(ASD)VMO-351
VMO-3
WW 2
Alternate version - National Geographic 1944
Vietnam
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 STREAMER with PALM
- VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER
These honors were inherited by HML-367.
- Nicknames: "Scarface"
- ID Code: AA 1946-47; AA 1947-49; VT 1966-68
- Aircraft: OY-1 (WW2); AE-1*; SBD-5**; UH-1E
- Squadron Web Pages:
* These were assigned to VMOs to make up a shortage of aircraft while refitting.
** According to Navy listings, VMO-3 carried 1 SBD-5 on strength from Aug 1944 through mid-Apr 45.