This Military Service Page was created/owned by
LtCol James Watson (JE Watson)
to remember
Marine CWO4 Jim McDonald (Gunner Mac).
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Last Address Newark
Date of Passing Sep 08, 2009
Location of Interment Alexandria National Cemetery (VA) - Alexandria, Virginia
Currently member of the USCG Auxiliary - San Francisco Sector - and involved in recreational boating safety and support to Coast Guard units at CG Island, Alameda, CA. Qualified Vessel Examiner, ICS Level 5 Commander and working on other designations. A worthwile organization for those actually looking for a mission. Many retired military and former military as well as civilians. Currently on Health leave to deal with other issues. Keeping up with grandkids and a great grandchild and enjoying life.
Other Comments:
Other involvement includes Marine Corps Mustang Officer Assn., American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation,Military Officers of America Association, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Association,Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps Reserve Association and Marine For Life (M4L) Mentor.
Description Operation Shufly was from 9 Apr 1962 through 30 November 1964. Marine Task Unit 79.3.5, code named SHUFLY was the first Marine Task Unit to provide air support during the Vietnam War beginning in 1962. The tasking represented the first large unit commitment of a Marine unit to Vietnam during the anti-communist struggle in Southeast Asia.
The mission was to provide assault support, offensive air support and air reconnaissance, with primary objective being troop lift and resupply to United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (USMACV) and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces engaged in combat operations. The challenges experienced while in Soc Trang established tactics and procedures still used by Marine helicopter units today.
HMM-362 (Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron) and Marine Air Base Squadron 16, Sub Unit 2 were the first units to deploy in Operation SHUFLY. New squadrons rotated in approximately every four months until 1965 when the United States' involvement in Vietnam drastically increased. Each squadron was deployed on a four-month rotation with four months in Okinawa, Japan, four months aboard ship and four months in Vietnam. The SHUFLY rotation included:
USMC Squadron Time of Rotation
MABS-16, Sub Unit 2 9 Apr 1962 – 30 Nov 1964
HMM-362 9 Apr 1962 – 31 Jul 1962
HMM-163 1 Aug 1962 – 11 Jan 1963
HMM-162 12 Jan – 6 Jun 1963, 1 Jul – 7 Oct 1964
HMM-261 7 Jun 1963 – 30 Sep 1963
HMM-361 1 Oct 1963 – 31 Jan 1964
HMM-364 1 Feb 1964 – 30 Jun 1964
HMM-365 8 Oct 1964 – 30 Nov 1964
As a direct result of SHUFLY, the Marine Corps gained valuable experience and knowledge in the tactics of helicopter troop lifts that would prove beneficial in later combat operations involving American troops.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1963
To Month/Year
November / 1964
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember No direct combat operations as involved in support role aboard USS Princeton LPH-5. Marine Air Det supporting Marine Helicopter Squadrons delivered to Vietnam and retrieved. Delivered first Marine Helo Squadron HMM 362 into Soc Trang on April 15, 1962. Returned to Vietnam numerous times in support of Operation Shufly. Also participated in Operation Tolungan with Thailand in 1962.
Memories Ship also carried parts of floating battalion and a Helicopter Squadron HMM 261 on board at all times. Time spent in waters qualified crew for VSM and VCM.