174th Assault Helicopter Company
DOLPHINS & SHARKS



Martin and Machina


This is WO1 Larry Martin in the foreground and WO1 Richard Machina in the background. Richard is the person who designed and painted the Dolphin nose-art caricature in August 1967. Richard was wounded during a combat assault and medevaced back to the States in September 1967. Both are relaxing in the back of a Dolphin. Note the position that Larry is wearing his M-1911 .45 caliber sidearm is the standard place for that weapon when we were flying (any additional protection was appreciated and seldom turned down). Also note that in mid-1967 we were still flying with the light-weight cotton jungle fatigues. We had no fire-retardant NOMEX flight suits yet.

Now, as long as that .45 cal. didn't accidentally discharge...

(Photo Property of Larry Martin. Duc Pho, 1967)

Return to top of: 1967 History Page.
Return to top of: Home Page.