(Greenfield, Iowa) – A Vietnam-era helicopter, YL-37, will be landing at the Iowa Aviation Museum/Greenfield Municipal Airport on July 30th, at approximately 1 pm. The public is invited to see this historical aircraft and meet the aircrew and special guests. Officials with the Museum say the YL-37, a Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter, was flown in the Republic of Vietnam from 1965-1968 by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron Three Six Two (HMM-362) known as the “Ugly Angels.” With fifty-four patches over bullet holes and shrapnel damage from a rocket attack, YL-37 is the only Marine UH-34D Sikorsky with documented combat history that survived the battle to return home. On many missions, YL-37 was fired on and was once disabled and carried from the crash zone by another helicopter. On her side is a bronze plaque with the names of thirty-three members of the Ugly Angels who gave their lives in Vietnam.

Vietnam War-era Sikorsky UH-34D, YL-37

Present at the event will be Southwest Iowa resident Philip Larry Turner, member of HMM-362, who flew YL-37 on missions in Vietnam. (Larry flew 8 missions with approximately 4 hours of flight time in this helicopter.) A member of the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame, Larry continued flying until 2013 when he piloted his last flight in this helicopter. Larry Turner’s son, Nicholas Turner, a 2022 inductee into the Hall of Fame, will also be present. Like his father, Nick was a member of the Ugly Angels (2004-2009) and both men have since flown YL-37.

YL-37 is supported by the YL-37 Group Foundation of Inola, OK, and has become a flying tribute to Vietnam veterans and all of America’s Armed Forces. Plans are subject to weather conditions. If you have questions, call the Iowa Aviation Museum at 641-343-7184.