12-339 Garand picture of the Day

Operation Shufly, circa 1962
From the Archie J. Clapp Collection (COLL/742), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections

OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH




Operation Shufly, circa 1962
From the Archie J. Clapp Collection (COLL/742), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections

OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH

U.S. Marine helicopter squadrons began four month rotations through Vietnam as part of Operation SHUFLY on 15 April 1962. Six days later, they performed the first helicopter assault using U.S. Marine helicopters and ARVN troops. After April 1963, as losses began to mount, U.S. Army UH-1 Huey gunships escorted the Marine transports. The VC again used effective counter landing techniques and in Operation Sure Wind 202 on 27 April 1964, 17 of 21 helicopters were hit and three shot down.