McNamara tours the 1st MAW facilities, Da Nang, 1967

In July 1967, Robert McNamara visited the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) in Da Nang, Vietnam. The Secretary of Defense specifically visited Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)-11, which had been based in Da Nang since 1965.

According to the MAG-11 command chronology, McNamara’s visit included “a briefing, a luncheon with many of the officers from MAG-11, 1st MAW and the Air Force, and a tour of the MAG-11 facilities.” The tour included visiting the flight line and meeting some of the pilots.

Accompanying McNamara were high ranking officials such as John McNaughton (Undersecretary of the Navy), General William Westmoreland (Commander, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam), Major General Norman Anderson (Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing), and Colonel Arthur Schmagel (Commanding Officer of MAG-11).

As Secretary of Defense under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, McNamara made many trips to Vietnam, with his first trip occurring in 1962. He visited the country for the final time in 1995, 33 years after his first visit and 22 years after U.S. military involvement in Vietnam ended.

The following photos document McNamara’s 1967 visit to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in Da Nang:

McNamara arrives at the 1st MAW facilities

McNamara and Major General Anderson begin their tour of MAG-11

McNamara tours the MAG-11 flight line

McNamara visits with MAG-11 pilots

View additional photos of McNamara’s trip in the Officers/Inspections section of Fold3’s Vietnam War Marine Corps photos.

McNamara Visits 1st Marine Aircraft Wing