32-003 USMC F-4J Phantoms in Viet Nam 


This decal sheet provides markings for two McDonnell F–4J Phantom IIs flown by US Marine Corps fighter attack squadrons during the Vietnam War. A product of considerable research, including inputs from squadron members, this decal differs from some of what has been published elsewhere. Most USMC air activity in Southeast Asia was in direct support of ground operations and few opportunities were afforded for Marine pilots to engage enemy MiGs. The only victory of the air war by an all–Marine aircrew flying in a Corps aircraft came on 10 September 1972 when Major Lee "Bear" Lasseter and Captain "Li'l John" Cummings of VMFA-333 downed a MiG–21 over North Viet Nam while flying from the carrier USS America (CVA–66). The other subject of this decal is an F–4J from VMFA-212 which flew more typical USMC "mud moving" missions. It deployed from its home base in Hawaii to Da Nang, Republic of Viet Nam, in April of 1972 in response to the full-scale North Vietnamese invasion of the South. Marine Phantom crews flew tens of thousands of such missions, all of which called for the highest levels of dedication, skill, and courage. Many of them, including the VMFA-212 aircrew featured on this decal sheet, paid the ultimate price in support of their comrades on the  ground.