Cessna O-1 Birdog / USMCCessna O 1 305 Birdog USMC airplane model. The planes were used in various utility roles such as artillery spotting, front line communications, medevac and training. During the Vietnam War, the planes were used for reconnaissance and forward air control. It received the name of "Bird Dog" as a result of a contest held with Cessna employees to name the aircraft. The winning contestant was Jack A. Swayze, an industrial photographer. The name was chosen