Handcraft from Mahogany US Naval Aviator Owned Business Highly detailed with minimal decals Matched against historic photos Heirloom Pieces VMM-163 Evil Eyes PVC Patch
4" PVC patches created for VMM-163
HMR(L)-163, the predecessor to HMM-163, was formed in December of 1951. Since that time, its Marines, Sailors and aircraft have flown in continuous support of the United States and Allied operations throughout the Pacific and Central Command Theaters. The name "Ridge Runners" due to a typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hagman, Japan.
From February to October 1965, the HMM-163 "Ridge Runners" helicopter squadron became famous for its operations in Vietnam. It was due to a LIFE magazine story that appeared in the 16 April 1965 issue. The story documented the combat death of a Marine H-34 pilot, 1stLt James E. Magel, and the rescue of wounded and paralyzed 1stLt Dale Eddy during a strike mission transporting South Vietnamese troops. For most U.S. citizens, this was the first time they were made aware of the extent of America's involvement in Vietnam.
LtCol Charles A. House took the reigns of the squadron in December 1965 at MCAS Futema, Okinawa. With only one month separating HMM-163 from its return deployment to Viet Nam, LtCol House and his veteran pilots determined that a unit symbol was needed to build morale and espirit d'corps, especially for the newly assigned replacement personnel.
Capt Al Barbe, the Squadron Intelligence Officer and husband to a Thai bride, offered a suggestion. Because of Asian culture and beliefs, he proposed that eyes painted on the unit aircraft might have an unsettling effect upon the enemy, thus the concept of "The Eyes" on the front of HMM-163 aircraft was born.
HMM-163 flew via C-130 to Phu Bai, Vietnam, on 1 January 1966 relieved HMM-161 of their H-34 helicopters. Painting of "Genie Eyes" (after the "I Dream of Jeannie" TV show) took hold immediately.
HMM-163's "Genie Eyes" were being called "Evil Eyes" by the ground units the squadron supported. They flew over 2,000 flight hours in ten days
4" PVC patches created for VMM-163
HMR(L)-163, the predecessor to HMM-163, was formed in December of 1951. Since that time, its Marines, Sailors and aircraft have flown in continuous support of the United States and Allied operations throughout the Pacific and Central Command Theaters. The name "Ridge Runners" due to a typhoon rescue and relief operations in the mountainous terrain surrounding Hagman, Japan.
From February to October 1965, the HMM-163 "Ridge Runners" helicopter squadron became famous for its operations in Vietnam. It was due to a LIFE magazine story that appeared in the 16 April 1965 issue. The story documented the combat death of a Marine H-34 pilot, 1stLt James E. Magel, and the rescue of wounded and paralyzed 1stLt Dale Eddy during a strike mission transporting South Vietnamese troops. For most U.S. citizens, this was the first time they were made aware of the extent of America's involvement in Vietnam.
LtCol Charles A. House took the reigns of the squadron in December 1965 at MCAS Futema, Okinawa. With only one month separating HMM-163 from its return deployment to Viet Nam, LtCol House and his veteran pilots determined that a unit symbol was needed to build morale and espirit d'corps, especially for the newly assigned replacement personnel.
Capt Al Barbe, the Squadron Intelligence Officer and husband to a Thai bride, offered a suggestion. Because of Asian culture and beliefs, he proposed that eyes painted on the unit aircraft might have an unsettling effect upon the enemy, thus the concept of "The Eyes" on the front of HMM-163 aircraft was born.
HMM-163 flew via C-130 to Phu Bai, Vietnam, on 1 January 1966 relieved HMM-161 of their H-34 helicopters. Painting of "Genie Eyes" (after the "I Dream of Jeannie" TV show) took hold immediately.
HMM-163's "Genie Eyes" were being called "Evil Eyes" by the ground units the squadron supported. They flew over 2,000 flight hours in ten days