MCRD San Diego Museum

Congratulations to Alpha Company, America's newest United States Marines!

Welcome families and friends of Alpha Company! The MCRD San Diego Museum is free and open for you to visit from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.

Congratulations to Mike Company, America's newest United States Marines!

Welcome families and friends of Mike Company! The MCRD San Diego Museum is free and open for you to visit from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.

29-30 April 1975: Operation FREQUENT WIND

The fall of Saigon and ultimately South Vietnam, was imminent. After the withdrawal of American combat units in 1973, South Vietnamese control of their own nation steadily decreased as the North Vietnamese Army relentlessly attacked and won territory. On 29 April, before the capital, Saigon, was taken by the North Vietnamese Army, the United States launched a full-scale evacuation of the remaining Americans and South Vietnamese that sought refuge at the U.S. embassy, where Marines provided security and evacuation assistance.

The evacuation, Operation FREQUENT WIND, was conducted by 7th Fleet Amphibious Group One, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, and others. After the evacuation of Americans and refugees from the area (7,000 total), Marines were the last on site within the embassy walls, protecting and providing security for the operation. A Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter evacuated the last 11 Marines from the embassy just before the official fall of Saigon.

We honor the Marines, Sailors, and Airmen involved in Operation FREQUENT WIND for their heroic efforts and steadfast commitment in evacuating the last Americans and as many South Vietnamese as possible.

For additional information on Operation Frequent Wind, visit the MCRD San Diego Museum.

Photos:

1. A Marine holding a Vietnamese baby during the evacuation, (1975)

2. A detachment of Marines assigned to the U.S. merchant ship GREENPORT evacuating refugees from South Vietnam, (1975)
All photos courtesy of the MCRD San Diego Museum Archives and Reference Center.

Congratulations to America's Newest United States Marines, the Marines of Hotel Company!

Welcome families and friends of Hotel Company! The MCRD San Diego Museum is free and open for you to visit from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.

Operation SHUFLY

OTD # April 15, 1962, Operation SHUFLY, the first large-scale deployment of Marines into Vietnam, was launched.

As the military situation in South Vietnam worsened during the end of 1961, the U.S. increased its aid. After three Army helicopter companies were sent to assist the South Vietnamese, the Marines proposed that a Marine Corps squadron deploy. On March 19, 1962, the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved this request and appointed Major General John P. Condon to select the Marine Corps squadron for deployment.

General Condon chose HMM-362, one of the squadrons stationed at Okinawa, to be deployed as the vertical assault element of the operation. Operation SHUFLY began at dawn on April 15. The first elements of HMM-362 landed at Soc Trang on schedule and soon began their primary objective: transporting South Vietnamese troops into and out of battle via helicopter.

During Operation SHUFLY, which lasted until March 1965, the Marine Corps was able to identify numerous areas of improvement for the further development of helicopter warfare. Some enhancements included additional armor, mounted machine guns, new flight clothing and body armor for the crew. The strategy of fast reaction was refined and allowed for helicopters to rapidly respond to a sighting of the enemy in ways previously not possible.

Operation SHUFLY was significant because it was a large expansion of the support that the United States provided to its South Vietnamese allies. It was also the first large-scale deployment of Marines in the Vietnam War. The operation provided the Marine Corps with a tactical preview as to how the expanding war in Vietnam would be fought.

1. ARVN soldiers disembark from a Marine helicopter
2. Marine helicopters unloading ARVN troops at landing zone
3. ARVN soldiers on standby in landing zone
4. Marine Corps helicopters on the ground during Operation SHUFLY
5. Marine helicopters preparing to land

All photos courtesy of the Marine Corps History Division, from the Archie J. Clapp Collection.

Due to heightened security measures, passes for the general public to visit the MCRD San Diego Museum have been suspended. For questions regarding base access, please contact MCRD San Diego's Pass and ID office at (619) 524-4200.