H-34 Choctaw / Vietnam Engravable

H-34 Choctaw / Vietnam Engravable

The H-34 Choctaw is a highly successful helicopter used by all branches of the US military in the Vietnam War, but mainly the United States Marine Corps. The Choctaw is most famous for its role in Vietnam prior to adoption of the UH-1 “Huey.” Its stellar service record and simplicity of use led Marines to begin asked for it by name. The phrase "give me a HUS” became common Marine Corps lingo, evolving to mean "help me out."

Twenty Choctaw first made their way into the Vietnam Theater and were quickly utilized wherever necessary. This included MEDEVAC roles, cargo transport for supply and resupply and as an offensive weapons platform. In fact, United States Marine Corps H-34s were the first gunship helicopters fitted with two M60C machine guns and two 19-shot 2.75 inch rocket pods. The lessons learned with this configuration on the H-34 were used on the UH-1E helicopters of the USMC.

Originally developed from an anti-submarine warfare requirement for the United States Navy, this helicopter was manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Company. The H-34 Choctaw has served mostly as medium transports by more than 25 countries on every continent.

Minted in the USA from solid bronze, using special deep-relief coining dies, and hand-finished with an antique patina for exceptional quality and detail, this coin displays the H-34 Choctaw Helicopter in incredible detail. The obverse of H-34 coin features front, side, and top profiles of the H-34 in the background, while an H-34 captured in flight occupies the foreground. The reverse, depicting a scene from the Vietnam countryside and the Vietnam War Service Ribbon, is engravable, suitable for names, duty dates, or special remembrances.