HA1966 -- McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II VMFA-323, "Death Rattlers", Chu Lai Air Base, Vietnam 1967

MF-323 was commissioned August 1, 1943. In 1964 the squadron became Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) transitioning to the F-4B Phantom II. Supposedly VMFA-323 became the "Death Rattlers" when 3 squadron pilots killed a 6 foot rattlesnake and hung its skin in the squadron's ready room. VMFA-323 arrived at Da Nang, South Vietnam on December 1, 1965. On October 6, 1966 the "Death Rattlers" transferred to Chu Lai Air Base. In March 1969 the 323 left South Vietnam having flown over 17,000 sorties.