Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364
HMM-364
"Purple Foxes"
The "Purple Foxes" made the first of their three deployments to Vietnam in 1964 as part of Operation SHUFLY, where they flew the UH-34D. Following the second combat tour (1965-66) HMM-364 returned to the US to transition to the CH-46A, which the squadron operated during the third Vietnam combat deployment. Upon its return to the US in 1971, HMM-364 was deactivated.
HMM-364 was reactivated in 1984 and assigned to MAG-24 in Hawaii. The next decade brought a move to El Toro, and when that base closed, to Camp Pendleton, where the "Purple Foxes" are now based as part of MAG-39. During 2003 HMM-364 was assigned to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
Activated 1 September 1961 at Santa Ana, CA,
as MARINE HELICOPTER TRANSPORT SQUADRON (LIGHT) 364
(HMR(L)-364).
Redesignated 1 February 1962 as MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON
364 (HMM-364).
Deactivated 13 April 1971.
Reactivated 12 October 1984 at Tustin, CA.
Unit Honors
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER
with one bronze star
Vietnam
1965 - 1966
Iraq
2003
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH FOUR BRONZE
STARS
Vietnam
1964
1965 - 1966
1968
1968 - 1969
1970 - 1971
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 bronze
star
Vietnam
1970
1991
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH 2 BRONZE
STARS
VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE
STARS
VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY STREAMER with
PALM
VIETNAM MERITORIOUS CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS
STREAMER