEDEVACS are laid out on the Flight Deck of the USS Tripoli for further transport. Photo by Phillip Gutzman
Posted by Admin on 2002-10-19 |
 | MEDEVAC Khe Sanh TET 68
The Medevacs at Khe Sanh during the siege of TET 68 were always difficult. The numbers were usually too high for UH-34Ds to handle. Most Medevacs were done with CH-46s. I served as a UH-34D Crew Chief with HMM-363s LUCKY RED LIONS. I loved those old 34s, but it was obvious that the war had turned and the 34s were to small, too slow and underpowered for most of the tasks called for during TET 68. Oh we hung on and did an OUTSTANDING job, but the CH-46 a was badly needed for most missions.
Posted by Admin on 2002-09-19 |
 | Need more MEDEVAC HUE CITY TET 68
HMM-363 has been into this zone four times this morning for Emergency Medevacs. We have once again landed under heavy enemy fire with one of our " Lucky Red Lions" UH-34Ds. While we were in flight , 26th Marines have taken more seriously wounded and are calling for additional MEDEVACS. I pitty the Corpsman who must decide who goes with us now and who waits for the next helicopter. I remember these faces and seeing how old they looked from the stress they were all under. HUE CITY TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2002-09-01 |
 | HMM-363 MEDEVAC Covering Fire
A view from YZ-14 one of HMM-363s UH-34Ds of the " LUCKY RED LIONS" on a "MURRY MEDEVAC" Flight, TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2002-08-28 |
 | "MEDEVAC" 68
This is a USMC photo of Marines getting their Medevacs ready for transport to the A/C.
Posted by Admin on 2002-04-11 |
