Videos

Maj. Stephen W. Pless commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant in 1959. When he arrived in Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam as a captain, he would be given the chance to become the only Marine aviator of that conflict to receive the Medal of Honor. Pless, with the support of his crew, would disregard their own safety to save the lives of others--using their aircraft as a shield between an overwhelming Viet Cong force and four wounded U.S. Soldiers. During his tour in Vietnam, Pless was with Marine Observation Squadron 6, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Natalie Dillon)

The 8th of August marks the 10th year anniversary of the UH-1Y Venom being declared operationally capable by the U.S. Marine Corps. The UH-1Y enables Marines to respond to natural disasters and any combat situation rapidly and effectively. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Austin Weck)

The Bell UH-1Y Venom "The Huey" is a combat-proven utility helicopter slated to support the U.S. Marine Corps global missions for the next four decades. The Huey engages threats, delivers or exfiltrate personnel and performs under the most punishing operating conditions, making it the ultimate tactical utility helicopter. The UH-1Y Venom was first deployed with the U.S. Marine Corps in 2009. The Huey lineage can be traced back to combat action in Vietnam, but today’s UH-1Y is a thoroughly modern aircraft. The UH-1Y is generations ahead of its predecessors in terms of effectiveness, performance, and safety. The Huey operates in the most extreme environments, from Arctic cold to desert heat. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Andy O. Martinez)

After it's inception, July 7, 1941, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing has been a vital asset to the American people. Premiering new capabilities constantly, 1st MAW has played a role in every major theater of war since World War II. After 77 years of dedicated service, 1st MAW takes pause only for a moment to note their accomplishments before moving forward to continue supporting the mission-- whatever it may be. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Natalie Dillon)

Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, the first complete Marine air group to be transported by sea to a combat zone, launched from the USS Princeton to the shores of Vietnam, Sept. 1, 1965. Immediately, they began providing troop lifts, air strikes, medical evacuation, resupplies, and reconnaissance insertions and extractions in the southern area of operations. MAG-36 flew daily in support of Marines on the ground. Meanwhile, while many U.S. and South Vietnamese forces celebrated the Tet holiday, tens of thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers, Viet Cong guerrillas and local communist militants moved under the cover of night. Their objective was to simultaneously attack more than 100 U.S. and South Vietnamese occupied cities and bases. In the early hours of Jan. 31, 1968, the Communist-led Tet Offensive was in full force.