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Vietnam 1970 USMC MAG-11 H&MS-11 PLAYBOY-3 Aviation Combat PLAQUE ~ 126 Missions
Vietnam 1970 USMC MAG-11 H&MS-11 PLAYBOY-3 Aviation Combat PLAQUE ~ 126 Missions
Vietnam 1970 USMC MAG-11 H&MS-11 PLAYBOY-3 Aviation Combat PLAQUE ~ 126 Missions
Vietnam 1970 USMC MAG-11 H&MS-11 PLAYBOY-3 Aviation Combat PLAQUE ~ 126 Missions

Vietnam 1970 USMC MAG-11 H&MS-11 PLAYBOY-3 Aviation Combat PLAQUE ~ 126 Missions

$ 105.57

Availability: 20 in stock
  • Conflict: Vietnam (1961-75)
  • Modified Item: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
  • Theme: Militaria
  • Condition: Good. The triangular small hanger, that was once affixed to the back of the plaque is gone. There are abrasions, resulting in minor chipping on the bottom of the plaque. Several minor staple holes appear on the back of the plaque.
  • Original/Reproduction: Original

    Description

    This is an absolutely special and UNIQUE item of U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Combat Aviation History.
    Approx 9 " x 12" (approx 1" thick) large wooden wall plaque (weighing about 1 3/4 lbs) in the shape of a shield.  It is identified as Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) - 11 and H&MS (Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron) - 11.
    The plaque was awarded in January 1970 to USMC Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) K. A. Smith (who is named as PLAYBOY-3) for his service from June 1969 to January 1970 (126 Missions).
    Thanks to the (A-4) SKYHAWK ASSOCIATION on the internet we know quite a bit about the rich history of USMC aviation (including the PLAYBOYS) in Vietnam. Da Nang was the first major airfield used by the Marines in 1965, and MAG-11 used Da Nang from 1965-1971.  H&MS-11 at Da Nang introduced the TA-4F to combat operations.  By the spring of 1969 TA-4F operations flew 200 sorties monthly to provide continuous daylight coverage of the "Steel Tiger East" area in Laos.  In June 1969, Lt Col Dick Hebert took over the TA-4F Mission and changed the unit call-sign to PLAYBOY.  He was PLAYBOY-1, while MAG 11's Marine Fighter Attack Squadron - 542 (VMFA-542) Commanding Officer,
    Lt Col K.A. Smith, was PLAYBOY-3
    .
    As a result of his heroic Vietnam service, Lt Col Keith A. Smith (1928-2012) was given this plaque by his contemporaries and was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross medals.  He served his country as a United States Marine from 1952-1988, was Deputy Commandant for Aviation from 1984-1988, and retired as a lieutenant general (O-9) in 1988.
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