| This HMM-362 website is dedicated to two individuals who are responsible for what we were in the 1960s and who we are today, Archie Clapp and Tom Hewes. The Corps has never has a shortage of leaders, but these two gentlemen have had a lasting effect on all of or lives regardless of whether we served with them or not. Archie Clapp took the Archie’s Angels ashore in April of 1962 forever insuring that this squadron would always hold the distinction of being the first Marine tactical unit to serve in Vietnam. Not only did he establish our place in Marine Corps history, but also instituted so many innovations as to practically write the textbook on combat-helicopter operations. In addition to being a great leader and tactician, Colonel Clapp was a fine writer who wrote numerous articles related to this deployment and the lessons learned from it. Tom Hewes answered the call many years later by single-handedly turning a small list of former Archie’s and Ugly Angels into the finest group of USMC/ Helicopter veterans on the planet. Starting out he contacted one Marine after another. Beginning in 1996, he created our own newsletter, always welcoming every “fng” and keeping us all updated as to what was going on. When projects began to develop, Tom formed the Ugly Angel Memorial Association to raise money and organize the workers. This led to the two memorials that today serve as hallmarks of HMM-362; the YL 42 restoration at the Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola and The WING at MCB Quantico. None of us can doubt that the pride we associate with being an Archie’s Angel or an Ugly Angel combat veteran would be a fraction of what is is today if not for the work, professionalism and esprit de corps of Colonels Archie Clapp and Tom Hewes. |
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