784:(300 m). They were found dead by Major Bruce Meyers, their skulls were crushed and helmets gone due to the drag. Lieutenant Kenneth Ball, the jumpmaster in the stick, was knocked unconscious and wasn't able to attempt the quick-release; he later died at the Camp Pendleton hospital from multiple intrusions. The marines in the reconnaissance platoon were using the standard military-issued T-10 parachutes. One of the findings were that the T-10 safety "quick-release" on the front of the harness made it quite impossible to detach in case of emergencies, even after frequent practice by the parachutists. Dirt and small rocks fouled the quick-releases while the harnesses were dragged at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) over the ground, making them ineffective.
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ultimately led to the "HALO" (high altitude low opening) project which was a success thanks to Istel's personal involvement on active duty and the use of blank-gore lines-first deployment parachutes from his company, Parachutes
Incorporated (NYS). In 1957, PI was also entrusted with training the US Army in free-fall parachuting, providing them with an instructor, Daryl Henry, also an architect. Istel later commanded VTU 1-1, the only Reserve Recon unit. (References below)
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had a simple visual sight that was intended for aiming either the lower edge, bottom red lens, indicating a too-low descent; the middle green lens, indicating a perfect elevation and/or descend; and the upper, top amber lens, indicating that the pilot must increase his rate of descend so as not to overshoot the landing zone (LZ). If the pilot saw "red", he were to decrease his rate of descend and immediately climb up until he was back into the "green".
827:. However, Bruce Meyers was the only Marine within MCTU #1 that had parachutist experience and qualifications and recognized the perils of not being prepared for airborne school. Through their recommendation, Meyers and Taylor were able to construct its own 'pre-jump school' to prepare Marines for the course; this prevented the loss of Marines that became unqualified due to the Test Unit's training quota.
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plus extra scrutiny of the aircraft, they attached dummies with the appropriate weight and gear and tested its use. Major Meyers, CWO Lew Vinson and two other NPU parachute engineers made the first live jumps from the TF-1 carrier aircraft on 9–13 July 1956. They began to test later jumps with the TF-1 by wearing additional combat gear, including weapons, packs and the AN/GRC9 radio.
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328:(P&D) Section was formed in April 1955 to evaluate the trials and tests of the infantry battalion and other subordinated unit's experiments with MCTU #1. Major Bruce F. Meyers reported for duty and was initially assigned as the assistant operations officer of the infantry battalion. He was subsequently redesignated as the Helicopter Assault Airborne Techniques Officer.
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the same despite the title change. After setting up the
Standing Operating Procedure for Test Unit 1, Major Meyers and the Test Unit's executive officer, Lieutenant Colonel Fuller, prepared a detailed recommendation to their commanding officer, Colonel Rydalch, and to the commandant for approval of forming and training a reconnaissance platoon for MCTU #1.
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planned helicopter landing zones. A simulated nuclear weapon was to be detonated between the two helicopter landing zones at 0810 the same day, prior to the planned pathfinder drop and following after helicopter landings of a battalion of marines. The mock atomic bomb was made of 55 US gal (210 L) barrels of
525:, who requested that Meyers write a letter to the commandant, outlining the plans and thoughts on deeper reconnaissance and pathfinding. With Chesty Puller's endorsement, the commandant directed Meyers to attend parachutists' schools. Meyers spent two weeks on Temporary Additional Duty orders to the Naval Parachute Loft on
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recon
Marines were experimenting. By the next year, Major Bruce Meyers, Captain Joe Taylor, Sergeant Robert Zweiner and several others of the 'more-qualified' Marines parachutists within the test unit's recon platoon subsequently became qualified as "Naval Test Parachutists" after completing the twenty-two jump syllabus.
541:, and the parachute and jumpmaster courses. Upon completion, he was directed to report to the Marine Corps Test Unit #1 to test his ideas of deep parachute entry in use with reconnaissance. Major Bruce F. Meyers reported to MCTU #1 in early April 1955 and was immediately assigned as the assistant operations officer.
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Exercise Desert Rock VI also concluded tests in the effects of the atomic blast on their equipment and
Marines on the ground. Equipment and mannequins were placed in different locations of varying distances from ground zero, all displayed in different degrees of protection. After the detonation and
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A significant figure that revolutionized the modern scope of the marine corps reconnaissance doctrine was (then-) Captain Bruce F. Meyers. Prior to his assignment with the test unit, Meyers was a combat swimming instructor and also the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the
Amphibious Reconnaissance School,
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The MCTU #1 reported to the
Commandant of the Marine Corps that they had proven and tested its capability in full operational methods of insertion for deeper pre-assault and post-assault parachute reconnaissance. It would supplement the already existing methods of amphibious reconnaissance of areas
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The only difficulty was that the TF-1 Trader never in the past had foreseen its use in parachute deployment, modifications were made to the bombing bay chutes by mounting anchor-line cables to allow parachutists to hook up their static lines. After a thorough review of aerial and still photography,
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were assigned to oversee the overall conduct of the jumps performed. The most important aspect of this training was the jumpmaster's judgment, determining the exit points that would best get his
Marines into the LZ, and to judge the winds appropriately both on the ground and aloft. Eventually, all
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and integrate its research and development, merging their roles into the amphibious reconnaissance companies. Major Bruce F. Meyers relieved
Captain Michael Spark as the commanding officer of 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company on 18 June 1957. The next day, 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company
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The helicopter crew and the Test Unit's recon platoon cross-trained in a series of day-and-night trial and error tests. They used the emergency SE-11 signal lights and the
Justrite, a three-colored high-intensity beam used to guide pilots onto aircraft carriers during night landings. The Justrite
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was tested operationally for parachute entry in reconnaissance, the Recon
Platoon assembled and trained as pathfinder teams; designed to parachute in, set up, and operate one helicopter landing zone consisting of one or more landing points for individual helicopters. Many of the pathfinder methods
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in the Test Unit were first being tested in April 1953. The Marine Corps Test Unit #1's concept of pathfinder methods were; to develop techniques for undetected movement from their drop zones (DZ) to the preselected helicopter landing sites and approach-lane control points, coordination timing for
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were turned upside-down, and the mannequins in the open were vaporized. However, the distance from ground zero and the additional level of protection proved noteworthy. The tactical exercise that they had successfully demonstrated gave the Marine Corps a survivability estimate and an appreciation
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Three parachutist Marines were killed during SKI JUMP on January 17 at Case Springs, a high plateau and wooded area on Camp Pendleton. Severe winds suddenly appeared while the parachutists were in their descent. Corporal Ben Simpson and PFC Matthew J. O'Neill Jr., were dragged over 1,000 ft
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reconnaissance, and later pathfinding, for the upcoming helicopter assault waves. Thirty days prior to the scheduled landing, or D-Day minus thirty (D-30), the reconnaissance platoon was divided into two separate reconnaissance teams and parachuted into two separated drop zones to reconnoiter the
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Escape and Evasion course; originally designed for pilots that faced the possibility of being shot over enemy territory. It became a reasonable conclusion that reconnaissance marines would be operating deep behind enemy lines and would require such training. After MCTU #1 had been dissolved, the
544:
By May 1955, Major Meyers was reassigned to the P&D as the "Reconnaissance/Pathfinder Project Officer", until his title was initially changed to "Helicopter Assault Airborne Techniques Officer" to reflect the test unit's heliborne capabilities within the infantry battalion; his duties remained
207:
to develop special tactics, techniques and organizational concepts for the nuclear age; however, it had to remain under operational control of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. On 1 July 1955, Commandant Shepherd approved his staff's recommendation and activated Marine Corps Test Unit #1, near
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aircraft, whose primary mission was the consignment of personnel, mail, and critical parts for the naval carrier vessel itself. It was capable of launching off every size of naval carrier, even its smallest, in the United States Fleet. Detachments of VR-5 were dispersed worldwide everywhere US
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The recon Marines would jump on average two- to three-times daily testing various types of parachutes, which soon became apparent by both MCTU #1 and NPU that the Marine should also try to become 'navy test parachutists' due to the increased sophisticated and variant types of free-fall jumps the
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companies and was created to be employed exclusively in the training, testing, and exercises designed to validate reconnaissance theories and techniques of an all-helicopter assault. These were applied to the higher levels in the echelon in addition to use at the battalion or regimental landing
1108:, they were close enough to be extracted by submarine or seaplane. However, since Marines were going to be penetrating and inserting deeper into enemy territory, it was time to develop practical means in overland evasion techniques to reach the availed recovery that is coherently from the sea.
1065:
In September 1956, Recon Platoon of MCTU #1 tested their pathfinding capabilities, the "first" operational use of Marine pathfinders in the Marine Corps. In preparation for the Air-Ground Landing Exercises (AGLEX) 57-E that was to be scheduled for early 1957, a pathfinder team parachuted into
763:
In 1956 Free Fall parachuting was illegal in the United States Armed Forces. Reserve captain Jacques-Andre Istel, USMCR, who had led a civilian team to the 1956 World parachuting Championships in Moscow, wrote to HQMC recommending the use of free fall parachuting for reconnaissance. The letter
715:
fallout cleared, the marines from the infantry battalion, Marine Corps Test Unit #1, were taken and shown the effects of their equipment and mannequins. The after-action report with the photographs that were taken before and after photographs revealed that their tanks had turrets blown off,
500:
In April 1955, Colonel Edward Rydalch created a separate Plans and Development Section in an effort to author staff studies for various tests by the subordinated units of marine corps Test Unit #1 and make evaluations and reports to the commandant on their progress. Colonel Rydalch assumed
842:(PLFs), body positioning and positive exits from aircraft. All of them were able to pass the pull-up physicals and complete the long runs; by the time the Test Unit's recon Marines were sent to the actual school, they were well-prepared and everyone passed the course, each earning their
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additional duties as the titular head of the P&D Section. He assigned Lieutenant Colonels Regan Fuller and Chuck Bailey as the executive officers and supervisors of the daily tests and evaluations that were to be generated by P&D. The section operated much like a subsidiary to
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The Reconnaissance Platoon, Marine Corps Test Unit #1, of some twenty marines was established in September 1955 after the approval of the commandant, by the recommendation of the P&D Section and the commanding officer of MCTU #1. The Reconnaissance Platoon was the precursor to the
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Important among the reconnaissance and pathfinder elements were to improve the existing methods of post-reconnaissance evasion and recovery of the reconnaissance and pathfinder teams. It was already logical that if the recon teams were on, or near, the littoral areas of an
193:
to rapidly transport companies and battalions into the combat zone. However the Marine Corps didn't have enough helicopters nor the individual helicopter lift capability at that time to employ the tactics needed to implement Colonel Cushman's concept of dispersion.
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70 miles at sea and dropped four Marines on a desert drop zone in the vicinity of El centro, some 100 miles inland. The Marines from Recon Platoon, MCTU #1, Major Bruce Meyers, 1stLt. Donald E. Koelper (later killed in combat as a captain, receiving the first
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was activated on 19 June 1957 with Bruce F. Meyers as its first commanding officer. Captain Joseph Z. Taylor was his executive officer. Although the MCTU #1 no longer existed, Major Meyers continued to pursue more unique methods in insertion capabilities.
807:. Six army parachutists had been recently killed at Fort Bragg in the same manner as the unfortunate marines at Case Springs. Because of these deaths, it led to the recommendation and requirement of adopting the Capewell Release by all the services.
1458:
619:
Lieutenant Colonel Regan Fuller tasked both Bruce Meyers and Joseph Taylor to seek innovative ways in finding practical aircraft, equipment, and methods to enhance and develop the emerging deep reconnaissance capability in the marine corps.
917:. The jump logs for MCTU #1 and the first twenty months of 1st Force Recon has shown various types of parachutes and different carrier-based aircraft that had been experimented in finding alternative methods parachute entry, such as the
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jumped several times with the Marines of Recon Platoon, Marine Corps Test Unit #1. Capt. Kittinger later made, and still holds, the world-record for the highest free-fall parachute jump from the gondola of a high-altitude balloon.
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but with nominal independence within MCTU #1. It was established in the newly constructed 'Butler Building', dubbed as the "War Room". The building was completely surrounded by barbed wire and had an armed guard on post.
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experiments into a sixty-page after-action report archived as "Test Project 6H". By early June, the recon platoon received the last remaining jumpers from MCTU #1 and were adjoined by several more recon marines from the
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from a TF-1 Trader, established visual and radio aids and guided four helicopters to a designated LZ. It was proved satisfactory in utilizing the procedures and techniques worked out between the pathfinder teams,
244:
General Shepherd appointed Colonel Edward N. Rydalch as the Test Unit's commanding officer and Lieutenant Colonel Regan Fuller as the executive officer over a command of 104 marine officers, 1,412 enlisted, 7
1430:
The "New Yorker" 25 April 1959 Letter dated 19 November 1956 to CMC Code AO2 from Captain Jacques A Istel,057676/0302,USMCR Subject: New technique of reconnaissance Army contract to Parachutes Incorporated
995:), and PFCs Kenneth Bell and Matthew O'Neill (later killed during the Test Unit's parachute training) made the jump. In August 1956, the recon platoon made its first parachute jump from a jet aircraft, the
463:
Around late May in 1957, MCTU #1 finalized all their reports summarizing the last two years of the heliborne assault exercises, nuclear weapons testing, and the recon platoon's parachute reconnaissance and
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landing beaches. The Marines now had the capability of carrier-launching recon teams, day or night, for effecting penetration of enemy radar air defenses and postdrop retirement of the carrier aircraft.
1170:, as well as all police agencies working in the area. The local authorities would simulate enemy patrols; the realism added extreme scrutiny to the trials and tests of the recon platoon's training.
588:
477:
310:
876:, Chief Warrant Officer Lewis "Lew" T. Vinsen, introduced the art of free-falling to the recon platoon. Due to the free exchange and cross-training cooperation in these efforts, on one occasion,
1443:
1453:
815:
Not until April 1956, the Marines in the Recon Platoon were able to gain the necessary quotas to send the recon platoon leader, Captain Joe Taylor, and his twenty enlisted Marines to the
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during Air-Ground Landing Exercise 57-I (AGLEX 57-I) in December 1957, and Operation SKI JUMP in January 1957. During Operation SKI JUMP, the reconnaissance platoon were to provide pre-
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On March 22, 1955, the infantry battalion of MCTU #1 was temporary assigned to the 3rd Marine Corps Provisional Atomic Exercise Brigade, or 3rd MCPAEB, to participate in Exercise
476:
On 18 June 1957, the reconnaissance platoon from the test unit was disbanded and reported to 1st Marine Division, FMF, then to its headquarters battalion to assume command of the
305:
was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Nelson, with Major Willmar "Bill" Bledsoe as the executive officer. It was assigned to test the feasibility of conducting major
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to be picked up the seaplane. The recon platoon even made arrangements with the civilian agencies to create maximum realism to their evasion exercises. They notified the
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at dawn for recovery once they conducted their preliminary pre-D-Day reconnaissance. The recon Marines would traverse by foot 60 mi (97 km) due east through the
864:
Once again, Meyers set up training with a training liaison to send a bulk of the platoon on temporary additional duty on 1 July 1956 to the Naval Parachute Unit (NPU) at
1448:
846:
and returning to MCTU #1. Robert Zweiner was quickly reassigned and transferred to MCTU #1 to head the test unit's newly formed Parachute Loft, becoming the founder of
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could no longer imagine small-scale operations, recommending the planning for greater mobility and dispersion, and focus entirely on operating more inland from the sea:
1142:
The recon platoon was broken down into four-man recon teams and planned three successive jumps from the TF-1 Trader and two night jumps from the F3-D Skyknight jet. A
1406:
561:
518:. He figured if the aircraft could slow down enough to land on carriers, then they could slow sufficiently for parachutists to exit and deploy their parachutes.
197:
160:
102:
90:
1307:
Edward N. Rydalch, commanding officer of MCTU#1 ltr to Lemuel C. Shepherd, CMC; ‘’Request for Specialized Training for Reconnaissance Platoon’’, Oct 3, 1955
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continued to experiment in newer innovative means in projecting and recovering their recon Marine operators from behind enemy lines safely and efficiently.
965:
Naval carriers were sent. This proved the feasibility of the TF-1, assuring of it being potentially accessible almost virtually anywhere in the world.
179:"The tiny island, the single port, the small area...these will no longer be proper objectives. We must think in terms of 200 miles in width and depth."
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be installed on all the Marines' parachutes, static-line or free-fall, to permit the jumper to get out of the harness if caught in a drag. Later, the
1463:
583:
The test unit's executive officer, Lieutenant Colonel Fuller, personally requested Captain Joseph Z. Taylor, a reconnaissance company commander with
488:. The next day on 19 June 1957, the newly assembled 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company was dissolved, casing its colors for the establishment of
748:
587:, to be the reconnaissance platoon commander. Taylor had served under Lieutenant Colonel Fuller in 1950 when Fuller was the commanding officer of
1285:
Lemuel C. Shepherd, CMC, letter of instruction establishing MCTU #1, dtd 10 August 1954 (copy in Archives Section, Marine Corps Historical Center)
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for 35 months. During his tenure as OIC, he began to develop innovative ideas of deeper parachute insertion methods from aircraft projected from
1167:
677:
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were developed by the recon-pathfinder Marines themselves. Major Bruce Meyers set up a direct liaison with their helicopter counterparts at
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48:
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buried into the ground. The pathfinder teams were scheduled to parachute to their respective drop zones, DZ Yellow and DZ Red, at 0815.
453:
816:
538:
246:
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was still forming above. The battalion simulated their attacks through a buildup of mock trenches and facilities made to resemble a
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helicopters in repetitive troop exercises, making the battalion fully capable of being helicopter transportable by following spring.
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experience. Meyers's next objective were to turn the majority of Marines in the recon platoon to become also free-fall qualified.
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for the development of specialized tactics, techniques and organizational concepts, and to evaluate its tangible employment in the
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1067:
1047:
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A nuclear weapon was detonated simultaneously as the infantry battalion maneuvered within 3,500 yd (3,200 m) away from
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265:
231:
209:
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1051:
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training that was set up through the liaison at the Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Troop Training Unit, Pacific (TTUPac) on
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740:. Another training liaison was established with the Commander of the Naval Air Force, US Pacific Fleet, or COMNAVAIRPAC, at
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511:
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Determine requirements for light-weight weapons and equipment to permit maximum tactical exploitation of nuclear weapons,
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1076:
865:
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470:
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804:
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An air element of a medium helicopter squadron was augmented with three observation helicopters and an additional six
226:
988:
910:
729:
485:
171:
78:
58:
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787:
The Board of Investigations concluded that improvements to their parachutists and equipment were to be provided.
733:
336:
1072:
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961:
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had commenced, that the Marine Corps began to develop heliborne experience in the battlefield when they used
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Evolve operational concepts, transportation requirements, and techniques to enable fast task force ships and
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752:
716:
673:
670:
276:
200:
167:
163:
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1026:
982:
914:
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156:
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the staff non-commissioned officers were jumpmaster qualified after five jumps as Assistant Jumpmasters.
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772:
465:
86:
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One of the highest priorities considered for reconnaissance and pathfinder parachute insertions in the
1132:
1003:
824:
554:
221:
1258:
History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Vol. 6. (Boston, MA: Little Brown, 1961).
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918:
1276:
Edward N. Rydalch, ’’Briefing for SecNav Thomas Gates on Marine Corps Test Unit #1’’, Oct 16, 1956
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parachute jump test in naval aviation history was on July 26, 1956, when the Test Unit arranged a
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203:'s staff realized the Marine Corps was in need of a test unit outside the operationally committed
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340:
284:
204:
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82:
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and spent countless hours examining the Grumman TF-1 Trader. Originally, the TF-1 Trader was a
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element was attached along with administrative and logistic support at the request from nearby
696:
634:
291:
254:
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On 28 March 1957, the pathfinders jumped in Helicopter Landing Exercise IV (HELILEX IV) with
1353:
Annual Report of the Commandant of the Marine Corps to the Secretary of the Navy for FY 1955
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Annual Report of the Commandant of the Marine Corps to the Secretary of the Navy for FY 1955
1112:
881:
831:
741:
681:
665:
646:
515:
1038:, and methods for last-minute emplacement of visual and electronic terminal guidance aids.
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1031:
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110:
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ninety seconds before the Marines were set down. While the Marines were advancing, the
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Develop tactics and techniques responsive to the full employment of nuclear weapons, and
1014:
946:
704:
660:
570:
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295:
1111:
In September 1956, the first training exercises in evasive methods were in the rugged
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Beginning in May 1956, Major Bruce, Captain Taylor and Sergeant Zweiner headed to the
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1318:
Swift, Silent, and Deadly: Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance in the Pacific, 1942—1945
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1096:
996:
938:
922:
708:
522:
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38:
480:. Major Bruce F. Meyers relieved Captain Michael Spark, who was later killed in the
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These long-range, cross-country evasion exercises were copied and exacted from the
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820:
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530:
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318:
148:
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qualified, Major Bruce Meyers was still, however, the only Marine in MCTU #1 with
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suitable for a night parachute drop zone and subsequent helicopter landing zone.
684:. The battalion and its detached aviation elements were involved in Shot 'Bee'.
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about feasible massive amphibious landings over small areas subject to potential
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seaplane was arranged to rendezvous with the teams off the western shore of the
992:
926:
854:
688:
569:. This recon platoon subsequently became the pivotal beginning of the existing
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449:
306:
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Evolve organizational concepts for the marine landing force under conditions of
651:
1421:
Final Summary Report of Marine Corps Test Unit #1 of Period 1Jul55 to 30Jun57,
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1267:
Edward N. Rydalch, CO of MCTU#1 ltr to Lemuel C Shepherd, CMC, May 12, 1955.’’
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1143:
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Early 1955, the four-company infantry battalion trained in wooden mockups of
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Although all the Marines assigned to the Test Unit's recon platoon were now
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314:
272:
123:
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Special operations units and formations of the United States Marine Corps
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Captain Taylor managed to get the services of Sergeant Robert Zweiner, a
792:
608:(ASPP-313) with 3rd Recon Battalion. This allowed Taylor to bring fresh
599:
269:
261:
1391:
Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication, (FMFRP 12-21) (8 March 1990).
691:, acting as an amphibious battalion landing force in the vicinity of a
598:
Taylor recently returned from reconnaissance exercise (RECONEX) 551 at
280:
127:
896:
In the realization of the increasingly sophisticated parachute jumps,
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role in the Fleet Marine Force. It was also tasked to bring the past
953:
777:
767:
The MCTU #1 participated in major exercises with the first assembled
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experiences to the test unit's experimental reconnaissance platoon.
838:. Sgt. Zweiner led a grueling course, instructing the Marines in
728:
The Reconnaissance Platoon of Marine Corps Test Unit #1 conducted
650:
335:, commanded by Captain Joseph Z. Taylor, was added to resolve the
144:
101:
Mission objectives for Marine Corps Test Unit #1 as directed by
521:
Meyers took this 'parachute entry' concept to Brigader General
1423:
Archives Section, Marine Corps Historical Center, Wash., D.C.
732:
training to hone their skills, as well as basic and advanced
452:
to support MCTU #1 during its research and development. A
16:
Experimental testing unit of the United States Marine Corps
872:. Under the instructions of a very highly qualified Navy
1230:
Fortune Favors the Brave: The Story of First Force Recon,
1296:
Marine Corps Test Unit #1, Test Project 6H; Final Report
1256:
Breaking the Bismarck Barrier, 22 July 1942—1 May 1944.
834:
from an Air Delivery Platoon at the nearby airstrip on
1294:
Edward N. Rydalch report to Commandant Randolph Pate,
294:. The Test Unit's Operations (S-3) officer was Major
1177:; it depicted the similar roles in the British film
1168:
United States Immigration and Naturalization Service
155:. In December 1946, Marine Corps instructor Colonel
54:
44:
34:
26:
21:
1241:Robert E. Cushman, "Amphibious Warfare Tomorrow",
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1222:
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1444:Military units and formations established in 1954
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1212:
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1454:Inactive units of the United States Marine Corps
1320:, (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2004).
799:Parachute Board came to the same conclusion at
1013:in their off-carrier parachute jumps from the
913:were to expand its capability in jumping from
676:with active nuclear warheads conducted by the
365:Commanding Officer — Colonel Edward N. Rydalch
1379:Guinness Book of World Records: 1977 Edition,
1366:Inside Force Recon: Recon Marines in Vietnam,
1232:(Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2000).
220:The commandant acted upon that MCTU #1 would
130:, for movement to the objective area and the
8:
1405:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
1330:http://www.aracnet.com/~pdxavets/teapot.htm
1381:(Enfield, CT: Guinness Superlatives, 1978)
143:The two atomic bombs that were dropped on
77:, was an experimental testing unit of the
791:Lewis "Lew" T. Vinson suggested that the
720:for the atomic power of nuclear weapons.
1449:1954 establishments in the United States
744:in enrolling the recon platoon into the
359:
356:
350:towards a modern approach that included
159:wrote an extensive staff report to then-
126:, or a combination of such shipping and
1364:Michael Lee Lanning and Ray W. Stubbe,
1192:
589:2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion
367:Executive Officer — Lieutenant Colonel
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678:United States Atomic Energy Commission
18:
478:1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company
431:75-mm Pack Howitzer Artillery Battery
7:
1017:in "The New Recon Marines" in 1962.
669:. Operation TEAPOT was a series of
346:preliminary amphib recon methods of
309:projected from the sea. Similarly,
229:(FMFPac) and disbanded its colors.
181:—Colonel Robert Cushman, April 1955.
811:Parachutist and jumpmaster training
699:was used, targeting the helicopter
411:Plans & Development Section† —
817:United States Army Airborne School
655:Nevada Test Site, Operation TEAPOT
81:. It was established outside the
14:
1419:MCTU#1 report to the Commandant,
471:1st Marine Division Recon Company
260:The MCTU #1 initially began as a
185:It was not until 1951, after the
1464:American nuclear weapons testing
1343:, 15 August 1955, sec. VI, p. 2.
1025:The development of Marine Corps
848:1st Force Reconnaissance Company
758:1st Force Reconnaissance Company
490:1st Force Reconnaissance Company
266:headquarters and service company
232:1st Force Reconnaissance Company
1368:(New York, NY: Ivy Books, 1989)
1160:Federal Bureau of Investigation
1131:. The recon Marines chose the
1090:Extraction and recovery methods
208:Basilone Road at Camp Horno on
89:. It reported directly to the
1355:, 15 August 1955, enclosure 2.
919:Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars
537:service schools to attend the
317:for coastal projection during
103:Commandant of the Marine Corps
91:Commandant of the Marine Corps
1:
496:Plans and Development Section
354:and helicopter capabilities.
307:'helicopter' landing assaults
1135:, a large, grassy, dried-up
886:Wright Patterson Test Center
769:Marine Air-Ground Task Force
585:3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
473:that became jump qualified.
380:
375:
1164:United States Border Patrol
991:of the Marine Corps in the
954:Air Transport Squadron Five
866:Naval Auxiliary Air Station
717:amphibious tracked vehicles
227:Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
151:demonstrated the threat of
1480:
644:
552:
418:
170:. He envisioned that the
79:United States Marine Corps
59:United States Marine Corps
30:1 July 1954 - 19 June 1957
1084:3rd Battalion 1st Marines
442:
361:Marine Corps Test Unit #1
337:amphibious reconnaissance
225:received orders from the
22:Marine Corps Test Unit #1
1073:Marine Aircraft Group 36
1056:1st Marine Aircraft Wing
980:from VR-5 to depart the
962:carrier onboard delivery
671:tactical nuclear weapons
436:Captain Joseph Z. Taylor
168:tactical nuclear weapons
71:Marine Corps Test Unit 1
1095:close proximity of the
983:USS Bennington (CVA-20)
923:Douglas R4D-6 Skytrains
840:Parachute Landing Falls
793:Capewell canopy release
641:Exercise Desert Rock VI
573:that are maintained at
539:US Army Infantry School
433:Reconnaissance Platoon—
429:4.2-inch Mortar Platoon
427:75-mm Anti-Tank Platoon
331:By September 1955, the
216:Deactivation of MCTU #1
1254:Samuel Eliot Morison,
1180:The Cockleshell Heroes
1030:pathfinder drops with
915:carrier-based aircraft
724:Reconnaissance Platoon
656:
549:Reconnaissance Platoon
533:for one year with the
492:, Fleet Marine Force.
450:Grumman F9F-2 Panthers
333:reconnaissance platoon
157:Robert E. Cushman, Jr.
49:Department of the Navy
927:Lockheed P2V Neptunes
870:El Centro, California
855:low-level static line
789:Chief Warrant Officer
730:ground reconnaissance
654:
523:Lewis "Chesty" Puller
414:Major Bruce F. Meyers
389:(S-1) Administration*
326:Plans and Development
279:; one 75mm anti-tank
1243:Marine Corps Gazette
1119:in a region between
1106:amphibious operation
1004:broadcast journalist
624:Subordinate training
562:Force Reconnaissance
555:Force Reconnaissance
409:(S-9) Civil Affairs*
405:(S-6) Communications
377:Headquarters Company
352:parachute insertions
313:tested the usage of
311:amphib recon Marines
164:Alexander Vandegrift
1156:Chocolate Mountains
1021:Pathfinder training
575:Fleet Marine Force-
529:, then was sent to
423:C (Charlie) Company
393:(S-3) Operations —
275:consisting of four
1377:Norris McWhirter,
1133:Cuyamaca Reservoir
1068:MCB Camp Pendleton
1041:After the Grumman
657:
629:Infantry battalion
535:United States Army
391:(S-2) Intelligence
382:Infantry Battalion
303:Infantry Battalion
289:75mm pack howitzer
210:MCB Camp Pendleton
205:Fleet Marine Force
83:Fleet Marine Force
1316:Bruce F. Meyers,
1228:Bruce F. Meyers,
905:Off-carrier tests
697:Close air support
571:deep recon assets
516:aircraft carriers
446:
445:
438:
425:D (Delta) Company
421:B (Bravo) Company
419:A (Alpha) Company
416:
401:
371:
292:artillery battery
251:hospital corpsmen
198:Marine Commandant
161:Marine Commandant
64:
63:
1471:
1424:
1417:
1411:
1410:
1404:
1396:
1388:
1382:
1375:
1369:
1362:
1356:
1350:
1344:
1338:
1332:
1327:
1321:
1314:
1308:
1305:
1299:
1292:
1286:
1283:
1277:
1274:
1268:
1265:
1259:
1252:
1246:
1239:
1233:
1226:
1113:Laguna Mountains
958:NAS North Island
939:F3D-2 Skyknights
882:Joseph Kittinger
832:parachute rigger
742:NAS North Island
734:amphibious recon
682:Nevada Test Site
666:Operation TEAPOT
647:Operation Teapot
593:MCB Camp Lejeune
527:NAS North Island
503:Operations (G-3)
484:and awarded the
434:
412:
403:(S-4) Logistics*
398:Dewey "Bob" Bohn
394:
364:
357:
296:Dewey "Bob" Bohn
262:regimental-sized
19:
1479:
1478:
1474:
1473:
1472:
1470:
1469:
1468:
1434:
1433:
1428:
1427:
1418:
1414:
1397:
1390:
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1385:
1376:
1372:
1363:
1359:
1351:
1347:
1339:
1335:
1328:
1324:
1315:
1311:
1306:
1302:
1293:
1289:
1284:
1280:
1275:
1271:
1266:
1262:
1253:
1249:
1240:
1236:
1227:
1194:
1189:
1152:Colorado Desert
1092:
1023:
1011:2nd Force Recon
1007:Walter Cronkite
997:F3D-2 Skyknight
947:A-3 Skywarriors
907:
813:
751:School and the
726:
693:nuclear fallout
649:
643:
631:
626:
557:
551:
498:
454:Marine Air Wing
432:
430:
428:
426:
424:
422:
420:
410:
408:
407:(S-8) Finances*
406:
404:
402:
392:
390:
384:
366:
363:
285:4.2-inch mortar
242:
222:case its colors
218:
201:Lemuel Shepherd
153:nuclear warfare
141:
111:nuclear warfare
99:
67:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1477:
1475:
1467:
1466:
1461:
1456:
1451:
1446:
1436:
1435:
1426:
1425:
1412:
1383:
1370:
1357:
1345:
1333:
1322:
1309:
1300:
1298:, 15 June 1957
1287:
1278:
1269:
1260:
1247:
1234:
1191:
1190:
1188:
1185:
1091:
1088:
1052:MCAS Santa Ana
1022:
1019:
1015:A3D Skywarrior
906:
903:
836:Camp Pendleton
812:
809:
725:
722:
705:mushroom cloud
661:Desert Rock VI
645:Main article:
642:
639:
630:
627:
625:
622:
550:
547:
497:
494:
444:
443:
440:
439:
417:
386:
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379:
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241:
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217:
214:
183:
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140:
137:
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135:
120:
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114:
98:
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65:
62:
61:
56:
52:
51:
46:
42:
41:
36:
32:
31:
28:
24:
23:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1476:
1465:
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1460:
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1452:
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1447:
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1395:. p. 72.
1394:
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1297:
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1282:
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1273:
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1264:
1261:
1257:
1251:
1248:
1245:, April 1955.
1244:
1238:
1235:
1231:
1225:
1223:
1221:
1219:
1217:
1215:
1213:
1211:
1209:
1207:
1205:
1203:
1201:
1199:
1197:
1193:
1186:
1184:
1182:
1181:
1176:
1175:Royal Marines
1171:
1169:
1165:
1161:
1157:
1153:
1149:
1145:
1140:
1138:
1134:
1130:
1126:
1122:
1121:MCB Pendleton
1118:
1114:
1109:
1107:
1101:
1098:
1089:
1087:
1085:
1080:
1078:
1075:(MAG-36) and
1074:
1069:
1063:
1059:
1057:
1053:
1049:
1044:
1039:
1037:
1033:
1028:
1020:
1018:
1016:
1012:
1009:later filmed
1008:
1005:
1002:The American
1000:
998:
994:
990:
985:
984:
979:
975:
970:
966:
963:
959:
955:
950:
948:
944:
940:
936:
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928:
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916:
912:
904:
902:
899:
894:
890:
887:
883:
879:
875:
871:
867:
862:
860:
856:
851:
850:'s Paraloft.
849:
845:
841:
837:
833:
828:
826:
822:
818:
810:
808:
806:
802:
798:
794:
790:
785:
781:
779:
774:
770:
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761:
759:
754:
750:
747:
743:
739:
735:
731:
723:
721:
718:
712:
710:
706:
702:
701:Landing Zones
698:
694:
690:
685:
683:
679:
675:
672:
668:
667:
662:
653:
648:
640:
638:
636:
628:
623:
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617:
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611:
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594:
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586:
581:
579:
578:
572:
568:
563:
556:
548:
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542:
540:
536:
532:
528:
524:
519:
517:
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495:
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491:
487:
483:
479:
474:
472:
467:
461:
459:
455:
451:
441:
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383:
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370:
362:
358:
355:
353:
349:
345:
344:
338:
334:
329:
327:
322:
320:
316:
312:
308:
304:
299:
297:
293:
290:
287:platoon; one
286:
282:
278:
274:
271:
267:
263:
258:
256:
252:
248:
239:
237:
234:
233:
228:
223:
215:
213:
211:
206:
202:
199:
195:
192:
188:
180:
177:
176:
175:
173:
169:
165:
162:
158:
154:
150:
146:
138:
133:
132:ship-to-shore
129:
125:
121:
118:
115:
112:
108:
107:
106:
104:
96:
94:
92:
88:
84:
80:
76:
72:
66:Military unit
60:
57:
53:
50:
47:
43:
40:
39:United States
37:
33:
29:
25:
20:
1429:
1420:
1415:
1392:
1386:
1378:
1373:
1365:
1360:
1352:
1348:
1340:
1336:
1325:
1317:
1312:
1303:
1295:
1290:
1281:
1272:
1263:
1255:
1250:
1242:
1237:
1229:
1178:
1172:
1141:
1110:
1102:
1093:
1081:
1064:
1060:
1048:MCAS El Toro
1040:
1036:fire support
1024:
1001:
981:
973:
972:The "first"
971:
967:
951:
935:AJ-2 Savages
911:Marine Corps
908:
895:
891:
863:
852:
844:silver wings
829:
821:Fort Benning
814:
801:Fort Benning
786:
782:
766:
762:
738:NAB Coronado
727:
713:
686:
664:
663:- codenamed
658:
632:
618:
603:
597:
582:
576:
566:
558:
543:
531:Fort Benning
520:
512:NAB Coronado
508:
499:
475:
462:
458:MCAS El Toro
447:
435:
413:
395:
381:
376:
369:Regan Fuller
360:
348:World War II
342:
332:
330:
325:
323:
319:World War II
302:
300:
264:unit with a
259:
247:navy doctors
243:
240:Organization
230:
219:
196:
184:
178:
172:Marine Corps
149:World War II
142:
100:
74:
70:
68:
1043:TF-1 Trader
1027:pathfinding
993:Vietnam War
978:TF-1 Trader
974:off-carrier
943:TF-1 Trader
931:L-2 Beavers
898:jumpmasters
689:ground zero
614:rubber raft
602:aboard the
482:Vietnam War
466:pathfinding
191:helicopters
87:nuclear age
1438:Categories
1393:"AARUGHA!"
1187:References
1166:, and the
1148:Salton Sea
1144:P5M Marlin
1129:California
1115:, east of
989:Navy Cross
956:(VR-5) at
874:jumpmaster
805:Fort Bragg
553:See also:
486:Navy Cross
315:submarines
253:, and one
187:Korean War
124:submarines
45:Allegiance
1401:cite book
1137:reservoir
1125:El Centro
1117:San Diego
1034:or other
878:Air Force
859:free-fall
610:submarine
605:USS Perch
277:companies
273:battalion
134:movement.
1097:littoral
880:Captain
635:Sikorsky
600:Iwo Jima
270:infantry
255:chaplain
1077:MARS-37
1054:of the
825:Georgia
680:at the
281:platoon
249:and 51
147:to end
139:History
128:airlift
97:Mission
75:MCTU #1
35:Country
1162:, the
1032:atomic
778:napalm
753:USAF's
746:Navy's
396:Major
341:force-
283:; one
268:; one
55:Branch
27:Active
884:from
773:D-Day
674:tests
577:level
567:level
565:team-
343:level
145:Japan
73:, or
1407:link
1154:and
1123:and
1050:and
945:and
803:and
797:Army
749:SERE
709:city
612:and
301:The
69:The
1127:in
868:in
819:at
695:.
591:on
1440::
1403:}}
1399:{{
1195:^
1183:.
1086:.
1079:.
1058:.
999:.
949:.
941:,
937:,
933:,
929:,
925:,
921:,
823:,
711:.
595:.
580:.
460:.
324:A
321:.
298:.
257:.
212:.
105::
93:.
1409:)
113:,
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