48-006 USMC F-4J Phantoms in SE Asia pt 2 


The F-4J Phantom II was introduced into combat by the US Marine Corps in Viet Nam in 1968 with VMFA-334 and ended its combat days with VMFA-232 after the January 1973 cease-fire. The subjects of this decal cover that entire span of events and include combat markings for F-4Js flown by three Marine fighter attack squadrons. A product of considerable research including inputs from squadron members, this decal may differ from what has been published elsewhere. Most USMC air activity in Southeast Asia was in direct support of ground operations and, prior to the Linebacker operations of 1972, few opportunities were afforded for Marine pilots to engage enemy MiGs. The subjects of this decal mainly flew typical "mud moving" close air support and interdiction missions. The only air-to-air victory of the war by a Corps aircraft and crew came on 10 September 1972 when Major Lee Lasseter and Captain John Cummings downed a MiG-21 over North Viet Nam while flying with VMFA-333 off the carrier USS America (CVA-66).