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June, 1963: The Secretary of the Navy approved the establishment of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365.

July 1, 1963: HMM-365 is established at Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF), Santa Ana, California. The new squadron is equipped with HUS-1 (later re-designated UH-34D) helicopters.

August, 1963: Buddhist stage demonstrations and self-immolations to protest the oppressive government of South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem.

September 15, 1963: First Sergeant Howard G. Force took over the top enlisted billet. This is his first air wing assignment, having served his entire Marine Corps career with the infantry.

Major Warren Gustafson, Executive Officer; First Sergeant Howard Force, First Sergeant; Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Koler, Jr., Commanding Officer

October 2, 1963: Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Koler Jr. assumes command of the squadron. Entering the Marine Corps during the Second World War, LtCol Koler had also seen duty in China and Korea as an infantry officer.

November 2, 1963: The government of South Vietnam is toppled by a military coup d'etat. President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu are assassinated by rebelling Vietnamese troops.

November 17, 1963: Deployment to Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF), Yuma, Arizona, returning to MCAF Santa Ana, Novermber 24.

November 22, 1963: President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumes the office of the President of the United States

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