Squadron Members, Family & Friends,
The VMO-6 Exhibit Working Group members Steve Wilson, Dave Bushlow, David Schoenherr, Jerry Gonzalez & Ed Kufeldt have developed the following squadron design proposal for the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM). It is provided for your review and comments before sending to BGen Aguilar, President and CEO of FLAM. If you have comments, especially your input on "what's missing," please email me by July 20th.
Proposed Design Elements of the Marine Corps Observation Squadron Six (VMO-6) FLAM Exhibit
1. Stephen W. Pless Medal of Honor (MOH) Display
The replicated UH-1E, WB-15, with guns and rockets are fully integrated with the VMO-6 exhibit.
Four mannequins in the aircraft are wearing full combat gear ready to execute a mission.
A raised platform about waist high close to the aircraft with a picture of Major Stephen W. Pless with the MOH.
Picture of President Johnson presenting the MOH to Major Pless, picture of the four crew members with their names; Capt Stephen W, Pless, Capt Rupert E. Fairfield, GySgt Leroy N. Poulson, & LCpl John G. Phelps.
Plaque with citation of Pless' MOH.
Small plaque stating "Major Pless was the only USMC Aviator in Vietnam to be awarded the MOH."
Small plaque stating "The Pless MOH and three crew members each awarded the Navy Cross are highest awards of any aircrew in USMC history."
Plaque of the three aircrew names with an aggregated Navy Cross citation.
2. VMO-6 Colors, Honors with Steamers
On the ground floor near the aircraft, a standing mannequin in a flight suit wearing a VMO-6 cap, flight jacket with various squadron patches, and holding the staff of colors, honors with streamers: reference: A History of Marine Observation Squadron Six, HQMC, 73 page monograph Appendix C.
Positioned by the mannequin a large plaque with listing of designate campaigns reflected in each honor/streamer.
3. Appropriate Size Banner without individual names:
Marine Observation Squadron Six (VMO-6).
Naval Aviator and Aircrew Wings.
Pictures of squadron patches (insignias) throughout history (reference: A History of Marine Observation Squadron Six, HQMC, 73 page monograph Appendix E.
Activated 1920 -- Deactivated 1977
4. Significant & Distinguished Facts Separately Displayed throughout Exhibit on Small Plaques
Squadron was activated in 1920 as Flight E, 3d Air Squadron, redesignated as VO-6M in 1927, then became VMO-6 in 1944.
During 1931 to 1933 the squadron flew the F8C-5/O2C-1 "Helldivers" organized into a six plane demonstration team similar to today's Blue Angels.
During its history, VMO-6 participated in more combat operations than any other USMC squadron.
In 1928 the Squadron participated in defending the Nicaragua government from the Sandinista rebels, WWII supported the Okinawa Campaign, and totally engaged in Korea and Vietnam wars.
The first U.S. Military Unit to fly helicopters in combat (Korea).
Deployed to Korea 11 months before a Marine transport squadron.
In Korea the first assigned helicopters didn't have instrument lights and pilots used flashlight to monitor gauges at night.
Throughout its history, VMO-6 had 19 different assigned aircraft; 14 fixed wing and 5 helicopters.
Plaque with six names of Navy Cross Awardees.
5. Small Models of Aircraft Flown in Combat Displayed throughout Exhibit
OC-1 "Falcon" (Nicaragua 1928)
OY-1 "Sentinel" (WWII) & Korea
HO3S-1 & HO5S-1 (Korea)
HTL-4 (Korea)
OE-1 "Bird Dog" (Korea & Vietnam)
UH-1E "Iroquois" (Vietnam)
OV-10A "Bronco" (Vietnam)
6. Assortment of Pictures with Captions on Medium Size Boards
WWII and prior aircraft and squadron members.
Korean War and era between and after aircraft and squadron members.
Vietnam aircraft and squadron members.
7. Remembering VMO-6 Members Who Died for their Country in Combat Operations
Two standing boards medium size but connected on an angle, one side 36 names from Vietnam war, other side pictures of each person including their name.
Medium size plaque with 3 names from Nicaragua, 5 from WWII, 22 from Korea.
8. UK Bird 18 Project -- Furthering Legacy after VMO-6 Deactivation
Two standing boards medium size but connected on an angle, one board who, what, why & where, other board has pictures of aircraft and public displays in the UK.
9. Two Video Setups with Remote Selection of Options for Visitors to Select
History of VMO-6 made by Larry and son Wayne Wright.
Capt John Arick's extraction of Duckbill Reconn Team in Vietnam.
Narration of Steve Pless and Aircrew mission.
Bob Whaley's interview on seeing pink elephants on OV-10 reconn flight in Vietnam.
Bird 18 walkaround with sounds of engine starting and rotors going to full RPM.
Video with narration of pictures of squadron aircraft and members in Vietnam & Korea.
TBD -- Selection of various videos on https://www.youtube.com/@Bird18VMO-6.
Note to squadron members. The working group has not completely settled on videos to be made to fully portray our story in Vietnam and your support is requested. If you have videos or pictures you would like to share, please send them to me and copies will be made and returned if you like. For example, Dave Schoenherr recently sent me a thumb drive of the pictures he took in Vietnam and a lot of them can be used with one being significant. Attached is a picture of a UH-1E firing all rockets that are each visible in the smoke ahead of the aircraft. I remember seeing a picture of an OV-10A firing a 5-inch Zuni Rocket that is seen traveling ahead of the aircraft. If you have that photo, I would appreciate getting a copy if fired from a squadron aircraft.
Donations are still needed
Thanks to all who have contributed to our goal of $150K, especially to those who have made multiple donations. However, we still need approximately $35K. As mentioned last month, the replicated Steve Pless aircraft when integrated into our exhibit will make a tremendous impact on the display and the extra funds will ensure that BGen Augilar doesn't cancel his idea to transport and restore the UH-1E that is currently in Dayton, Ohio. By raising the $50K above our initial goal of $100K should mandate him to keep his promise.
List of Donors and made in Memory or Honor: (If a number is included with a name it refers to the number of donations made by that person.) The
BGen John Arick
John Boden
Steve Wilson
John Sullivan (3)
Richard Ethier
KD Waters (8)
Pete Rounseville (2)
Ed Kufeldt (6) In Memory of LtGen William "Bill" Maloney & LtGen William "Bill" White. Bobby Galbreath, Paul Jensen, Jimmy Tolliver, & Harry Schneider all UH-1E aircrew KIA 16 FEB 1968. Larry Wright & Tom Ward
Michael A. Bilyk (friend of Dave Schoenherr)
Jerry Gonzalez In Memory of Uncle Rudy Gonzalez, KIA 14 NOV 1966
Jose Leal
Dave Schoenherr
Lance Reinke (4) In Memory of Heroes of VMO-6 who gave so much during Vietnam
Bob Whaley
William Mohilla (2) In Memory of Capt Norman K. Billipp (Pilot O-1) & Maj John R. Hagan (AO O-1)
Klaus Hille
Len Porzio
Robert "Todd" Todt In Memory of his father Col Donald C. Todt, USAF (Ret),
Pilot & participated in WWII, Korea & Vietnam
Mike Fallon
Virgle McVey
Art Friend (3) In Memory of Monty Tennes, Lou Sessinger & Robert "Bubba" Ritorto
Pete Greene
David Tunmire
Thom "Sundown" Leonard In Memory of James "Swampy" LeJeune
Joe Turner
Mary Croft In memory of Rodney Croft
David Steele
James Owens
Bruce & Sharon Ross
Currently $114,867 has been gifted by 46 donations, but by only 27 people.
Since last month's status report, $3,900 have been donated by 3 new people and 5 repeat donors and some have given multiple times.
These are some details on total donations of $500 or more made by an individual: $41,567 (sale of stock), $32,250, $25,000, $5,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500 (2), $1,000 (2), $800, $700, $500(2)
Here's how to donate:
Donations can be made by going directly to https://donorbox.org/vmo-6-campaign.
On this webpage indicate your donation amount.
The second page is "choose a payment option" and six different ways are listed. Sending a check is not listed but it is another option.
Checks should be made payable to Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and sent to P. O. Box 50663, Irvine, CA 92619. Check memo line should indicate "For VMO-6 Campaign." Although not mentioned when sending a check, I would suggest making a copy of page 1 after indicating the donation amount and completing the comment box, writing your email and mailing address on the paper, and sending it with your check. By providing this information you should receive a receipt.
The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c) charitable organization.
Take-a-ways
Provide comments on the proposed items in the FLAM VMO-6 Exhibit by July 20th.
Make a financial donation in support of developing the museum squadron exhibit.
Semper Fidelis,
Ed Kufeldt
8200 Chancery Ct.
Alexandria, VA 22308
ed@kufeldt.com
(703) 250-1514
1022646.jpeg
Page updated: 21 July 2025 13:20