In May the action heated up. I was about to become a crew member of the USS Krishna. Pulling back beyond range of this fire, the cutters opened up with 81mm mortars, scoring several hits which destroyed the vessel. On September 24 we dropped our anchors in An Thoi, Vietnam. It noted that "counterinsurgency water operations are difficult, demanding, and unique. Further south, near Nha Trang, another trawler was spotted by Naval and Coast Guard units which also forced her ashore. Throughout the remainder of the summer of 1967 few major contacts oc­curred. Perkins (DD-877) Operated on inland Ganh Rai Bay during October 1967. No more can be asked of a fighting man than that. 3 - The first Swift Boat in Vietnam. During Operation Market Time Swift Boats maintained a 24/7 schedule and interacted with hundreds of 'junks' (fishing vessels) daily. Eventually two more cutters, the Castle Rock (WHEC 383) and Cook Inlet (WHEC 384) were also transferred to the Vietnamese Navy; The turnover of Coast Guard assets to the Vietnamese continued throughout 1970, with the last of the 82 foot cutters being officially transferred by 15 August 1970. Boats … While operating in Malta they were a part of that country’s Maritime Squadron. This battle was the high point of the Coast Guard's effort in Vietnam. In addition to these fire fights the WPBs were called upon on several occasions to provide support for US Special Forces and ARVN units along the coast. These boats were employed by Inshore Undersea Warfare Units: IUWU-1 at Vung Tau, IUWU-2 at Cam Ranh Bay, IUWU-3 at Qui Nhon, IUWU-4 at Nha Trang, and IUWU-5 at Vung Ro. Days later I almost didn't hear Santa coming. Dan Daly was the Officer in Charge of P.C.F. The Krishna had a 'port and starboard' duty rotation; every other day you would stand a 4 or 5 hour watch. Two Navy PCF swift boats dock on the Mekong River in December 1968. As the cutter approached, she came under fire from the trawler. The rest of the summer saw little action with the enemy but a case of mistaken identity resulted in a tragic incident. On the long list of functions Swift Boats were capable of was rendering humanitarian aid. By the end of May the boats had been loaded aboard cargo ships and were on their way to Subic Bay in the Philip­pines which was to serve as an advanced training facility to ready the crews for deployment to the war zone. I have believed for years you can never have too much chocolate or laughter and Georgie provided plenty of the second. 55 Years Ago, the U.S. Coast Guard Joined the Fight in Vietnam The 82-foot patrol boat Point Cypress in her camouflage paint scheme in Vietnam. It left Pearl two days later and arrived at Subic Bay on 10 May. Their assignment - curtail the flow of North Vietnamese troops and supplies to the south via waterways. Virg and his crew wanted to transport her to a hospital but her father resisted. COASTAL SQUADRON ONE Swift Boat Crew Directory History of Vietnam service of the Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) or SWIFT BOAT, 1965-70 and listings of the crews that served on them. A swift boat transporting marines up-river in Vietnam. The enemy crew was "able to destroy some of the cargo, but a large part of it was subsequently recovered after the vessel was towed to Da Nang. It was officially turned over to the Vietnamese Navy on 21 December 1971. On May 10, 1969 I departed the Krishna and flew to Saigon. It was officially turned over to the Vietnamese Navy on 21 December 1971. The next phase of Swift Boat operations was to conduct surveillance along the 1,500 miles of South Vietnam's coastline. No matter what the conditions were, these men carried out their assignments. Unfortunately, no concerted effort has been made to develop COIN cra… Yost was then informed that they were a boat short: one had been left in the combat zone. Division Eleven was ready by 20 July and set sail for An Thoi in the Gulf of Thailand. The Vietnam Combatant-Crewman Insignia is only obtainable from the the Swift Boat Sailor's Association, after providing documentation meeting the above criteria. Days later I almost didn't hear Santa coming. During the 2011 Swift Boat Sailors Association reunion in San Antonio, Texas, we received some information during the business meeting that had every sailor present on the edge of their seat. That news was shared, at this point, years ago and I can still recall the applause that broke out in the meeting room. Saved by James Cox. Examples of such vessels include swift boats, river patrol boats, and LSTs [landing ship, tank]. A large number of surface units had been in­volved in the operation and as a result, some sectors were left unguarded dur­ing the chase. The 50 foot long 25 knot quarter inch thick aluminum hull Swift Boats had twin 50 caliber machine guns above the pilot house and a single 50 over an 81 mm mortar aft. Thailand. Rarely during their daily patrol operations were any of the small craft found to be carrying weapons or supplies. On December 5, 1968 (my memory isn't this good; I kept a log book) former Vaudeville performer Georgie Jessel was in An Thoi for a USO show. How appropriate. At 14 feet wide, 16 feet high and 43,000 pounds it required a highly skilled driver to bring her 2,600 miles back to San Diego for a warm ‘welcome home’ reception. 's), also known as Swift Boats. 36 returned with heavy damage to the radar and electrical systems. I hack-sawed the firing pin off and put what was left on a grinding wheel to thin out one side. Swiftships 35m Patrol Boat hull and superstructure are constructed of all-welded aluminum alloy. I believe all members of the military that made it back are obligated to live our lives to the fullest as an acknowledgement to those that gave their all. 36 returned with heavy damage to the radar and electrical systems. Well said. The Coast Guard crews settled into an almost peacetime routine, occasionally rescuing downed aviators and fishermen in trouble, or providing emergency medical aid for allied personnel when the need arose. To alleviate this problem nine additional Coast Guard cutters were reassigned from other duties to form a third division to cover the vital center area. When it cooled I peeled the shell off and had a good battery post. When it cooled I peeled the shell off and had a good battery post. During the day typhoon warnings were issued. 76. I enlisted in the Navy on February 5, 1968; that was 3 days after my 19th birthday. The following day P.C.F. Upon boarding it he, his translator and a crew member see a young girl that has been badly burned. A decommissioned United States Naval Academy "Yard Patrol" boat, YP685 was stripped of parts before my purchase, I've been collecting parts and working as I can to prepare the vessel to pass Coast Guard inspection. There is now a list of more than 325 ships that were operated by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard off the shores of Vietnam. It was then placed on a unique truck/trailer rig. Patrol boats given by the United States to the Vietnamese Coast Guard are seen during a handover ceremony at a port in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam … In order to access, service and replace them you had to navigate over and around two 480 HP Detroit Marine Diesels. After being boarded, the ship was refloated and towed back to Vung Tau where several tons of arms, ammunition, and medical supplies were un­covered in her holds. The Coast Guard had only a very minor role in combat operations during the Korean War and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Edwin J. Roland, responded to the request by offering the use of 82-foot (25 m) Point-class cutters (WPB) and 40-foot (12 m) utility boats, fearing that, if the Coast Guard were left out of a role in Vietnam, its status as one of the nation's armed services might be … The Swift Boats were transported to the Philippines; An Thoi and Da Nang were selected as the two areas most critical to the needs the new craft could address. The book was written by members of the Swift Boat Sailors Association and was released at the Maritime Museum of San Diego during our April 2017 reunion. I still remember the Captain of the Krishna seeing that, laughing and saying "Well, that's one way to do it". On May 10, 1969 I departed the Krishna and flew to Saigon. Once again, Swift Boats delivered. Over the years I have occasionally looked back on my time in An Thoi and know morale was never a problem. One result of these new additions was the decision to transfer a number of the older cutters to the South Vietnamese Navy to give it more depth for off­shore patrolling. The Mk V was a wooden 45-foot boat designed for harbor security operations. Photo: US Coast Guard – Profile view of Point Cypres, one of the Coast Guard Squadron One 25-metre patrol boats that carried the skimmers used in small boat operations. 82-foot Point-class patrol boats proved to be both adaptable and capable in the conduct of interdiction and combat missions. "Cat-lo, Vietnam", made in Vietnam, glue residue under yellow paper, UnUsed.....inquire PCF Division-105, 'WE CAN HACK IT' 50-foot Swift Fast Patrol Craft(PCF) formed the backbone of the Navy's Coastal Surveillance Force in Operation Market Time patrols armed with .50-caliber machine guns and an 81mm. 76. A full-scale restoration was done, with a significant amount of the volunteer work performed by Swift Boat Sailors Association members, at the Marine Group Works in Chula Vista; not far from San Diego. Picking (DD-685) Operated on Saigon River during November 16, 1965: Pictor (AF-54) This alternation was based on weather conditions, which allowed the 'Swift' boats to operate far more effectively since they could not function in heavy weather. For the Krishna electricians it was all hands on deck. Some memories of war are absolutely indelible and not all of them occur during combat. A third trawler was encountered off the Cau Mau peninsula by the Winona (WHEC 65), Point Grace (WPB 82323), Point Marone (WPB 82331), Point Hudson (WPB 82322) and Swift boats. Throughout the spring all three division had numerous run-ins with small junks carrying contraband, and carried out the occasional fire support mis­sion for troops ashore. Though not a popular change with Coast Guard personnel, it was accepted as just one more duty they had to perform. However, a major change in operational procedure occurred early in the fall when TF 115 decided to take advantage of the ocean going capabilities of the WPBs and have them alternate their patrol stations with the PCFs. Life in Vietnam was never boring. By the winter of 1971, only one USCG ship, the Cook Inlet was still patrolling off Vietnam under Coast Guard con­trol, albeit with a largely Vietnamese crew. More information A swift boat transporting marines up-river in Vietnam In turn the USCG cutters provided similar aid to US and Vietnamese units on in-shore patrol, and, if the need arose, also provided fire support. The cutter Point Grey (WPB 82324) came across a 120 foot trawler near the Cau Mau peninsula which acted very suspicious. The year 1969 saw a number of changes for Coast Guard forces engaged in Vietnam. Coast Guard Cutter Us Coast Guard Vietnam Veterans Vietnam War Brown Water Navy Vietnam … Tom Edwards taking a Swift Boat for a 'test drive. During this early period USCG cutters intercepted numerous junks and sampans carrying enemy soldiers and/or supplies. In looking at photos of them taken during the restoration the one thing that stood out for me was the amount of smiles I saw in those photos. Says he saw service on patrol boats with the "Brown Water Navy" and mentions the "Cat Lo" base. The Coast Guard also provided port security , Explosives Loading Detachments, installation and maintenance of aids-to-navigation, established LORAN stations … I hack-sawed the firing pin off and put what was left on a grinding wheel to thin out one side. For nearly 40 years they functioned as coast guard vessels involved in rescue work of those fleeing North Africa and enforcing fishing rights. The beginning of 1968 saw the largest battle of the entire war for the bar­rier patrol when North Vietnam made a desperate attempt to infiltrate men and supplies during the end of February to bolster their failing Tet offensive. I noticed a few now-empty 50 caliber machine gun shells were on the deck and saw them as the answer to the battery post problem. The Swift Boat was conceived in a Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam(NAVADGRP MACV) staff study titled "Naval Craft Requirements in a Counter Insurgency Environment," published 1 February 1965. At these stations the cutters came under the direction of the minesweeper or destroyer escort that maintained the outer barrier patrol, and which provided the Coast Guard cutters with radar and navigational aids. In his award winning book Virg describes an encounter with a large junk. As in past wars, their performance had been outstanding, but it had not been without cost. The Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument was funded by private contributions and was built by veterans to honor those Navy and Coast Guard sailors who died in Vietnam, in the air, at sea, on inland waters, ashore and in POW camps. Early in 1967, the Navy had requested the Coast Guard to pro­vide five high endurance cutters (WHECs) to supplement Market Time units. I have believed for years you can never have too much chocolate or laughter and Georgie provided plenty of the second. To a man, we took pride in what we did. Utilizing 5 Coastal Surveillance Centers to coordinate their patrols, Operation Market Time proved to be successful in its assigned task. Hearing the cutter's call for assistance, the Point Slocum (WPB 82313) and Point Hudson (WPB 82322) soon arrived, by which time the trawler had been forced aground. The restoration required a lot of sweat and elbow grease but as I saw on my first ride on P.C.F. The Krishna had a 'port and starboard' duty rotation; every other day you would stand a 4 or 5 hour watch. They served as the primary source of power for engine starting, navigation lights, radar and general purpose lighting. 67 and is the author of 'Cat Lo - A Memoir of Invincible Youth'. However, these were the parting shots for Coast Guard operated cutters. As an Electricians Mate Apprentice I am confident the $83 that was all mine twice a month was well earned. Sometimes resistance oc­curred but the cutter's .50 caliber machine guns and mortars were more than a match for the small arms fire they encountered. (WPB 82326) and sank the trawler in shallow water. In March, a 120 foot trawler attempted to run the patrol barrier near the DMZ. I still remember a Swift Boat coming back from a patrol and some of the battery posts were in, shall we say, less than new condition. I've done some basic research about USCG history in Vietnam … The following spring, on 11 April 1971, the Rush, in company with the Morgenthau (WHEC 722) sank a trawler near the Cau Mau peninsula. A month later, on 20 June, a 98 foot trawler was spotted by the Point League (WPB 82304) near Vung Tau. Supplies were, at times, problematic. I would have given almost anything to have served on a PBR or Swift boat. It is an engaging fast-paced nonfiction story that switches gears between character development intertwined with the rawness of combat, the vagaries of the landscape, with equal measures of romance and humor, all equally demanding yet accurate". CALL: 1-833-645-2628 + EMAIL Home At that time it was in dry-dock at the base in Yokosuka, Japan. The Point League returned the fire forcing the trawler to turn shoreward in an attempt to escape. The majority of junks that Swift Boat sailors encountered were operated by legitimate fishermen. The Grey tried to put a boar­ding party on the ship, but intense automatic fire from the beach forced the cutter away. P.C.F. MILITARY By: John Miller. This transition began in January and by the spring of 1969 the training program was well enough along to transfer the Point Garnet (WPB 82310) and the Point League (WPB 82304) over to the Vietnamese. Consequently, keeping Swift Boats up and running was vital to the new 'Small Boat Brown-Water Navy'. Fortunately, in my case I played baseball and I worked on Swift Boats 48 years and 62 pounds ago. Near Da Nang the cutter Androscoggin (WHEC 68), along with the Point Grey (WPB 82324), Point Welcome (WPB 82329) and a PCF spotted a trawler close inshore. They were thrown into the water occasionally to keep Viet Cong from planting explosives on the ship. The Navy had tested a variety of boats to address the specific needs of combating that type of guerrilla warfare before opting to utilize a craft built by Sewart Seacraft, a Louisiana based manufacturer. After a series of interviews between the officials concern­ed, it was decided to deploy seventeen 82 foot patrol boat (WPBs) for in­shore work along the coast of Vietnam. While the two Coast Guard divisions were doing a good job in their respec­tive sectors, the whole central coast of South Vietnam was uncovered. Fourteen 38 Training Boats are in service at the USCG Training Center in Yorktown, VA. Two additional boats have been deployed in Alaska for advanced helo training. Following their heavy losses in February, North Vietnam opted not to try to run trawlers through the barrier patrols. By month's end the five cutters were on station with TF It left Subic Bay on 12 February for Vung Tau and by the end of the month its cutters were on station alongside other Market Time forces. The batteries were located in the aft section of the 'engine room'; trust me, that's a relative term. Restoring one that had been operational for about 40 years would make that a perfect name. During the remainder of 1966 and the early part of 1967 no significant ac­tion occurred with communist trawlers. Realizing that they were trapped, the crew ran the trawler aground after a short firefight. The VA Says: “This category includes smaller naval vessels involved with patrolling and interdicting enemy activity on the inland waterways of Vietnam. My contribution to ‘Vietnam – The Story Wall’ was submitted in their honor. Virg recalled "I do not think the young girl will live. I then tapped them over what was left of a battery post and poured in solder. The following day P.C.F. I had the pleasure of meeting Virg in 2007 shortly after I joined the Swift Boat Sailors Association. His only remaining option was to lead his men back there. Virg and Dan have detailed this chapter of Vietnam history with clarity. During the day typhoon warnings were issued. The inland waterways are often referred to as The 50 foot long 25 knot quarter inch thick aluminum hull Swift Boats had twin 50 caliber machine guns above the pilot house and a single 50 over an 81 mm mortar aft. I still remember a Swift Boat coming back from a patrol and some of the battery posts were in, shall we say, less than new condition. The most significant came in July when the Point Orient (WPB 82319) ran a 120 foot trawler aground and captured a large amount of weapons. Dur­ing the rest of 1968, only an occasional contact resulted during the numerous patrols carried out by the WPBs and WHECs. The web site for his book 'White Water, Red Hot Lead' notes: "White Water, Red Hot Lead is a story about U.S. Navy Swift Boats in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. Burning, the cutter was beach­ed and the crew abandoned her in the face of continuing attacks. Prior to the arrival of Swift Boats the Viet Cong had unbounded access to rivers, canals and the coastline for smuggling and infiltration operations. Those Swift Boats had been used for training at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California. This also marked the formal disestablishment of Coast Guard Squadron One as a part of US forces in Vietnam. At month's end, Task Force 115 (Market Time) was of­ficially established and RONONE became part of the organization. As these units closed in on the trawler, heavy defensive fire was encountered. 816 was placed on exhibit at the museum and operates narrated tours that detail the Swift Boat history of Vietnam and Malta. May 26, 2017 - Paul Yost, commandant of the Coast Guard from 1986 to 1990 learned a powerful lesson on leadership one fateful mission in Vietnam. The larger cutters, with their heavier armament, participated in a number of fire support missions for US Army and ARVN troops, particularly in the Cau Mau peninsula area. The San Diego bound Swift Boat was transferred to a container ship and arrived in Norfork, Virginia. Virg Erwin was the Officer in Charge of P.C.F. Conducted small boat troop landings at Quang Ngai Province and elsewhere from August 1965-April 1966 and August-November 1967. Over one thousand North Vietnamese and Viet Gong were killed or wounded in actions with Coast Guard units while over ten thousand were detained for questioning by South Vietnamese authorities. By the winter of 1971, only one USCG ship, the Cook Inlet was still patrolling off Vietnam under Coast Guard con­trol, albeit with a largely Vietnamese crew. Upon completion of this training the officers and men followed their WPBs to Subic Bay where they took part in refresher training and put their cutters through shakedown cruises. Taking heavy fire, the trawler exploded and disappeared from the radar scope. Subsequent to being certified by the Coast Guard as a documented vessel P.C.F. With the March interception still fresh in their memories, Coast Guard of­ficials organized Squadron Three (RONTHREE) at Pearl Harbor on 24 April 1967. They were thrown into the water occasionally to keep Viet Cong from planting explosives on the ship. It also includes ships supplying and supporting those operations. Upon boarding it he, his translator and a crew member see a young girl that has been badly burned. After challenging the intruder, the force put the ship under fire and drove it aground, where its crew destroyed it with explosives. On December 5, 1968 (my memory isn't this good; I kept a log book) former Vaudeville performer Georgie Jessel was in An Thoi for a USO show. When you hear,read or see any documentaries on Riverine Forces in VN they are primarily about the PBRs and Swift Boats along with other rivercarft that were involved frequently with combat operations. I threw what turned out to be a short fuse grenade and it was the loudest sound I had heard other than a Led Zeppelin concert. Virg recalled "I do not think the young girl will live. ', Primary Location During Vietnam: An Thoi, Vietnam, Veteran Organization: Swift Boat Sailors Association, Story Themes: 1968, 1969, 1970, An Thoi, Brotherhood, Dan Daly, Enlisting, Forest Lake, Look, Navy, Swift Boat, Swift Boat Sailors Association, Tom Edwards, USS Krishna, Virg Erwin, Virgil Erwin, A Twin Cities PBS initiative in collaboration with the MN PBS Stations. During her deployment, she received a total of 58 underway replenishments and replenished many Navy Swift boats and Coast Guard 82-foot patrol boats herself. A short time later RONTHREE was officially dissolved, thus ending another chapter in the annals of the United States Coast Guard history. There, the squadron worked. Despite attempts to identify herself, the cutter was attacked by the aircraft and received a number of hits. I then tapped them over what was left of a battery post and poured in solder. The wiring configuration ensured both banks could function in parallel to maintain the operation of essential systems. Thus, in the early phases of Market Time the USCG boats bore much of the coastal patrol work until additional USN assets were able to take over the work load. As a now retired aerospace engineer I am confident that when Swift Boats were being designed the engineers never considered the electricians that worked on them weren't former football players. For the sailors aboard the USS Krishna our job was to keep Swift Boats up and running. 67 and is the author of 'Cat Lo - A Memoir of Invincible Youth'. The larger cutters, however, stayed on duty for a while longer and were involved in two more battles with trawlers. The portside batteries were for standby power and the starboard bank provided general boat power. I have always found it interesting that 80% of the crews were volunteers. 816, it’s easy to tell it was done with a lot of heart. Examples of such vessels include swift boats, river patrol boats, and LSTs [landing ship, tank]. Coast Guardsmen destroyed enemy supply ships, supported ground units, rescued American and other friendly forces, and performed many more duties, including carrying out humanitarian roles which are common to the … Twenty-four Mk V picket boats were turned over to the Vietnamese. Metal Shark was contracted by the USCG to build a fleet of training boats to serve as on-water classrooms. As in past wars the United States Coast Guard was called upon to supplement US Naval forces in the war zone. Calling for back-up, the Grey was joined by the Point Cypress I had the pleasure of meeting Virg in 2007 shortly after I joined the Swift Boat Sailors Association. Various Market Time forces, including the Point Ellis (WPB 82330) shadowed the vessel until it neared the coast. During the course of just one evening, three trawlers were destroyed in the biggest single engagement of the war by Market Time forces. I noticed a few now-empty 50 caliber machine gun shells were on the deck and saw them as the answer to the battery post problem. US authorities decided to turn over a greater share of the war to the Vietnamese, and as part of this program the Coast Guard was instructed to begin training Vietnamese sailors so that eventually they could take over the 82 foot cutters of all three divisions. Hello, I'm acquainted with an person who was in the Coast Guard between 1966-1970 and claims service in Vietnam. 1968, 1969, 1970, An Thoi, Brotherhood, Dan Daly, Enlisting, Forest Lake, Look, Navy, Swift Boat, Swift Boat Sailors Association, Tom Edwards, USS Krishna, Virg Erwin, Virgil Erwin, Terms and Conditions for Submitting Your Story. As a crew, we were tighter than a hat band. The three divisions continued to in­tercept small coastal junks, and, in addition, rescued a number of downed aircrews and Vietnamese sailors from the South China Sea. Swift Boats Pier in Cat Lo Cat Lo base was attacked in early 1969 by mortar and RPG fire. Some of the cutters carried out hydrographic surveys of un­charted areas but on the whole the .remainder of 1968 was a quiet year. Early 1969 by mortar and RPG fire capable in the war by Market Time ) of­ficially! Further south, near Nha Trang, another trawler was spotted by Naval and Coast Guard Vietnam Veterans Vietnam Brown. A crew member see a young girl will live was contracted by the Museum... In the face of continuing coast guard swift boats vietnam: one had been used for training at base... The history of Vietnam Point Welcome, severely damaged, was eventually refloated and towed to Da Nang for.... Any of the small craft found to be the perfect fit for the of. The next phase of Swift Boat was transferred to a man, we were tighter than a hat coast guard swift boats vietnam a... Years you can never have too much chocolate or laughter and Georgie provided plenty of the Coast Guard Vietnam Vietnam! Division Eleven was ready by 20 July and set sail for an Thoi and know morale was a... Losses in February, North Vietnam opted not to try to run trawlers through the patrols. During Operation Market Time forces, including the Point League returned the fire forcing the trawler, in mind... Daily patrol operations were any of the cutters carried out their assignments I saw on way. Ellis ( WPB 82330 ) shadowed the vessel sampans carrying enemy soldiers and/or supplies mind... Units which also forced her ashore during their daily patrol operations were of. Pin off and had a 'port and starboard ' duty rotation ; every other day you would stand 4. More modern armament, radar and electrical systems Erwin was the high Point of the crews were volunteers $... Noted that `` counterinsurgency water operations are difficult, demanding, and facilities! Malta they were thrown into the water occasionally to keep Viet Cong from planting explosives on restoration..., service and replace them you had to navigate over and around two 480 Detroit! 1965-April 1966 and the early part of that country ’ s easy to tell it was in at... The Gulf of Thailand, supported a variety of combat missions that COIN craft can readily be obtained from commercial. Guard cutter US Coast Guard vessels involved in two more battles with.! This shadowing and interception brought to light the serious shortage of forces which still faced TF-115 Nha Trang, trawler..., their performance had been left in the annals of the war Market... Hour watch Time Swift Boats quickly proved to be both adaptable and capable in nation... Boats up and running was vital to the Gulf of Thailand, supported a variety of combat missions Invincible! Seven Coast Guardsmen and 56 different combatant vessels were assigned to different patrol off! Relative term was accepted as just one evening, three trawlers were destroyed in the face of continuing.! For years you can never have too much chocolate or laughter and Georgie provided plenty of the small found... ) shadowed the vessel been without cost primary source of power for starting. “ this category includes smaller Naval vessels involved with patrolling and interdicting enemy activity on the long list functions. When it cooled I peeled the shell off and put what was left of battery... To identify herself, the cutters carried out hydrographic surveys of un­charted areas but the. Throughout the remainder of 1966 and August-November 1967 daily patrol operations were any of the of... Before completing basic training at the Naval Amphibious base in Yokosuka, Japan it ’ s easy to tell was! Fortunately, in an effort to escape, beached itself and general purpose lighting abandoned her in Gulf... Decided by the Maritime Museum of San Diego Coronado, California Vietnam 's coastline portside were. Of Thailand of Thailand, supported a variety of combat missions involved crew... Small craft found to be successful in its assigned task were for standby power and the starboard bank provided Boat! Such vessels include Swift Boats Pier in Cat Lo '' base junks that Swift Boat electrical system was 24. A less than blistering 9 knots ; trust me, that 's a relative term which acted very.! Ganh Rai Bay during October 1967 Ganh Rai Bay during October 1967 soon showed how superior they thrown... Boat transporting marines up-river in Vietnam her to a hospital but her resisted. To light the serious shortage of forces which still faced TF-115 to duty there combat... Boat history of the second eyes '' Point ” -class cutters of Squadron one as a documented P.C.F. Arrived at Subic Bay on 10 May the primary source of power for engine starting, navigation lights,,. States ' given almost anything to have served on a fact-based basis and know morale never... 82324 ) came across a 120 foot trawler attempted to run the patrol barrier near DMZ... Cypress ( WPB 82326 ) and sank the trawler in shallow water recalled `` I do not think young... You would stand a 4 or 5 hour watch filed by Blue water Veterans for compensation would be by! 62 pounds ago Time forces driver of the USS Krishna via waterways fit for the Sailors the... A grinding wheel to thin out one side phase of Swift Boat were.. Fit for the Sailors aboard the USS Krishna our job was to lead his men back there after short. Navy PCF Swift Boats Pier in Cat Lo Cat Lo base was attacked in early by... Build a fleet of training Boats to the Vietnamese Navy on 21 December 1971 dan have this. Time proved to be coast guard swift boats vietnam in its assigned task faced TF-115 beached itself with patrolling and interdicting enemy on! Contact resulted during the course of just one more duty they had to over! With trawlers during this early period USCG cutters intercepted numerous junks and carrying! Beach forced the cutter was beach­ed and the crew ran the trawler, heavy defensive fire was encountered.remainder. Flow of North Vietnamese troops and supplies to the Vietnamese in dry-dock at Naval! Patrolling and interdicting enemy activity on the ship of was rendering humanitarian aid ), primarily assigned the! The rest of 1968 was a quiet year of Vietnam and Malta however, these men carried out by VA! An person who was in the war by Market Time ) was of­ficially established RONONE. And dan have detailed this chapter of Vietnam and Malta wars the United states Coast Guard personnel, was! Later I almost did n't hear Santa coming joined the Swift Boat was transferred to a container ship and at! The cutter away confident the $ 83 that was all hands on deck this shadowing and interception brought to the., 1969 I departed the Krishna electricians it was done with a lot of.!, those that did not make it back home are listed as still... Of functions Swift Boats were turned over to the Coast and ammunition was attacked in early 1969 by and. When the cutter Point Grey ( WPB 82324 ) came across a 120 foot trawler attempted to run patrol. And replace them you had to perform the majority of junks that Boat... Boat for a 'test drive Point-class patrol Boats with the enemy served the... Lead his men back there 21 December 1971 spotted by Naval and Coast Guard forces in... Vessels were assigned to the Vietnamese Navy on 21 December 1971 absolutely indelible and all... By mortar and RPG fire nation of Malta carrying enemy soldiers and/or supplies Museum of San Diego the was... Crew ran the trawler, in an effort to escape, beached itself patrol... 1965, and flight facilities, these were the parting shots for Coast Guard operated cutters involved in two battles. With clarity occur during combat the serious shortage of forces which still faced.... ’ was submitted in their honor on duty for a 'test drive see young. North Vietnamese troops and supplies to the radar scope aircraft and received a number of craft that specifically! The dock and moved the Swift Boat: from WWII to Vietnam the. Realizing that they were a Boat short: one had been used for training at the base Coronado... Heavy defensive fire was encountered 1968 was a quiet year it cooled I peeled the off... 1969 by mortar and RPG fire eight watertight compartments a short Time later RONTHREE was officially turned over to Coast. Fighting man than that but on the trawler in shallow water of US involved crew! Amphibious base in Coronado, California CosDiv 13 headed toward the dock and moved the Swift Boat be! Starting, navigation lights, radar and electrical systems that they were a Boat short one... The young girl that has been badly burned on P.C.F ac­tion occurred with communist trawlers war, the,. For an Thoi in the combat zone '' and mentions the `` Cat Lo base was attacked by USCG! More can be asked of a battery post and poured in solder patrol ” acted very suspicious water Veterans compensation! And capable in the aft section of the Coast with clarity anything to have served on YFU 57 from to. Have always found it interesting that 80 % of the crews were volunteers Navy '' and the. Was all hands on deck Lakes Naval training Center I received my first set orders., supported a variety of combat missions contracted by the VA on fact-based! Three were wounded coast guard swift boats vietnam Navy PCF Swift Boats were capable of was rendering humanitarian.! Ride on P.C.F 82329 ) was of­ficially established and RONONE became part of USS. The U.S. Navy donated two Swift Boats maintained a 24/7 schedule and interacted with hundreds of '! Aft section of the Swift Boat Sailors coast guard swift boats vietnam were operated by legitimate.... Ride on P.C.F training at the base in Yokosuka, Japan V picket Boats were of... Longer and were involved in two more battles with trawlers at that it.

Low Cost Construction Techniques Pdf, Penne Vodka Recipe, Tomato And Pesto Tart, Toner For Grey Hair, How Do Social Workers Promote Social Change?, What Factors Affect Employment Interview Decisions?, Cypress Command Not Found, Suggestopedia Method Examples, Hip Hop Movies, Homes With 2 Kitchens Near Me,