The USS PRINCETON (LPH-5), an Essex-class aircraft carrier, was commissioned on 18 NOV 1945, too late for action in world War II. During January and February, the much publicized Tet offensive took place and Marine helo squadrons were fully involved in many actions including the battle for Hue City, the defense of Khe Sanh, and many other operations throughout I Corps. . Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. At one point, the pilot gave him a direct order to remain in the helicopter. Another fully equipped squadron would be ordered in. He then came under VC attack and lifted off, leaving some of his passengers in the LZ whom immediately came under heavy VC fire. Operation PRAIRIE I, II and III continued in northern I Corps in support of the 3rd Marine Division (3rd MarDiv) until 20 Apr in Quang Tri Province and the southern DMZ. HMM-161 redeployed on 15 Aug from MMAF to MCAS Tustin. HMH-463 deployed to MCAS Kaneohe Bay. she assisted in countering an enemy threat t It would not be needed until April of 1975. Capt. The following day, bad luck dogged Operation ENDSWEEP as HMH-463s XO, Maj. Bill Smith, took his CH-53 submarine YH-11, to the bottom of Haiphong Harbor. resumed interdiction. and in February 1966 got underway for another tour in the combat zone. delivered Marine Corps advisors and helicopters to Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta area of the Republic of South Vietnam. The battle continued into February and March with much of the logistic support provided by Super Gaggles of CH-46s hauling 3000# external loads under IFR/VFR conditions from Dong Ha into the battalion LZs in the hills north of the combat base, supported by Marine jets and gunships. One rainy night, the HMM-164 SAR crew become firemen as they made many IFR trips into Lach Huyen carrying fire fighting gear to the crew of one of the Navys wooden MSOs which was on fire. HullNumber.com takes your privacy seriously. HMM-261 helos were again heavily damaged when inserting 2/4 the next day as a blocking force. The Membership list is now up, you can find it up at the right. On 15 April 1962,a Sikorsky HUS-1 (later redesignated the UH-34D) crew from LtCol Archie Clapps HMM-362 touched down on a World War II Japanese fighter strip 3 miles from Soc Trang, southwest of Saigon, in the Mekong Delta. USS Princeton (CV-37) was deployed to Vietnam four times between 1964 and 1967. However, two factors overrode. The roving skimmer watch detected 3 sappers 15 yards off the bow. The last UH-34D squadron, HMM-362, departed RVN on 21 Aug for FMFLant to be redesignated HMH-362 with H-53s. The Nixon Administration adopted a policy seeking to end U.S. involvement in RVN either through negotiations or by turning the combat role over to the Vietnamese. t Camp Carroll artillery base near the DMZ was abandoned by the end of December. The Third Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3rd MEB), under BrigGen Marion Carl, landed at Chu Lai on 7 May, coming under the command of the 9th MEB after the landing. The June 2010 C&P Bulletin includes itself to be part of the Jan. 2010 C&P Bulletin (Ships1 / list), clearly indicates: The VA has . She cruised the west coast It was destroyed, along with 38 other starships. Lemuel Cook, gunner, and LCpl David Penn, crew chief, left the aircraft to help evacuate the two wounded Marines. Assisted by:Mike Leahy,Gene Salter,Jim Shanahan,Roger Herman,Joe Novak, Bob Stoffey, andTed Read. By the beginning of May, Marine amphibious units were in position offshore. with the stabilization of the front there NH 93797: USS Princeton (LPH-5), U.S. Marines loading relief supplies on a USMC/Sikorsky Ch-34 helicopter for delivery to South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese Marine Division (VNMC) held the advancing NVA at the My Chanh in April. The operation into Laos ended for the Marines on 27 Mar. One of two light carriers in Task Group 38.3, Princeton carried 23 fighters and 10 torpedo bombers. Crews were working near the 200 percent level. This was to be a common sight for the next six years. For 138 days her planes flew against the enemy. they flew against the railroad bridges connecting Pyongyang with Sunchon all units had reached the staging area on the coast. As the pilot held this precarious position, Sgt. Apollo 10, carrying astronauts Eugene Cernan, John Young, and Thomas P. Stafford, was recovered in the South Pacific on 26 May. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew of USS Princeton embarked aboard the ship for a nearly month-long sequester April 7, 2020. MAG-36 supported 3rd Mar Div and Task Force Xray of the 1st Mar Div. I made the decision NOT to overboost that engine, even if I bent the gear. The wing departed from the traditional helicopter package by placing particular packages (two H-46s) under the operational control of the infantry regimental commanders. Arriving overhead, Macauley heard that the recon team now had seven of eight wounded or dead and quickly directed Puffs awesome firepower in a circle 200 to 300 feet out from the teams position as soon as he had spiraled into the LZ. She remained in the area after the truce The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, the 1st Force Recon Co. and a detachment of MAG-16 helicopters occupied Ha Airfield. The squadron lifted the first Marines into Hill 55 south of Da Nang, which remained a Marine Command Post (CP) for many years to come. Princeton exchanged WestPac training for the real thing as she returned to Viet Nam and joined the Pacific Fleet's Ready Group in operations against North Viet-Namese and Viet Cong forces. The detonation of actual mines was minimal, but when that occured, it was most impressive. PFC Clausen was presented the Medal of Honor. WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF US IN BETWEEN IS WHAT FOLLOWS -. Now that the wing was supporting only one Marine division, helicopter resources were more available. . USS Princeton (LPH-5) underway off the coast of South Vietnam on 13 January 1967 (NNAM.1996.488.060.024).jpg. On 26 January, HMA-369s very unique and successful hunter-killer operations were terminated to prepare for the upcoming Operation ENDSWEEP. and again ranged along that long embattled The attached units were HMM-163 (H-34s), HMM-262 (H-46As) and VMO-6 (UH-1Es). and troop concentrations in enemy territory Ordered to the Pacific, Princeton supported landings at New Guinea, Saipan, and participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. On 21 Jul, all CH-46As were grounded for application of air and fuel filters because of excessive sand ingestion. The first mounting of 30 cal. As he passed under the nose, he looked up, grinned, gave a big thumbs up and could be heard to say: Thanks for coming down and saving my life! Only after that did John see that the Marines right leg was missing from the knee down. Marine helos, including HMM-164, provided massive support to Marines dug in throughout Leatherneck Square in northeast I Corps. Advertisement. On 11 Oct, HMM-261 replaced HMM-163 as the SLF squadron and the USS Valley Forge (LPH 8) replaced the USS Iwo Jima. Despite the ever-present threat of additional mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on six separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts. Helicopter operations were resumed for the remainder of the night. "Cherokee" strikes against supply and on 7 September got underway for San Diego. HMM-363 was located at Da Nang. On 16 June DET, HMA-369 arrived at the 9th MAB with AH-1J Sea Cobra gunships to commence Marine Hunter-killer operations (MarHuk) against small boat traffic ferrying cargo from merchant ships to landing sites off the North Vietnamese coast. HMM-163 (UH-34Ds) relieved HMM-365 on 18 Feb. HMM-365s aircraft, on board the USS Princeton were transferred to HMM-162 on 9 Mar. she participated in "Beacon Star" Many of the Marines in these squadrons had served multiple tours in-country fighting the North Vietnamese and questioned that they would now in effect be working in cooperation with their former enemies. cvs) during the vietnam conflict. In the early years, armor for H-34s, other than self-sealing fuel cells, and their crews did not formally exist. and departed again 3 July XXL flak jackets suddenly became a high fashion item. HMH-462 departed RVN with MAG-36 on 20 Oct. HMH-463 stayed at MMAF with H-53Ds. A helicopter, possibly a Sikorsky R-5, lands on the deck of USS Princeton (CV-37), 5 December 1947. On 4 Mar, 14 helicopters from HMM-261, HMM-364 and VMO-6 were heavily damaged during a troop lift of the 1st ARVN Airborne and 2/7 in support of Operation UTAH by intense anti-aircraft fire (numerous 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine guns). HMM-261 relieved HMM-162 on 8 Jun , continuing the building of combat experience in the helicopter community. This is a list of (561) Princeton Shipmates from 1945-1970 signed on to THIS Website. e trans peninsula line. uss princeton cvl23 war damage report no. HMH-463 flew 99 attack sorties on 7 Jun, dropping 400 tons on a ridgeline southwest of DaNang with spectacular results. MajGen William Thrash (CG,1st MAW) introduced this innovation after recommendation by the Youngdale Board. She was decommissioned in 1970, and sold for scrap in 1971. Stingray teams from 1st Force Recon were inserted by UH-1Es from VMO-2 along suspected enemy avenues of approach. Personal Comments Page 2 - USS Princeton (CV-37) - US Navy - Korean War Project - Almost three thousand units pages are available at the Korean War Project. ProvMag 39 was deactivated 31 Oct. On 7 Nov, the MAG 36 command group left Phu Bai for Okinawa. Clausen had removed his helmet and was unable to hear the order. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-417143. USS Oriskany 115671020689 At 1420 on 29 April, Operation FREQUENT WIND commenced. In May, her helicopters lifted Marines to the DMZ to block enemy forces withdrawing across the Bn Hi River. she was back off the Korean coast and until the end of the conflict launched planes for close ai Inside were many armed and equally surprised VC. and against road traffic. cold road from the Chosin Reservoir to Hungnam. Major operations took place along the DMZ, in the Da Krong Valley, and on Charlie Ridge southwest of Da Nang. she operated in Japanese and Chinese waters The corpsman soon became exhausted and Penn attempted to carry the man by himself. HMMs 263, 362, 163 and 361 rotated through SLF A during the year. 27 July On 28 January, at 0800, the final cease-fire was observed. A temporary SLF was organized from 2 Oct 8 Nov as a reserve with BLT 3/3 and HMM-163 during primary SLF maneuvers in the Philippines. On 1 January, USMC personnel in the RVN totaled 76,616 men. Other airfields in use in I Corps were Dong Ha, Khe Sanh, An Hoa and Tam Ky. Last edited on 11 February 2023, at 02:34, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Princeton_(CV-37)&oldid=1138696667, 4 single 5 inch (127 mm)/38 caliber guns, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 02:34. The wing stations carried 19 shot 2.75 in rockets, flares, CBU-55 (FAE) weapons or 150 gal. The fourth USS Princeton (CVL-23) was a United States Navy Independence -class light aircraft carrier active in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Capable of transporting a battalio PRINCETON USS was an American aircraft carrier and was one of the six US warships sunk in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval engagement since Jutland. On 24 Sep HMM-362 relieved HMM-363 as the SLF squadron. On 28 Feb, 1973, after modifying all 15 of their H-53s, conducting AMCM training for all of their own crews plus those of HMM-165 and HMH-462, who were being held in reserve; and enduring numerous green side/brown side out drills caused by the political environment, HMH-463 and HMM-165 deployed to the Grand Norway Island area outside of Haiphong Harbor with the rest of TF 78. MACV directed that HMM-364 transfer their H-34s to the VNAF 217th Squadron in May, and prepare to depart Vietnam by 30 Jun. MajGen Raymond G. Davis, CG, 3rd MarDiv, believed in a more mobile posture regarding the usage of helicopter assets to insert troops. top. At the beginning of the year, MAG-16 at MMAF had HML-167 (UH-1Es), HML-367 (AH-1Gs), HMMs 263 and 364 (CH-46Ds), HMH-361 (H-53As) and 463 (H-53Ds) and VMO-2 (OV-10As). In rockets, flares, CBU-55 ( FAE ) weapons or 150 gal 24 Sep HMM-362 relieved HMM-363 the. Task Group 38.3, Princeton carried 23 fighters and 10 torpedo bombers 31 Oct. on Nov. 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