If you served with HMM-364 and/or VMM-364 anytime between 1 September 1961 and
TODAY and your name does not appear in the squadron roster pages,
just email the SLJNCO with your last rank with the squadron, and years you were assigned to HMM-364.
This is not a religious site, but keep these Purple Foxes are in need of prayers:
Pat Kenny
Bob Steinberg
Daryl Reirsgard
Neddy Dautriel
who else?
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum In Danger of Shutdown
Museum Has The Largest Collection Of Historical Aircraft, Flown By Marine Corps Aviators, In The World
Our history and the courageous people who made the best of it happen are too often ignored or left to fade away by those who really should pay it the proper respect. Unfortunately; more evidence of that situation has reached us here at ANN.
On April 1, 2021, the United States Marine Corps intends to permanently close the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.
The future of the artifacts, research library, and aircraft, which belong to the Marine Corps, is unknown. We have been told that the closure is for financial reasons, even though the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation has offered to assume full financial responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Museum.
The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum has the largest collection of historical aircraft flown by U.S. Marine Corps aviators in the world. Currently on display in an outdoor setting are 31 aircraft from World War II to the present. Indoors there are 8 galleries displaying artwork, photographs, uniforms and artifacts from World War I to today.
The museum has a 27,000 square foot restoration hangar and up until the most recent downturn, there were future plans to build a 90,000 square foot museum building for indoor displays.
YOU can help by clicking this link to Save the Museum. They have tons of information about how to help, and what actions you can take.
Served 1945-1978
Col. Henry (Hank) W. Steadman (1927-2016) USMC-ret. (1945-1978); interred at nearby Barrancas National Cemetery Pensacola. That long train ride from the farm in Mississippi to Parris Island, SC in 1945 was an auspicious start to a remarkable 33-year career in USMC. During his 5 years as an enlisted Marine, one of his earliest assignments was serving as Honor Guard on the Freedom Train for 14 mos. escorting all the important documents of the US throughout the United States following WWII. Selected as model for the USMC recruiting poster, utilized for nearly 20 yrs. Commissioned in 1950, followed by flight training, beginning an eventful and exciting flying career. Flew many of the early Marine Corps jets, including F-9F, FJ-4, T-33 and A-4. Miscellaneous other aircraft flown include: SNJ, T-28, F6F, AD(-4/5/6), SNB, R4D-8/C-117D, and OV-10. Transitioned to helos in 1959, and eventually saw service in HTL-6, HO4S, H-37, H-34, H-46, H-53, UH-1 and AH-1J. 2 distinguished tours in Vietnam: the 1st in 1965 as XO/CO of HMM-362 flying H-34s; his 2nd tour in 1970 as CO (“Papa Fox”) of HMM-364 Purple Foxes flying CH-46s, and S-3 of MAG-16. Notably awarded 2 Silver Stars, LofM w/Cmbt V, DFC, VN Cross of Gallantry w/Silver Star, Purple Heart and 25 Air Medals during 500 combat missions over two VN tours. Final flying assignment: CO of MAG-29 at MCAS New River, NC (AH-1, UH-1, OV-10); then attended ICAF. Following retirement in 1978 served as helo/fixed-wing simulator instructor for 6 yrs. at NAS Whiting Field, FL. Proudly served as docent at this museum over several years. TOTAL Military Flying: 25 years, 5,000+ hours, 2 combat tours/500 combat missions, wide diversity of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft in multiple leadership positions. Col. Hank Steadman was our own larger-than-life hero and inspiration, 3 of his children followed with military careers, model Marine, distinguished and recognized leader, devoted family man and true American Hero.
Credit to Mike Tennent for sharing this with us.
Gary Benson shared this very interesting, but sad story about one of the bases: Camp Evans was named after Paul Evans, a buddy of mine, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was a year ahead of me in high school. We played football together in HS and college. He dropped out of college and was killed in December 1966 while assigned to the 26th Marines. That month I was working for Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls when we received the call that there was a military casket at the airport we needed to pick up. I was stunned when I saw the name on the manifest. He was a great guy. His mom never recovered from his loss and died within a few years after.
VHPA Wants YOUR photo!
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association wants YOUR Vietname era phtoto of a CH-46 for their website/calendar. It MUST be a photo they have not used before in their calendar or their website. You can see the great photo collection they have at the
Marble Mountain 50th Anniversary
Peachbush/Swift/Chatterbox Reunion Hilton Head Island 11/11/21 to 11/14/21 HOLD THE DATE!! DETAILS!!
The Beach House
1 S Forest Beach Dr.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928-6423
877-935-1725 <--updated
When calling the hotel, mention the Swift/Peachbush Reunion,
Nov 2021, for the special room rates (mention "Marine Helicopter" when making a reservation).
Invited are members from the following squadrons: HMM/VMM-263, HMM/VMM-364 & HMM/VMM-262.
Here are the Details From Duncan MacRae:
Mention "Marine Helicopter" when making your reservation.
Room Rate approx $150.00 per night room,taxes,parking etc
(need exact hotel) Check-in Thurs11/11 Thurs VETERANS DAY. --Check out Sun 11/14 by noon. The above rate is good for 2 days prior to 11/11 and 2 days after 11/14 if you care to stay longer
Reception with heavy orduerves and cash bar Friday night 1800 to 2200
Dinner and Faux Marble Mountain Show live music and Christmas Tree
Hilton Head Island has quite a few other attractions--Golf, boating, fishing, horse back riding, tons of bars and shopping til you drop. Can be reserved individually with the hotel concierge.
Reception Fri and dinner Sat about $50.00 to $80.00 per person per day Actual Prices TBA
Faux band to be chipped in on by those who will help me out. This is the guy that played all the 60's 70's music at the Peachbush reunion in Columbia in 2010.
I've signed a contract for the above dates and am responsible for 90% to 50% totals, so we can't cancell or change the dates and times.
The major Airlines fly into the island now so you don't have to fly into Savannah rent a car and drive anymore.
There is a great Tiki bar on the beach. The checkin is on Thurs and Fri. I think that Thurs. night should be open for people to meet at the Tiki bar and go out to dinner in small groups. There are over a 100 Bars and Restaurants on the Island. That way people can go out with their closest friends. The pool and the beach are handy and easy to do. Also, one of the nicest shopping malls in SC is within walking distance.
Something new we are very excited about, our own Stephanie Hanson Caisse, author of A Corpsman's Legacy and A Corpsman's Legacy Continues, has started a newsletter called the Swifty Spotlight. She gets all kinds of snippets and tidbits of news about the squadron, so she decided to share it with the rest of us. If you would like her to sent one directly to you, I am sure you can get on her mailing list by contacting her through her website or Facebook.
Health and Wellbeing
Links to Veterans related sites or pages on Health, Financial, Recovery, etc. Updated: 25 February 2020
Dedication
Dedicated to those Marines, and others, who served with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364
during their time in the Corps. This site represents the collective efforts of all
former members of HMM-364 who believe their history, and the part they played in conducting
aerial support missions should be preserved. In some cases the "PURPLE FOXES" relate,
with appropriate reverence and respect, incidents relative to their counterparts who did
not "come home alive". All who view this historical account of HMM-364 should appreciate
that a complete history of our squadron must contain information relative
to all of our former Marines and Navy Corpsman.
Further, it should be noted that HMM-364's illustrious legacy should not appear to diminish the
contributions of our other 'Marine Brothers,' be they aviation, ground or support units.
There existed at these times in our Marine Corps a great deal of mutual respect among all Marines
who endured the experience of war. Therefore, where possible, credit will be given to
individuals and units which were associated with developing this historical account of the
"Purple Foxes" to cultivate and promote the same Esprit De Corps which existed then and today.
Contributions to this site are respectfully requested which might cover, but not limited to,
subjects such as those listed in the 'Table of Contents' above and, we encourage submissions
from those Marines we supported.
