(ASD)VMO-155
VMO-1
WW 2
1950s-60s
OV-10s
MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON 1
VMO-1
VMO-1 began life as a fixed-wing squadron in World War 2, earning battle stars for service at Guam and Iwo Jima. After the war, VMO-1 was based at Cherry Point, and then New River. In 1952, the squadron received its first helicopters, Kaman HOK-1s. From this date, until 1971, the squadron would operate both fixed-wing and helos together. During this period, VMO-1 was the first squadron to operate the HO5S, HOK, UH-1E, UH-1N, and the AH-1J. During the Korean War, VMO-1 trained personnel headed for combat, as well as supporting the 2d Marine Division at home.
In March 1964, VMO-1 became the first USMC squadron to operate the turbine-powered UH-1E "Huey". Later that month two VMO-1 Hueys rescued a party of road engineers from hostile Indians in Peru. In 1965, VMO-1 supported the US intervention in the Dominican Republic. Later that year, the squadron transferred out all of its O-1C "Birdogs", and became an all-helicopter squadron.
In July 1968, VMO-1 began operating the OV-10A "Bronco". VMO-1 transferred all its helicopters in February 1971 and became a fixed-wing squadron again. During the late 1970s, the squadron began rotating detachments with VMO-2 to Okinawa to support Marines in the Far East. In 1980 the first OV-10D arrived, giving the squadron increased reconaissance capabilities. Throughout the 1980s VMO-1 continued to support exercises in the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean. VMO-1 was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation during this period for supporting drug interdiction missions.
In December 1990, VMO-1 embarked its OV-10s aboard USS America and USS Theodore Roosevelt to deploy to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. The squadron flew over 1000 combat sorties, losing one crew to enemy action (1 KIA, 1 POW). VMO-1 was deactivated 28 July 1993.
LINEAGE
1943-46
- Activated 27 July 1944 at Quantico, Virginia as (Artillery Spotting Division) Marine Observation Squadron 155, Fleet Marine Force.
- Relocated during November 1943 to San Diego, California, and assigned to Marine Fleet Air, West Coast.
- Deployed during January 1944 to Espiritu Santo, and assigned to Marine Air, South Pacific.
- Redesignated 12 February 1944 as Marine Observation Squadron 1, and assigned to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF.
- Reassigned during June 1944 to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF.
- Participated in the World War 2 campaigns GUAM and IWO JIMA.
- Reassigned during June 1945 to Marine Observation Group 1, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF.
- Reassigned during November 1945 to Marine Aircraft Group 21, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
1947-57
- Relocated during January-February 1946 to Cherry Point, North Carolina, and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 22, 9th Marine Aircraft Wing.
- Reassigned during March 1946 to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing.
- Detached from 2d Marine Aircraft Wing during December 1945, and reassigned to Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.
- Relocated during May 1947 to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and assigned to 2d Marine Division, FMF.
- Reassigned during August 1948 to 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Aircraft, FMF, Atlantic.
- Relocated during July 1952 to New River, North Carolina.
- Reassigned during January 1956 to Marine Wing Headquarters Group, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Aircraft, FMF, Atlantic.
- Reassigned during June 1956 to Marine Aircraft Group 26.
1958-84
- Deployed during July-August 1958 to the Atlantic Ocean on board USS Antietam.
- Relocated during August 1958 to New River, North Carolina.
- Elements of the squadron participated in the Cuba Missile Crisis, October-December 1962.
- Elements participated in the intervention in the Dominican Republic, April-June 1965.
- Reassigned during May 1972 to Marine Aircraft Group 29.
- Participated in numerous training exercises throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
1984-93
- Began sending detachments to Okinawa in 1976 in support of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
- Deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, December 1990 - March 1991.
- Deactivated 31 July 1993.
HONORS
- NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
STREAMER with two bronze stars
- World War II
19 - 28 February 1945*
19 April 83 - 21 June 1985
- Southwest Asia
1990 - 1991 - MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION
STREAMER
1986 - 1988 - ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER with two bronze stars
- WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
- NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars
- ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
- SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with two bronze stars
* Ground echelon. The Pilots and Air Observers were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation
- Nicknames:
- ID Code: BR 1948-50; LR 1950 - 58; ER 1958 - 93
- Aircraft: OY-1,2 "Grasshopper"; AE-1 "Cub"; OE-1/O-1B,OE-2/O-1C "Bird Dog"; HO5S; HOK/OH-43D; UH-1E,N; AH-1J; OV-10A/D/D+
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Last updated 12 Oct 2011
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