Originally developed as an anti-submarine aircraft, the Sikorsky H-34 was a radial engine powered utility helicopter. It was one of the first successful military utility helicopters and was utilized by all branches of the US military as well as that of many countries around the world. The US Marines version was the UH-34D Seahorse.
The UH-34D served extensively with the US Marines during the Vietnam War. The helicopter was well powered and agile as well as reliable. Its rugged construction enabled the machine to sustain a lot of damage and still fly home. The Seahorse pioneered modern air assault tactics, delivering Marines to combat zones. It was also invaluable in medevac operations, bringing wounded soldiers out of combat zones.
The machine depicted here is YL (Yankee Lima) 37. The aircraft flew with Squadron HMM-362 known as the “Ugly Angels”. The squadrons original monicker was “Archie’s Angels” after their first commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Archie Clapp. HMM-362 deployed to Vietnam in April of 1962 and the longest serving squadron in the war.
There are more than a few stories about how the squadron came to be known as “Ugly Angels”. One suggests that the Seahorse itself had a less than graceful appearance and became known as an angel because of the nature of the aircraft to descend from the sky to rescue the men. Another relates a Marine during rescue exclaimed, ”You are the ugliest angel I have ever seen”. In any case, the name stuck.
The Seahorse was eventually replaced in Vietnam with the CH-46 Sea Knight but the UH34D were in overall service with the Marines from 1957 until 1974.