VMFA-212 Returns by Sgt Bruce A
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THE WINDWARD MARINE 23, ,1972 Vol. 21, No. 24 MCAS, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii June VMFA-212 returns by Sgt Bruce A. Waitman Marine Fighter Attack that the F4J Phantom's of 212, a Okinawa-Ry uky us Campaigns. Carrier Air Wing 16 (CVW 16) in Squadron-212, which has been fighter aircraft, will be replaced by a During the Korean War the preparation for deployment to providing close air support to the squadron of A6's, an attack aircraft. squadron flew a total of 18,257 Southeast Asia. In April, CVW 16 left combat missions with a total flying for Vietnam. South Vietnamese during the latest The general stated that the A6 time of 39,893.4 hours. communist offensive, is now returning aircraft will be able to provide better For the third time in its history home to K-Bay. close air support to the South The squadron first came to 212 was called upon to engage an The squadron has been in South Vietnamese troops than the F4J could. K-Bay in April 1955, where it joined enemy in Asia. Vietnam about two months. Over 200 the 1st Provisional Marine Air-Ground V MFA-212 was originally The squadron returned to K-Bay members of 212 landed at K-Bay Task Force (the forerunner of the 1st on March 1, 1942 at Ewa, on Dec. 10, 1965. In 1966, 212 was Wednesday morning. The rest are activated Marine Brigade). In the fall of 1958, World War awarded the Commandant's Aviation scheduled to arrive this weekend. Territory of Hawaii. During 212 left for Japan, returning during enviable record. It Efficiency Trophy for general General Robert E. Cushman, 212 amassed an the Spring of 1959. Commandant of the Marine Corps, was credited with shooting down excellence. Last year the squadron was In September 1960, 212 left made the announcement about 212 132% enemy aircraft, the fifth highest awarded the Chief of Naval Operations again for the Far East, returning eight during a Press Conference with total for a Marine squadron during the Annual Safety Award and The Captain months later. Hawaiian news media representatives war; destroyed countless tons of small Robert M. Hanson Marine Fighter Tuesday. shipping; and earned two Presidential In. January 1965, 212 left for Squadron of the Year Award. In response to queries from the Unit Citations for operations during California for training exercises with VMFA -212 is commanded by newsmen, Gen Cushman remarked the Guadalcanal-Tulagi and Naval squadrons attached to Attack LtCol RD. Revie. davd ewe `Pleased with K-Bay appearance' "Combat Readiness is the name Kansas Tower on the mission of the Gen Cushman took part in the ribbon general presented individual as well as of the game," according to Gen Station and Brigade, observed an cutting ceremony dedicating the company trophies to the winners. Robert E. Cushman, Commandant of intercept on the radar scope at "Showboat," t h e new enlisted guest After stopping at the E'Club and the Marine Corps. MACS-2, between a Phantom armed house. Messhall I he proceeded to Hanger Gen Cushman made the remarks with sidewinder missiles and a drone. After meeting several sergeant 105 where he was briefed on MAG-24 Monday during his visit to K-Bay while He also looked at the new Beach majors at the SNCO Club he stopped and looked at MAG's aircraft. speaking to the men of the 3rd Marine House. at all three Homes of the Month. The general left around 3 p.m. Regiment at a Regimental Field Meet. Following lunch at the O'Club Next came a short trip to the His visit here was the last stop of Aside from the Field Meet, the where he commended the officers Rifle Range, followed by the Field a Western Pacific tour to Marine bases Commandant also was briefed at present on the appearance of the base, Meet at Regimental Headquarters. The in Japan, Vietnam and Okinawa. "Welcome Home Daddy," was perhaps a Father's Day gift a few days late, but the spirit was still the same as Terry Mussoto and her daughter Erica await husband and father, Cpl David M Mussoto, returning to K-Bay from Vietnam with VMFA-212. (photo by LCp1 Mike Lane) This boat doesn't float by Sgt Robert L. Nash Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were motel? No! The Showboat is more DFC to Capt Robillard held Monday by the Commandant of elaborately furnished. "It's more like a the Marine Corps effieially designs ting house," replied one enlisted man upon a Hostess House at K-Bay. viewing the living quarters. by SSgt Philip F. Hartranft It's called the Showboat Hostess The Showboat has 12 living House and opens today at 10 a.m. The units: ten two-bedroom units, one Showboat is located in Building 462 three-bedroom unit, and one Marine Capt John A. Robillard next to the SNCO Club. Each features a was awarded the Distinguished Flying A Hostess House is exactly what four-bedroom unit. complete with a Cross here June 16 for his heroism in the name implies. It is "to provide kitchenette all have supporting the successful medical lodging at reasonable prices so refrigerator and stove, and have evacuation of twenty friendly personnel may host dependents and spacious living rooms. Some casualties in Vietnam. family guests." Priority for assignment dining rooms and the smaller ones Colonel W.G. Crocker, at the Hostess House will be enlisted have dinettes. MAG-24, c ommanding Officer, ranks, privates through sergeants Work on the Showboat began presented the award to Capt Robillard major, then retired enlisted. prior to last December and a complete General Robert E. Cushman, Commandant of the Marine Corps, cuts the ribbon, formal ceremonies. during For personnel on Temporary renovation was accomplished by officially designating the Showboat Hostess House at K-Bay as LtGen W.K. Jones, Robillard, currently serving as Living Allowance (TLA) the Showboat Public Works personnel. This included CG, FMFPac, holds the ribbon. Looking on is Col W.J. White, Station Commander. the Ground Support Officer, is perfect. Persons on TLA staying at interior/exterior painting and repairs, (photo by Sgt Paul Reynolds) H&MS-24, received his decoration for the Showboat will receive half of their plus electrical rewiring and boiler his heroic actions on April 9, 1971, in TLA plus the normal daily room fee of maintenance. The project officer for Quang Nam Province. $8. the Showboat was Maj Royall W. Geis, that date and while serving On Your parents, sister, brother Station Management Engineer. with Marine Light Helicopter coming to Hawaii to visit you? Make Squadron-367, he was advised that All units rent for $8 a day. The their trip a unique experience by living Possible dock strike Monday twenty friendly casualties needed to Showboat will have a civilian manager, base in a quarters-type unit. be evacuated from an area near aboard two desk clerks and maid service six This is only one example where the Liberty Bridge. The ground unit was out of seven days. Showboat may be of use. Another engaged in a hotly contested ground Capt Robillard Although initially the units will would be for those Marines on fight with an undetermined number of have all the basic living essentials, unaccompanied tours whose wife may enemy troops. Capt (then a first within the next sixty days all units will from some enemy positions was to come out for a 2-4 week lieutenant) Robillard was immediately be able have wall-to-wall carpeting, drapes and silenced and the fire from others visit. launched as Wingman in a flight of two decorative pictures for the walls: MAG XO suppressed sufficiently enough to Although the usual length of LtCol Warfield AH-1G Cobra helicopters (gunships) Further downstream the Hostess enable the friendly ground unit to stay at the Showboat is two weeks, assigned to support the evacuation of House will acquire smokestacks, a break contact." two one-week extensions may be by Sgt Robert L. Nash the wounded. wheelhouse and a large side paddle Capt Robillard, a five-year granted on a space available basis. Upon arrival at the area he was wheel giving creditability to its title as Marine veteran, reported to the Air Now that you know there is a A new face appeared at K-Bay told by the ground forces that they "The Showboat." He served in Vietnam with Station a year ago following a tour in Hostess House, how about the June 15 as LtCol Clifford D. Warfield were under intense mortar and For more information about the Marine Aircraft Group-12 in 1968 and Vietnam. accommodations? What is it - a hotel, assumed the duties as the Executive automatic weapons fire from enemy Showboat call 73520 or 73108. Ask 1969. Officer of MAG-24. positions to their south and east. 100% for Mrs. Vivian Bryant . LtCol Warfield is married to the He relieved LtCol The citation, which accompanied Paul K. former Lois Burkowski ofVessington German who will be attending his award, told of the ensueing action the Springs, S.C. He and his wife have Naval War College in New Port, in part:"...Undaunted by the heavy R.I. three children. LtCol Warfield comes to-K-Bay volume of hostile fire directed at his from FMFPac where he served aircraft, several rounds of which struck with the Air Operations training and damaged his helicopter, he Help'em with Section, G-3 for two skillfully maneuvered his gunship at and one half years. A native of Frankfort, S.D., is low altitude to lay down a dense he the recipient of the smoke screen along the southern and Legion of Merit, Distinguished eastern edge of the friendly perimeter clean up Flying Cross (two), and on and then completely disregarded his 21 Strike/Flight Air Medals.