MARINE LIGHT ATTACK
HELICOPTER SQUADRON 367
HMLA-367
"Scarface"
HMLA-367 traces its history back to WW2, when, as VMO-3, it
flew artillery spotting and liasons missions at Peleliu and
Okinawa. The squadron was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation
for its work on Okinawa. After the war's end, VMO-3 served in
Northern China, before moving to Guam, and then to Cherry Point,
where it deactivated in 1949.
In 1966 VMO-3 was reactivated and sent to Vietnam, where it flew
the UH-1E "Huey". 1968 brought a change in designation as VMO-3
became HML-367. In 1969, HML-367 traded in its UH-1Es for AH-1G
"Cobras", and became the Marine Corps' first all-Cobra squadron.
HML-367 left Vietnam in 1971 and resumed operating the UH-1E.
During the next few years, the squadron supported 1st MAW
operations on Okinawa, as well as Japan and Korea. Detachments
also operated with the Seventh Fleet and the standing Marine
Amphibious Units.
During April 1977, HML-367 aircraft and crews participated in the
evacuation of Phnomh Penh, Cambodia and Saigon, RVN.
HML-367 became a composite squadron in 1977, flying the UH-1 and
AH-1. In 1990, Scarface went to war again, deploying with MAG-16
during Desert Storm. During the Battle of Khafji, Scarface pilots
were shown on TV as they attacked enemy positions inside the
city, in support of Coalition forces.
The squadron regularly deploys to Okinawa, and takes part in
training exercises at home and abroad.
LINEAGE
1943-49
Activated 1 December 1943 at Quantico, Virginia, as (Artillery
Spotting Division), Marine Observation Squadron 351.
Redesignated 15 January 1944 as Marine Observation Squadron
3.
Deployed during January - March 1944 to Espiritu Santo and
assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, Marine Air South
Pacific.
Participated in the following World War II campaigns
Peleliu
Okinawa
Redeployed during September - October 1945 to Tientsin, China,
and assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine
Force.
Participated in the occupation of Northern China, October 1945 -
June 1947.
Redeployed during July 1947 to Orote, Guam, and reassigned to
Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Redeployed during February 1949 to Agana, Guam.
Relocated during May 1949 to Cherry Point, North Carolina, and
reassigned to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine
Force.
Deactivated 20 August 1949.
1966 - 1978
Reactivated 1 August 1966 at Camp Pendleton, California, as
Marine Observation Squadron 3 and assigned to Marine Wing Support
Group 37, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force,
Pacific.
Deployed during December 1966 to Hue/Phu Bai and reassigned to
Marine Aircraft 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force,
Pacific.
Participated in the war in Vietnam, December 1966 - June 1971,
operating from,
Hue/Phu Bai
Marble Mountain
Redesignated 24 March 1968 as Marine Light Helicopter Squadron
367.
Redeployed during June 1971 to Futenma, Okinawa, and reassigned
to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet
Marine Force, Pacific.
Participated during April - May 1975 in the evacuation of
refugees from Cambodia and Vietnam.
Relocated during November 1975 to Hamby Field, Okinawa.
1979 -1995
Relocated during July 1979 to Futenma, Okinawa.
Relocated during December 1979 to Camp Pendleton, California, and
reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing,
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.
Participated in the system of unit deployment between Marine
Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft
Group 39, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing during the 1980s and 1990s.
Redesignated 1 January 1988 as Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadron 367.
1990-2006
Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm,
Southwest Asia, August 1990 - March 1991.
Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003-05
UNIT HONORS
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER with 3
bronze stars
World War II
Okinawa - 1945
Vietnam
1965 - 1967
1967
1968
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 1 silver star
Vietnam
1968
1968 - 1969
1970 - 1971
Southwest Asia
1990 - 1991
1993
2002-2003
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER with 4 bronze stars
Vietnam
1968
1970
1971
1986 - 1988
1992
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER with 2 bronze stars
WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
NAVY OCCUPATION STREAMER with "ASIA" clasp
CHINA SERVICE STREAMER
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars
VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with 2 silver stars and 1 bronze
star
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with 2 bronze stars
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY with PALM STREAMER
VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER