VO-67
Encyclopedia
Observation Squadron 67 was a secret
United States Navy
military intelligence
aircraft squadron based in Thailand during the Vietnam War
. Created in February 1967, the unit was deactivated in July 1968. During its period of activity, the squadron mainly flew missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail
in Vietnam and Laos implanting electronic sensory devices to detect North Vietnamese Army and supply movements along the trail.
The squadron flew OP-2E Neptune
aircraft. Three unit aircraft were lost on combat missions with a total of 20 men killed. The unit received the Navy Unit Commendation and in May 2008 the VO-67 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation
for its highly classified missions and for aerial support of the Marine fire base at Khe Sanh
, South Vietnam during the 1968 Tet offensive. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS Milius (DDG-69) is named for Commander Paul L. Milius who received the Navy Cross
for saving his seven man crew while serving with VO-67. Commander Milius was lost in combat over the Ho Chi Minh Trail
in 1968.
The squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation ribbon. Enlisted air crews were also awarded Marine silver Combat Air Crew wings for support of Khe Sanh fire base during 1968 Tet Offensive.
Classified information
Classified information is sensitive information to which access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of persons. A formal security clearance is required to handle classified documents or access classified data. The clearance process requires a satisfactory background investigation...
United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
aircraft squadron based in Thailand during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Created in February 1967, the unit was deactivated in July 1968. During its period of activity, the squadron mainly flew missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail
Ho Chi Minh trail
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Vietnam through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia...
in Vietnam and Laos implanting electronic sensory devices to detect North Vietnamese Army and supply movements along the trail.
The squadron flew OP-2E Neptune
P-2 Neptune
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
aircraft. Three unit aircraft were lost on combat missions with a total of 20 men killed. The unit received the Navy Unit Commendation and in May 2008 the VO-67 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy...
for its highly classified missions and for aerial support of the Marine fire base at Khe Sanh
Battle of Khe Sanh
The Battle of Khe Sanh was conducted in northwestern Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam , between 21 January and 9 July 1968 during the Vietnam War...
, South Vietnam during the 1968 Tet offensive. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS Milius (DDG-69) is named for Commander Paul L. Milius who received the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for saving his seven man crew while serving with VO-67. Commander Milius was lost in combat over the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Ho Chi Minh trail
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Vietnam through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia...
in 1968.
The squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation ribbon. Enlisted air crews were also awarded Marine silver Combat Air Crew wings for support of Khe Sanh fire base during 1968 Tet Offensive.