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MSgt Richard M. Sasnett, 80, of Slidell, LA passed away on 18 JAN 2026. After completing basic training and technical schools he joined Marine Observation Squadron Six (VMO-6) at Camp Pendleton as an avionics technician in early 1964. In August, the entire squadron with UH-1E helicopters and personnel went aboard the USS Princeton and landed in Vietnam near Chu Lai. He was then assigned to the "Provisional Rifle Company." After 90 days he was back in the squadron and then reassigned to VMO-2 in Marble Mountain near Da Nang. There he earned his combat aircrew wings and several air metals as an aircraft door gunner.
In 1968 he began a second tour in Vietnam and was assigned to HML-367 with assigned UH-1Es stationed at Phu Bai and flew with them as a door gunner. After several months the squadron transitioned to the AH-1J Cobra and Sasnett was transferred to a newly activated Huey squadron, HML-167 at Marble Mountain. When he arrived the squadron lacked sufficient numbers of crew chiefs and since he was qualified he flew with them until his tour was completed. Overall he had over 200 missions and earned eleven Air Metals.
In 1975 he was assigned to HMM-165 a CH-46 Squadron in Okinawa when it was tasked to support the recovery of personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. As a door gunner for the evacuation, he participated in the last flights of CH-46's to leave the embassy roof and flew the passengers to the USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of Operation Frequent Wind. For his efforts, he was awarded a single mission air metal.
After retiring from the Corps, he was a member of the New Orleans Police Department until achieving full retirement.
Posted : 2026-02-05 04:03
