VMA-224 Scrap Book
Chu Lai
Squadron Notes
Overview of Squadron Activities
Squadron Notes taken from Command Chronology Reports and various other sources.
Marine Attack Squadron 224, MAG 12, 1st MAW. July 1 - July 31 1966.
Location: MCAS Iwakuni, Japan July 1, 1966 to July 13, 1966.
MCEF Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, July13, 1966 to 31 July, 1966.
Organizational Data: Lieutenant Colonel John BROWNE, Commanding Officer.
Major Robert L. TALBERT, Executive Officer (July 1 - July 24, 1966)
Major Hugh N. LEVIN, Executive Officer (July 24 - July 31, 1966)
First Lieutenant Richard M. BLOOM, Administrative Officer (July 1 - July 18, 1966)
Captain Robert J. NEWMAN, Administrative Officer (July 18 - July 31, 1966)
Major Hugh N. LEVIN, Operations Officer, (July 1 - July 24, 1966)
Major Alfonso OSEGUERA, Operations Officer (July 24 - July 31, 1966)
First Lieutenant Barry A. RUDICILLIE, Intelligence Officer.
Captain Robert J. NEWMAN, Logistics Officer. (July 1 - July 18, 1966)
Captain Patrick H. RUPERTUS, Logistics Officer. (July 18 - July 31, 1966)
Captain Bruce R. BOOHER, Maintenance Officer.
Captain John M. KRETSINGER, Aviation Safety Officer.
Average Monthly Strength: 26 USMC Officers, 167 USMC Enlisted, 1 USN Officer, 1 USN Enlisted
Narrative Summary: July 16, 1966 VMA-224 completed movement from Iwakuni to Chu Lai, RVN. A gradual turnover lasting five days allowed VMA-224 to replace VMA-211 without any interuption in the MAG-12 overall operation.
Immediate goals were to familiarize all new pilots and re-familiarize previous tour pilots with the local area and MAG-12 operating procedures. All weather and night-flying procedures were extensively reviewed and practiced. Three new pilots who had never flown the A4 joined only one month prior to leaving Iwakuni, Japan, where they received a concentrated syllabus because of time limitations, have worked into the operation under combat conditions very smoothly. An additional 4 pilots, with previous A4 time, received one week prior to leaving Japan have had no problems operating under combat conditions.
VMA-224’s Provisional Rifle Company, Commanded by Captain Patrick RUPERTUS, has had two practice alerts since arriving at Chi Lai. The results were favorable and minor discrepancies in communications were corrected. Improvements in the defensive positions assigned our company have been completed.
One aircraft was lost in combat over North Vietnam on 21 July 1966. The pilot, Major Hugh N. LEVIN, was rescued only 30 minutes after he ejected over the Gulf of Tonkin. Prior to water entry, his position received fire from shore batteries until the remainder of his flight arrived and orbited overhead. A total of six rounds came in on Major LEVIN. He reported their range accuracy as perfect; fortunately they were off in azimuth by 100 yards.
The majority of this month’s missions were flown in support of Operation Hastings.
Personnel/Administration:
O3 July 66 Drop - 1st Lt. MAGNESS and 3 Enlisted to CONUS.
Joined – 1st Lt. FISCHER from CONUS.
O6 July 66 Joined – 1st Lt. DOWNING and Capt. KRETSINGER from CONUS.
1st Lt. MOCK from MABS 13.
SSgt. DACORTE promoted to present rank.
08 July 66 5 Officers and 21 Enlisted departed MCAS Iwakuni as Advance Party.
SSgt S.B. GAINES and R.H. LAYTON promoted to present rank.
09 July 66 Joined - MSgt DUKER from H&MS-13.
11 July 66 Joined – Captain RUPERTUS from the 1stBN, 4th Mar, 3MarDiv.
12 July 66 SSgt ROBINSON promoted to present rank.
13 July 66 The CO departed MCAS Iwakuni and arrived at Chu Lai, RVN with 1st plane load in connection with
troop movement and designation as part of MAG-12.
14 July 66 The 2nd plane load of 3 officers and 36 enlisted departed MCAS Iwakuni and arrived Chu Lai, RVN.
15 July 66 The 3rd plane load of 3 officers and 35 enlisted departed MCAS Iwakuni and arrived Chu Lai, RVN.
16 July 66 The last plane load of 7 officers and 34 enlisted departed MCAS Iwakuni and arrived Chu Lai, RVN.
This completed the troop movement.
20 July 66 Capt. TAYLOR and Capt. NELSON were promoted to present rank effective 21 July 66.
Major OSEGUERA promoted to present rank effective 21 June 66.
GySgt HICKS promoted to present rank.
Sgt AREHART from MWSG-17.
24 July 66 Major TALBERT transferred to CONUS in connection with emergency leave.
Major LEVIN took over as Executive Officer.
Joined - SSgt RODRIQUES from VMA-214.
27 July 66 Sgt R.C. LEWIS re-enlisted for a period of 6 years.
GySgt HERDEN, Career Advisory NCO attended Career Advisory Symposium.
30 July 66 Joined - Major C.L. PHILLIPS from H&MS-12 and departed the same date for TAD Mag-13 for a
refresher course for A4 aircraft.
31 July 66 Joined - Capt. W.R. GRIFFIN from 1stBN, 1stMar, 1stMarDiv.
Joined –PFC STOWE from CONUS.
Sgt C.F. SNODGRASS re-enlisted for a period of 2 years.
The following officers earned the Air Medal during the month of July:
Lt.Col. J. BROWNE 7th Award 1stLt. J.H. GEORGE 3rd Award
Maj. R. TALBERT 5th Award 1stLt. B.E. JOBE 4th Award
Maj. A. OSEGUERA 4th Award 1stLt. J.P. McCANN 2nd Award
Capt. J.M. KRETSINGER 1st Award 1stLt. E.L. NELMS 7th Award
Capt. T.G. TAYLOR 5th Award 1stLt. D.C. PUCKETT 8th Award
Capt. P.N. RUPERTUS 1st Award 1stLt. K.A. STRONG 3rd Award
Capt. T.D. NELSON 5th Award 1stLt. L.P. WILSON 1st Award
Capt. B.R. BOOHER 10th Award 1stLt. C.R. DOWNING 1st Award
1stLt. R.M. BLOOM 1st Award 1stLt. J.M. FISCHER 1st Award
Morale/Welfare: Squadron moralhas been eceptionally high since returning to Chu Lai.
Air Operations: VMA-224 pilots flew 558 sorties totaling 748 flight hours. 421 combat sorties for 584 hours were flown during the period 14 July - 31 July 1966. During this period 479,363 pounds of bombs, 66,720 pounds of napalm, 7 zuni rockets and 2,204 20mm rounds were delivered on assigned targets by Marine Attack Squadron 224. All six of the new pilots that joined VMA-224 in Iwakuni, Japan became fully combat qualified by the end of July. VMA-224 furnished 8 Air Defense Exercise sorties. Their pourpose was to act as target aircraft for our local Hawk Batteries.
Training Operations: Two, one hour, lectures were given to the Squadron Provisional Rifle Company. All hands were given a three hour intelligence and indoctrination brief on 26 July 1966. Pratice alerts were held on 15 and 16 July 1966. All hands participated. Progress was made in training the Squadron NBC Teams in that two personnel per week were sent to the MAG-12 NBC School.
Logistics: VMA-224 has had an average of 21 A4 series aircraft assigned of which an average of 14 were on hand. Squadron availability has averaged 79%. Outstanding AOCP's have average 11 per day. VMA-224 has taken over all of VMA-211's Marine Corps property. Average "C" ration usage has been 30 cases per week. The huts in the officers and enlisted living areas were roofed with tin. As of 31 July1966, fifteen (15) squadron aircraft had completed Operation Shoehorn. VMA-224 Aircraft Maintenance Department has had seven (7) enlisted men assigned to the Shoehorn project at NAS Cubi Point during July.
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Marine Attack Squadron 224, MAG 12, 1st MAW. August 1 - August 31 1966.
Location: MCEF Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, August 1 - August 31, 1966.
Organizational Data: Lieutenant Colonel John BROWNE, Commanding Officer.
Major Francis T. SULLIVAN, Executive Officer.
Captain Robert J. NEWMAN, Administrative Officer.
Major Alfonso OSEGUERA, Operations Officer.
Captain Patrick H. RUPERTUS, Logistics Officer.
Captain Bruce R. BOOHER, Maintenance Officer.
Captain John M. KRETSINGER, Aviation Safety Officer.
Average Monthly Strength: 26 USMC Officers, 162 USMC Enlisted, 1 USN Officer, 1 USN Enlisted
Narrative Summary: All squadron pilots have worked smoothly and efficiently during this month and have adapted well to the combat conditions. The pilots experience level is rising and is considered above average. Even though many flights have received enemy fire, there have been no hits scored on the aircraft. During the month, the CAS missions were flown in support of Operation Colorado, Operation Prairie and Operation Suwanee.
Administration/Personnel: During the reporting period the squadron joined one (1) enlisted from CONUS and two (2) enlisted and two (2) officers from within the Group. During the period, the squadron transferred twenty one (21) enlisted to CONUS, six (6) enlisted to units within the Group, one (1) officer to 1st Marine Division and one (1) officer to 1st MAW. Three (3) enlisted men reenlisted for six years and one (1) man reenlisted for two years. Eight corporals were promoted to Sgt, one (1) Lance Corporal to Corporal and one (1) Private First Class to Lance Corporal.
One (1) officer, 1st Lieutenant J.H. GEORGE, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The following officers earned the Air Medal during August:
Lt.Col. J. BROWNE 8th & 9th Award 2nd Lt. C.R. DOWNING 2nd & 3rd Award
Maj. F.T. SULLIVAN 2nd & 3rd Award 1st Lt. J.R. FISCHER 2nd Award
Maj. A. OSEGUERA 5th & 6th Award 1st Lt. J.H. GEORGE 4th Award
Capt. B.R. BOOHER 11th & 12th Award 2nd Lt. L. GREB 2nd Award
Capt. W.R. GRIFFIN 1st & 2nd Award 1st Lt. B.E. JOBE 5th & 6th Award
Capt. F.J. HORAK Jr. 5th Award 1st Lt. J.P. McCANN 3rd Award
Capt. J.M. KRETSINGER 3rd, 4th & 5th Award 1st Lt. E.L. NELMS 8th & 9th Award
Capt. R.J. NEWMAN 3rd, 4th & 5th Award 1st Lt. D.C. PUCKETT 9th & 10th Award
Capt. P.H. RUPERTUS 2nd & 3rd Award 1st Lt. K.A. STRONG 4th & 5th Award
Capt. T.G. TAYLOR 6th, 7th & 8th Award 1st Lt. L.P. WILSON 2nd & 3rd Award
1st Lt. R.M. BLOOM 2nd & 3rd Award
Morale/Welfare: Squadron morale has been very high during August and no exceptional problems were noted.
Air Operations: VMA-224 pilots flew 862 sorties totaling 1,094.7 flight hours. 820 combat sorties for 1,035.7 flying hours were flown during the month. During this period 1,896,963 pounds of bombs, 164,300 pounds of napalm, 38,570 pounds of rockets and 6,226 20mm rounds were delivered by squadron pilots.
Training: During the reporting period 10 enlisted men attended MAG-12 NBC School for 6 hours of instruction, 4 officers attended Jungle Survival School, Cubi Point for 1 ½ days, and 1 officer was sent to Embarkation School, Camp Butler, Okinawa for 20 days. There was a ground defense alert on August 30 and performance of the unit was satisfactory.
Logistics: VMA-224 has had an average of 22 A4E aircraft assigned of which an average of 18 were on hand. Squadron aircraft availability has averaged 78%. Outstanding AOCP’s have averaged 18 per day. A total of 17 aircraft have had the initial Shoehorn outfitting. Six (6) aircraft have also been through the Shoehorn retrofit. An average of 70% of assigned vehicles were in ready status.
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Marine Attack Squadron 224, MAG 12, 1st MAW. September 1 - September 30 1966.
Location: MCEF Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, September 1 - September 30, 1966.
Organizational Data: Lieutenant Colonel John BROWNE, Commanding Officer.
Major James F. LLOYD, Executive Officer.
Captain Robert J. NEWMAN, Administrative Officer.
Major Alfonso OSEGUERA, Operations Officer.
Captain Patrick H. RUPERTUS, Logistics Officer.
Captain John M. KRETSINGER, Maintenance Officer.
First Lieutenant Dean C. PUCKETT, Aviation Safety Officer.
Average Monthly Strength: 24 USMC Officers, 143 USMC Enlisted, 1 USN Officer, 1 USN Enlisted
Narrative Summary: During this period, the squadron suffered the loss of two (2) pilots and two (2) aircraft. First Lieutenant John R. FISCHER 087291/7333 USMCR was killed in action on 9 September 1966. First Lieutenant Richard M. BLOOM 090684/7302 USMCR, was killed in action on 20 September 1966. All squadron pilots have been improving their effectiveness and the squadrons overall efficiency, by flying various types of missions under all-weather conditions. Eight (8) aircraft received damage from an enemy mortar attack in the early hours of 21 September, but all were rapidly repaired by squadron maintenance personnel. During the month, two (2) pilots made exceptional records: First Lieutenant D.C. PUCKETT flew his 200th combat mission in Vietnam. Second Lieutenant C.R. DOWNING flew 50 combat missions during the month of September 1966, totaling over 100 missions during the 2 1/2 months in the Republic of Vietnam.
Administrative/Personnel: During this month, the squadron joined nine (9) enlisted men from CONUS and two (2) officers from within the group. During this period, the squadron transferred eight (8) enlisted men to CONUS, three (3) enlisted men to the Naval Hospital, one (1) officer to the Group and two (2) officers (Naval Aviators) killed in action. One man reenlisted for a period of six (6) years. Thirteen (13) Lance Corporals were promoted to Corporal and twenty-one (21) Privates First Class were promoted to Lance Corporal. One (1) First Lieutenant was promoted to Captain on 30 September 1966.
On 22 September 1966, the following men were awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received during the Viet Cong mortar attack on Chu Lai airfield during the early morning of 21 September 1966: Sergeant S.P. VALENTI, Corporal D.V. POLAK and Corporal R.T. SMITH. The following officers earned the Air Medal during September:
Lt.Col. J. BROWNE 10th & 11th Award 1st Lt. R.M. BLOOM 5th Award
Maj. F.T. SULLIVAN 4th Award 2nd Lt. C.R. DOWNING 4th, 5th & 6th Award
Maj. A. OSEGUERA 7th, 8th & 9th Award 2nd Lt. L. GREB 3rd, 4th & 5th Award
Capt. W.R. GRIFFIN 3rd Award 1st Lt. B.E. JOBE 7th & 8th Award
Capt. F.J. HORAK Jr. 6th & 7th Award 1st Lt. J.P. McCANN 4th, 5th & 6th Award
Capt. W.R. INGALLS 6th Award 1st L. D.C. PUCKETT 11th &12th Award
Capt. J.M. KRETSINGER 5th & 6th Award 1st Lt. K.A. STRONG 6th & 7th Award
Capt. P.H. RUPERTUS 4th &5th Award 1st Lt. L.P. WILSON 4th & 5th Award
Capt. T.G. TAYLOR 9th, 10th & 811th Award
Morale/Welfare: Squadron morale continues to be high with no exceptional problem areas.
Air Operations: VMA-224 pilots flew 695 sorties totaling 874.8 flight hours. Pilots assigned to fly with VMA-224 flew 173 sorties totaling 233.9 flight hours. Total combat sorties flown were 819 for 1,047.0 hours. During this period 1,144,699 pounds of ordinance was delivered by squadron pilots on the Viet Cong.
Training: During September, three (3) enlisted men attended the MAG-12 NBC School for six (6) hours instruction each, one (1) officer attended Jungle Survival School at Cubi Point for 1 ½ days of instruction, one (1) officer attended Sea Survival School at Numazu, Japan for 3 days instruction and one (1) non-commissioned officer attended Corrosion Control School. Tachikawa AFB, Japan.
Logistics: VMA-224 has had an average of 21 A4E aircraft assigned, of which an average of 17 were on hand. Squadron aircraft availability has averaged 75%. A total of 17 aircraft have had the initial Shoehorn outfitting’s and 12 aircraft have also been through retrofit. During the month, outstanding AOCP’s per day have averaged 24, which is approximately six (6) above normal. The squadron has averaged four (4) AOCP per day. An average of 70% of assigned vehicles were in ready status. No special problems areas have been noted and the accomplishment of the squadron’s mission has not been hampered due to lack of any logistics.
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Marine Attack Squadron 224, MAG 12, 1st MAW. October 1 - October 31 1966.
Location: MCEF Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, October 1 - October 30, 1966.
Organizational Data: Lieutenant Colonel John BROWNE, Commanding Officer.
Major James F. LLOYD, Executive Officer.
Captain Robert J. NEWMAN, Administrative Officer.
Major Alfonso OSEGUERA, Operations Officer.
Captain Patrick H. RUPERTUS, Logistics Officer.
Captain John M. KRETSINGER, Maintenance Officer.
First Lieutenant Dean C. PUCKETT, Aviation Safety Officer.
Average Monthly Strength: 23 USMC Officers, 140 USMC Enlisted, 1 USN Officer, 1 USN Enlisted
Narrative Summary: During this period VMA-224 went from a ready combat squadron flying mission’s right up to the changeover to VMA-211 was complete. VMA-224 pilots flew with VMA-211’s less experienced pilots on the wing. The transmission for the new pilots was carried out safely and expeditiously. By the 29th of this month most of the Top Guns pilots had phased out of the picture and transferred to other squadrons. Captain T.G. TAYLOR flew his 200th combat mission in Vietnam on the 13th. During the last six (6) days of the reporting period the remaining A4E aircraft were being transferred from squadron records to the Navy at NAS Atsugi.
Administration/Personnel: On board strength at the beginning of the period was 23 officers (19 NA’s and 4 AG’s) and 140 enlisted. SSgt E.P. REAM accepted temporary appointment to Second Lieutenant. Major F.T. SULLIVAN transferred to MABS-12. Six (6) PFC’s promoted to Lance Corporal. Major C.W. CHAIN, Captain B.E. JOBE and Captain D.C. PUCKETT were promoted to their present. First Lieutenant S.J. MOCK accepted Regular Commission. MSgt R.A. PALMER promoted to his present rank as well as SSgt’s C.C. FRANK, L.F. HOLCOMB and J.F. MASSIE. Sgt C.F. HATMAKER transferred by Service Record while sick. Major A. OSEGUERA and Sgt. S.D. HALE rotated to CONUS. Sgt’s T.F. SLATTERY and J.C. STORY meritoriously promoted to present rank. Corporal P. SCARDINO reenlisted for four (4) years. One hundred and thirty-six (136) enlisted personnel transferred to various squadrons within the group on 25 October 1966. Twenty-one (21) officers were transferred within the group or to CONUS by 31 October 1966. Ended the reporting period with the C.O. as the last member on board, with an effective transfer date of 1 November to MWHG-1.
Air Operations: VMA-224 pilots flew 416 sorties totaling 544.4 flight hours. Non-squadron pilots flew 140 sorties totaling 189.4 flight hours. Total combat sorties flown were 386 for 510.2 flight hours. During this period 1,034,564 pounds of ordnance was delivered by squadron aircraft on the Viet Cong.
Training: During October two (2) officers completed the Low Pressure/Seat Ejection refresher at Okinawa. One (1) officer attended Sea Survival School at Numazu, Japan for three (3) days instruction.
Logistics: 04 Oct 66 – The squadron material officer attended 1stMAW Individual Material Readiness List Conference on IMRL transfer. 10-19 Oct 66 – Transfer of property to VMFA-314 and VMA-211. 12-28 Oct 66 – Transfer of property to VMA(AW)-242. 25-30 Oct 66 – Closed out and shipped squadron records, colors and files to Sub-Unit One Cherry Point, North Carolina. 31 Oct 66 – Close out Fiscal Account and Transfer of Funds.
This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
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