MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON 3
VMO-3
"Scarface"
Marine Observation Squadron 3 was originally
activated 1 December 1943, at Quantico, Virginia, as Marine
Observation Squadron 351. It was to be the "eyes" for
Marine Artillery units in the Pacific. The squadron was
redesignated Marine Observation Squadron 3 in 1944. The squadron
flew many hazardous spotting missions at Peleliu, and later, at
Okinawa, earned the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war,
VMO-3 served in Northern China, before relocating, first to Guam,
and later to Cherry Point, North Carolina, where the squadron was
deactivated in 1949.
In 1966, the Marine Corps received permission to activate two
"temporary war-time only" VMOs. VMO-3 was reactivated
at Camp Pendleton in August, and was on its way to Vietnam by
December. VMO-3 flew its UH-1E Hueys from Hue/Phu Bai and MCAF
Marble Mountain as part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. In 1968,
with the addition of the OV-10A "Bronco" to the VMO
inventory, the decision was made to remove the UH-1 from the VMOs
and create three Light Helicopter Squadrons (HMLs). Instead of
deactivation, VMO-3 and its sister squadron VMO-5 (UH-1 training
squadron based at Camp Pendleton) were redesignated. VMO-3 became
HML-367.
LINEAGE
1943 - 1949
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.
Participated in the Occupation of North China, October 1945 -
June 1947.
Redeployed during July 1947 to Orote, Guam, and reassigned to
Marine Aircraft Group 24.
Redeployed during February 1949 to Agana, Guam.
Relocated during May 1949 to Cherry Point, North Carolina and
reassigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Deactivated 20 August 1949 at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
1966 -1968
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.
Deployed during December 1966 to Hue/Phu Bai and reassigned to
Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
Participated in the war in Vietnam December 1966 to March 1968,
operating from
Hue/Phu Bai
Marble Mountain
Redesignated 24 March 1968 as Marine Light
Helicopter Squadron 367
HONORS
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER
with three bronze stars
World War II
Okinawa - 1945
Vietnam
1965 - 1967
1967
1968
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER
Vietnam
1968
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER with two bronze
stars
WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE STREAMER with ASIA
clasp
CHINA SERVICE STREAMER
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER
VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER with three bronze
stars
VIETNAM CROSS of GALLANTRY with PALM
STREAMER
VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS
STREAMER
These honors were inherited by HML-367.
Nicknames:
"Scarface"
ID Code: AA 1946-49; VT
1966-68
Aircraft: OY-1 (WW2); UH-1E
Squadron Web Pages: Scarface (VMO-3/HML-367/HMLA-367)
HML/HMLA-367
(Official HMLA-367 site)
Last updated 13 Jun 2004
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