Viet Nam Veterans

[EZ2]

By mid-October 1965, VMF(AW)-235 was alerted to anticipate deployment to Vietnam. The capabilities of the squadron's F8Es made it a logical choice for deployment. It spent the balance of the year in preparation for the overseas move, and was completed with the "Death Angels'" arrival at Danang.


VMF(AW)-235 arrive in Vietnam on 1 February 1966 and had pilots in the air flying their first combat sortie less that 24 hours later and had flown 603 sorties by the end of the first month. The squadron's working components smoothed out by March and the pilots established a new monthly operational record of 806 sorties and 1,027.8 flight hours. Keeping busy, the Angels flew 696 sorties in April, 663 in May and 678 in June. On 10 June the squadron set a new record of 41 sorties in a 24-hour period.


During the latter part of April, VMF(AW)-235 was assigned the task of defending the Danang Air Base when the other squadrons were withdrawn during the Vietnamese political/military crisis. Ingenuity and creativity by squadron maintenance personnel effectively protected the parked aircraft on the airstrip, making it feasible for the squadron to remain there where they could best make use of their 20-millimeter cannon in air-to-ground support.


The squadron's missions on its first tour in Vietnam can be divided into five categories: (1) Flying escort and cover for combat and logistical support helicopters; (2) Providing close air support for Marine infantry units in the field; (3) Providing armed escort for Marine convoys traveling Vietnam roads; (4) Providing fighter escort for Marine aerial refueling aircraft; (5) Day/night all-weather bombing under control of a Marine air support radar team.


The only land-based F8E Crusader-equipped squadron in Vietnam in 1966, the squadron hammered the North Vietnamese heavily, flying over 6,000 sorties and encompassing over 7,000 flying hours in support of 22 special operations.

http://www.vmf235.com/VMF-235/History.html