A Marine's Colt..

[John Holbrook]

This Colt was shipped to the Navy in 1942, and was issued to Colonel Dean Wilker. He was a veteran of WW II, Korea and Vietnam. Col Wilker served as CO of MAG-12 at Chu-Li during the Vietnam War. I also have his M-3 shoulder holster.... :)

A true Marine"s Marine!!!

Note that the NCO in the armory states that this Colt is Col Wilkers, so HANDS OFF! He wanted to keep his stripes!!!!

http://www.fototime.com/%7B9796B213-4B00-4A8A-AC23-7C5EB6AFA3EE%7D/picture.JPG

[Hunter]

That is a fine looking Colt. I imagine it could tell some stories.

[Little Sarge]

That is a nice colt and great history with it,I know every time you post John my eyes will have a feast.
_______________ John

[John]

John, another excellent sample! Have you, by any chance, reconsidered my request for adopting me? :p

[Rich-D]

A fine looking A1. The inspection tag makes it an even very interesting photo!


Rich

[saltydog]

Mr. Holbrook, thank you sir.

One of these days you just gotta put posts like this in a folder/web site, etc.

Thanx again,

sqlty

[Steuermann]

Fine gun. The pilots were issued .38 S&W Victorys with tracers and those were the ones that went aloft, which accounts for the Colt's condition. We underlings (HACS) between 1961-65 carried .45's and these typically got a lot of holster wear.
-Ex-MAG 26

[Sgt. Quincannon]

John, have you ever considered launching your own web site with photos of your collection? Lots and lots of detailed photos!! Please consider it. I'd go there daily.
Regards, Sgt. Q.

[John Holbrook]

Here is some additional info about Colonel Wilker.

In May 1965, MAG-12 deployed to Chu-Lai, Vietnam, to support Marine infantry and other allied forces in their engagements against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army units. The Group participated in many large operations, including the recapture of Hue City and the relief of besieged units at Khe Sanh. Two more Navy Unit Citations were received as a result of the Group's contribution to the Vietnam War effort. After almost 5 years of combat, MAG-12 was withdrawn from the Republic of Vietnam in February 1970, and reestablished at Iwakuni, Japan. MAG-12's stay in Japan, though, was short. Again, in May 1971, MAG-12 deployed to Vietnam and conducted combat operations from Bien Hoa air base until finally withdrawing from war in January 1973. MAG-12 then returned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, where it remains today.

About 50 miles to the south of Da Nang, at Chu Lai, two Marine Aircraft Groups, MAGs-12 and -13, flew out of the airfield located there. MAG-12, under Colonel Dean Wilker, consisted of three Douglas A4E Skyhawk attacksquadrons,VMAs-121,-211,and-311, and one A-6A Intruder all-weather squadron, VMA (AW)-533. All told the group possessed 12 of the Intruders and nearly 60 of the Skyhawks. The maneuverable Skyhawk was a formidable close support aircraft. An extremely accurate bomber, the single-seat A-4 belied its relative small size and could carry a variety of ordnance and a payload of nearly 8,000 pounds. Three F-4B Phantom II squadrons, VMFAs -115, -314, and -323, with a total of 33 aircraft, constituted MAG-13. The versatile Phantom, capable of a speed nearly equal to the fastest interceptors, could also carry a payload of nearly 16,000 pounds, second only to the A-6A. Two C-117D transports, five Douglas TA-4Fs, and three Korean War- vintage Grumman two-seater, single-engine TF-9J fighter trainers rounded out the Marine aircraft inventory at Chu Lai.

[Steuermann]

John,

Has anyone researched the TO&E for MAG-12 to see what pistols the pilots were actually issued during this period? There must be other old air wing marines on this forum.

[John Holbrook]

John, another excellent sample! Have you, by any chance, reconsidered my request for adopting me? :p

John, you have moved up to 324 on the adoption list, as some of those above you have gone on to that "Great Gun Show in the Sky".

[John]

That's good to know John, I am a patient man!!!! Thanks for your consideration!!!

I would add the "laughing man" icon here, but I do not think it would be appropriate, the way I moved up the adoption list.