174th Assault
Helicopter Company
DOLPHINS & SHARKS



OUCH that Mortar Hurt!

This UH-1D Dolphin was the recipient of hundreds of small shrapnel hits from a VC mortar round that went off just in front of the helicopter. Because of the extensive damage to the aircraft wiring system, it had to be returned to Corpus Christy, Texas for a rebuild. The nose art on this Dolphin is a rendition of the original Dolphin caricature drawn by WO1 Richard Machina in August 1967. Various other crewmembers copied Richard's original art and this style Dolphin was used on many 174th AHC aircraft for the next several years. Note the graffiti on the windshield. (Photo by Jim McDaniel, Duc Pho, Fall 67.)