COASTAL SQUADRON ONE

Swift Boat Crew Directory

(Last updated 7/6/2012)

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Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument Fund

Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument at the US Navy Amphibious Base Coronado, CA

Navy - Together We Served


The U.S. Navy played a vital role in the prosecution of the conflict in South Vietnam.

The importance of this contribution was probably best expressed by COMUSMACV, General William C. Westmoreland, USA, in comments he made at a Mission Council meeting held on 19 September 1967.


"The United States Navy has not received due credit for the sizable contributions its forces have made to the war in South Vietnam. Market Time activities have, for all practical purposes, sealed off the coast. Game Warden operations are increasingly denying the enemy the use of inland waterways. Thirdly, the riverine operation has no parallel in the history of warfare. All of these operations are unique innovations effectively adapted to the situation in South Vietnam. The fine efforts of the Navy should not continue to go unnoticed."

Crew Listings

PCF 1

Dates Crews Bases Call Sign ID Color Code Comments
1965-70 Nearly everyone Coronado and Mare Island, CA Ensign 1 Blue/Amber/Green Training Boat - Mark I


***All swift boat crew training was done in Coronado, CA until July 1969, when it was moved to Mare Island, CA***

PCF 1 - October28, 1965, San Diego, CA

- The earliest picture of PCF 1, note the marking on the left side of the pilot house door, I have ever found. The boat was being shown off to the Secretary of the Navy after it's arrival in San Diego, CA.

- While conducting routine training operations to seaward of Bodega Bay at about 2200, on Thursday 18 December 1969, a training incident occurred resulting in the sinking of PCF 8 and the grounding of PCF 1. There were no serious personnel casualties. (1969 Classified Command History entry of the Naval Inshore Operations Training Center, Mare Island, CA) story

- The boat was discovered in Panama, during the fall of 1994, and rescued from the scrap heap by numerous ex-swiftees. The boat was transported to Norfolk, VA and restored. After completion of the restoration, it was then used as part of the "Last River Run" reunion, at the Washington Navy Yard in June 1995.

- At 10am, 18 April 1998, PCF 1 was moved to its new permanent location, on a set of concrete pedestals at the far end of the seawall, along the Anacostia River, forward of where the USS Barry is berthed. Her bow faces towards the river.....within a few feet of the water's edge. The forward pedestal gives the boat a slight upward tilt. The space itself, where the boat rests, is surfaced in a pattern of bricks, in a semi-circle, interspersed with a pattern of white concrete. It gives the area a sense of permanence, focus, and dignity.

- At a ceremony held at 9am, 23 April 1998, PCF 1 was rededicated with a plaque placed on the forward pedestal of her stand. She is still "Coronado" gray, but a check from the Swift Boat Sailors Association was presented to William L. Ball III, former Secretary of the Navy, to ensure that she gets painted in her battle-gray colors. It is curious that she is one of the few swifts that never wore those colors, as she never saw the sun set over Vietnam. Aft of the boat is an old brick building, that has been there since the days of Decatur, now designated as the site of the new Cold War Museum. When completed, the Vietnam display will be moved there from the main museum.

PCF-1 Memorial Display at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C.

PCF 1 Memorial Display at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.

PCF 2

Dates Crews Bases Call Sign ID Color Code Comments
1965-70 Nearly everyone Coronado and Mare Island, CA Ensign 2 Green/Amber/Blue Training Boat - Mark I


***All swift boat crew training was done in Coronado, CA until July 1969, when it was moved to Mare Island, CA***

- The boat was discovered in Panama, in the fall of 1994, and rescued from the scrap heap by numerous ex-swiftees. The boat was transported to Norfolk, VA and restored. After completion of the restoration, it was then used as part of the "Last River Run" reunion, at the Washington Navy Yard in June 1995. At that ceremony it was donated to the Washington Navy Yard Museum, Washington, D.C., for permanent display. After that ceremony it was donated to Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, VA, for use as an oceanographic research vessel. It is now painted teal (hull, doors, ladder, handrails, mast and ammo locker) and white (superstructure and the top of the ammo locker) and renamed the Research Vessel Matthew F. Maury. It's named after one of the early oceanographers whose nickname was "The Pathfinder of the Seas."

PCF-2/RV Matthew F. Maury

PCF 2 is now the RV Matthew F. Maury at Tide Water College, Norfolk, VA

PCF 3

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
30 October 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
Theodore Anthony Wright, ENS, OinC tawdino@gmail.com 10/65-11/65 An Thoi Boquette, Republic of Panama
Neal Archie Blanchard, BM1 10/65-?? An Thoi Arlington, TX --- made chief
William Byers Grundy Sr, GMG2 10/65-?? An Thoi deceased 2/28/2000 in Louisville, KY
Carl Clayton Cloud, EN2 10/65-?? An Thoi deceased 1/5/1995 in Las Vegas, NV --- made chief
James Wallace Burke, QM3 jwburke@sowega.net 10/65-?? An Thoi Cordel, GA
Fred Raymond Read Jr, RMSN/3 fredread1301@gmail.com 10/65-2/66 An Thoi Creal Springs, IL
David McFarland, LTJG, OinC 11/65-?? replaced Wright --- Helena, MT
Randolph Henry Gray, RM3 11/65-?? An Thoi Port Angeles, WA
Jack Lee "Snowball" Snow, RM3 No Computer 11/65-6/66 An Thoi Gorham, ME
Jack B. Welty, EN2 65-66 An Thoi Yakima, WA
B. Burch, GMG2 65-66 An Thoi
Fred Raymond Read Jr, RMSN/3 fredread1301@gmail.com 66 An Thoi Creal Springs, IL
J.G. Snyder, LT, OinC 65-66 An Thoi
Gerald E. O'Neal, BM1 65-66 An Thoi was from Tucson, AZ
James Edward Wadeking, EN3 65-66 An Thoi South Roxana, IL
John Truman Richey, RM3 jtrichey@wcc.net 65-66 An Thoi San Angelo, TX
Norman Edward LeDuc, GMG3/2 65-66 An Thoi deceased 10/10/2009 in Manchester, NH
Chris Jackson, SN 12/65-??/66 An Thoi
David Charles Cook, LT, OinC dave_and_helen_c@email.msn.com 66 An Thoi Walnut Creek, CA
William Langston Bedwell, BM1 66 An Thoi
Rodolfo Armando "Rudy" Maldonado, EN2 rudyonduty@frontiernet.net 8/66-5/67 An Thoi Manton, CA
Callahan, RM3 66 An Thoi
??Bert David?? Harlow, SN 66 An Thoi
Neil J. McElwee, LTJG, OinC 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Oil City, PA --- Author on the early Pennsylvania oil industry
Barley, BM1 2/67-11/67 An Thoi
Gerald E. O'Neal, BM1 65-66 An Thoi was from Tucson, AZ
James Edward Wadeking, EN3 65-66 An Thoi South Roxana, IL
John Truman Richey, RM3 jtrichey@wcc.net 65-66 An Thoi San Angelo, TX
Norman Edward LeDuc, GMG3/2 65-66 An Thoi deceased 10/10/2009 in Manchester, NH
Chris Jackson, SN 12/65-??/66 An Thoi
David Charles Cook, LT, OinC dave_and_helen_c@email.msn.com 66 An Thoi Walnut Creek, CA
William Langston Bedwell, BM1 66 An Thoi
Rodolfo Armando "Rudy" Maldonado, EN2 rudyonduty@frontiernet.net 8/66-5/67 An Thoi Manton, CA
Callahan, RM3 66 An Thoi
??Bert David?? Harlow, SN 66 An Thoi
Neil J. McElwee, LTJG, OinC 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Oil City, PA --- Author on the early Pennsylvania oil industry
Barley, BM1 2/67-11/67 An Thoi
Gerald E. O'Neal, BM1 65-66 An Thoi was from Tucson, AZ
James Edward Wadeking, EN3 65-66 An Thoi South Roxana, IL
John Truman Richey, RM3 jtrichey@wcc.net 65-66 An Thoi San Angelo, TX
Norman Edward LeDuc, GMG3/2 65-66 An Thoi deceased 10/10/2009 in Manchester, NH
Chris Jackson, SN 12/65-??/66 An Thoi
David Charles Cook, LT, OinC dave_and_helen_c@email.msn.com 66 An Thoi Walnut Creek, CA
William Langston Bedwell, BM1 66 An Thoi
Rodolfo Armando "Rudy" Maldonado, EN2 rudyonduty@frontiernet.net 8/66-5/67 An Thoi Manton, CA
Callahan, RM3 66 An Thoi
??Bert David?? Harlow, SN 66 An Thoi
Neil J. McElwee, LTJG, OinC 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Oil City, PA --- Author on the early Pennsylvania oil industry
Barley, BM1 2/67-11/67 An Thoi
Gerald E. O'Neal, BM1 65-66 An Thoi was from Tucson, AZ
James Edward Wadeking, EN3 65-66 An Thoi South Roxana, IL
John Truman Richey, RM3 jtrichey@wcc.net 65-66 An Thoi San Angelo, TX
Norman Edward LeDuc, GMG3/2 65-66 An Thoi deceased 10/10/2009 in Manchester, NH
Chris Jackson, SN 12/65-??/66 An Thoi
David Charles Cook, LT, OinC dave_and_helen_c@email.msn.com 66 An Thoi Walnut Creek, CA
William Langston Bedwell, BM1 66 An Thoi
Rodolfo Armando "Rudy" Maldonado, EN2 rudyonduty@frontiernet.net 8/66-5/67 An Thoi Manton, CA
Callahan, RM3 66 An Thoi
??Bert David?? Harlow, SN 66 An Thoi
Neil J. McElwee, LTJG, OinC 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Oil City, PA --- Author on the early Pennsylvania oil industry
Barley, BM1 2/67-11/67 An Thoi
Gerald E. O'Neal, BM1 65-66 An Thoi was from Tucson, AZ
James Edward Wadeking, EN3 65-66 An Thoi South Roxana, IL
John Truman Richey, RM3 jtrichey@wcc.net 65-66 An Thoi San Angelo, TX
Norman Edward LeDuc, GMG3/2 65-66 An Thoi deceased 10/10/2009 in Manchester, NH
Chris Jackson, SN 12/65-??/66 An Thoi
David Charles Cook, LT, OinC dave_and_helen_c@email.msn.com 66 An Thoi Walnut Creek, CA
William Langston Bedwell, BM1 66 An Thoi
Rodolfo Armando "Rudy" Maldonado, EN2 rudyonduty@frontiernet.net 8/66-5/67 An Thoi Manton, CA
Callahan, RM3 66 An Thoi
??Bert David?? Harlow, SN 66 An Thoi
Neil J. McElwee, LTJG, OinC 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Oil City, PA --- Author on the early Pennsylvania oil industry
Barley, BM1 2/67-11/67 An Thoi
McQuine, E(N or M)2 2/67-11/67 An Thoi
John Edgar Ball, QM3 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Apple Grove, WV
Paul Mathew Lukasiewicz (Lukas), GMG3 lukasp119@verizon.net 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Worchester, MA
Roy Allen Barnes, RM3 roybarnesus@att.net 2/67-11/67 An Thoi Loomis, CA
5-18 Sept 1967 Cam Ranh Bay Stress corrosion repair at NSA Cam Ranh Bay
11/29/67-3/13/68 overhaul in Subic Bay, PI
Joseph Edward Faltisco, LTJG, OinC 4/68-6/68 An Thoi Horseheads, NY
William Robert "Bill" Hatfield, QM2 wc1hatfield@comcast.net 4/68-6/68 An Thoi Lacey, WA
Dennis Allen Spranger, QM2 daspranger@yahoo.com 4/68-6/68 An Thoi Racine, WI
George Joplin, GMG2 4/68-6/68 An Thoi
Faulk, EN2 4/68-6/68 An Thoi
Ralph Wayne Lambert, RD3 4/68-6/68 An Thoi
Michael Raymond Bernique, LTJG, OinC mrbernique@aol.com 7/68-2/69 An Thoi Dallas, TX
Robert Eugene Hornberger, GMG2 swiftboat@comcast.net 7/68-12/68 An Thoi Grovetown, GA
Edward Earl Kesselring, BM2 (No Computer) 7/68-2/69 An Thoi Red Lion, PA
Jimmy Wyatt Sanford, RD3 holjimsan@comcast.net 7/68-2/69 An Thoi Florence, MS
Wade Leslie Knutson, EN3 swiftboat3@cox.net 7/68-2/69 An Thoi Tucson, AZ
David Robert Hemenway, RDSN (No Computer) 7/68-12/68 An Thoi Milton, WI
Charles Ray Dorsey, EN2 ??-12/68 An Thoi deceased 11/20/2009 in Corpus Christi, TX
Mark Craig Nagy, GMGSN

bahialovers@hotmail.com

??-2/69 An Thoi Simi Valley, CA --- made GMG2
Richard Wayne Pees, LTJG, OinC dickpees@dbscorp.net 2/69-8/69 An Thoi WIA - 3/13/69 --- Ada, OH
Earl Nathan "Nate" Hollister, GMG3 2/69-8/69 An Thoi WIA - 3/13/69 --- deceased 7/12/1998 in New Hanover, NC
Leslie Lyle "Butch" Vorpahl, RD3 butch@ez-net.com 2/69-8/69 An Thoi WIA - 3/13/69 --- Oconto Falls, WI
Freddie Lee Arp, EN2 2/69-8/69 An Thoi WIA - 3/13/69 --- ??Trevor, WI??
John N. "Duff" Duffy, BM3 2/69-8/69 An Thoi ??Cameron, TX??
Walter G. Wolfe, GMG3 2/69-8/69 An Thoi WIA - 3/13/69
Kenneth Frank Tryner, ENS 3/13/69 An Thoi WIA - 3/13/69 --- deceased 6/9/2011 in Virginia Beach, VA
Denis Francis Daly, ENS, OinC 8/69-12/69 An Thoi WIA - 12/30/69 --- Boston, MA (made LT)
Robert Thomas Wedge Jr, QM1 karaoke_bob@yahoo.com 10/69-12/69 An Thoi WIA - 12/30/69 --- Loretto, TN
Robert Wesley Anderson, EN2 rwaudit@aol.com 8/69-3/70 An Thoi Columbus, MT
Kevin Tee McKeeman, RDSN mac5@tctelco.net 9/69-4/70 An Thoi WIA - Abilene, KS
Gary Elwood Townsend, EN3 xindaget@cableone.net 9/69-7/70 An Thoi Ingleside, TX
Paulmer Allen "Tom" Selvage, GMG3 11/69-3/70 An Thoi Iberia, MO
Donald Henry Clemen, BM3 uncledonups@sbcglobal.net 11/69-4/70 An Thoi Aurora, IL
Robert Cook, QM1 1970
John B. Sparaga, ENFN 12/69-3/70 An Thoi
Kenneth Louis McCraw Jr, LTJG, OinC kmccraw@tacsnet.org 3/70-8/70 An Thoi Cedar Park, TX
1 September 1970 transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3902


- Along with PCF 4, were the first boats to arrive in South Vietnam, at An Thoi, 30 October 1965. PCFs 3 & 4 were transported via a US Navy LSD from Subic Bay, PI to Phu Quoc Island, RVN. Two hours after their arrival at An Thoi, PCFs 3 & 4 were on patrol for the first time with a fire mission that hit 95% of its targets and killed 9 VC.

- PCF 3 was almost lost 18 September 1967, when in transit from Cam Ranh Bay to An Thoi, after stress corrosion repair, when it's port shaft broke. This incident brought about a change in COMCOSRON 1 Standing Orders, "No PCFs may take unaccompanied trips."

- PCF's 3, 13, 23 and 42 were loaded aboard the USS Belle Grove LSD 2 on 29 November 1967, and then transported to the Naval Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. These were the first four boats, of an eventual 24, scheduled for out-of-country overhaul because of serious hull corrosion in the main cabin bilges. All PCF's scheduled for this program were to exit from and return to country from a centralized point at Cam Ranh Bay. All ordnance equipment was off loaded at Cam Ranh Bay, prior to departure for the yards and would be overhauled by the Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay personnel. PCF's going through the out-of-country overhauls were programmed to receive design improvements, in addition to the refurbishing of the existing equipment. Some of the more significant improvements to be implemented included a more reliable 24 volt electrical system, a higher capacity drainage system and installation of a more powerful AC generator. In the attempt to stop, or at least slow down the rate of hull corrosion in the remaining 62 PCF's not scheduled for these overhauls, a program was initiated involving the application of special anti-corrosive paint and placement of magnesium anodes throughout the bilges.

PCF-3 on board USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)

PCF 3 on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5, for the return trip to Vietnam,
after it's corrosion repair overhaul at the US Naval Shipyard in Subic Bay, PI.
(photo by RM3 Michael Anderson)

- On 13 March 1968, PCF 3 arrived at An Thoi, having completed its out-of country corrosion overhaul.

- A large operation on the Cua Lon and Bo De Rivers took place on 29 October 1968. In this operation, three PCFs entered the Bo De River as four others came up the Cua Lon river. Heavy recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire was encountered by PCFs 28, 32 and 103, about 3 miles up the Bo De River. The fire was suppressed and the three craft proceeded to rendezvous with PCFs 3, 36, 50 and 94 at a point 10 miles up the Cua Lon River. Here a wounded crewman from PCF 103 was transferred to PCF 94 for evacuation out the Cua Lon in company with PCF 50. The remaining five "Swifts" returned toward the mouth of the Bo De under cover of Vietnamese Air Force A-1s, methodically destroying craft and structures found along the waterway. The results included 17 structures, 170 sampans and one large junk destroyed plus 85 structures and 74 sampans damaged. Four other "Swift" boat crewman were slightly wounded.

- On 5 May 1968, PCF 73 and PCF 3 provided emergency salvage assistance for RVNN PGM 611 which had struck a rock and was sinking off Phu Quoc Island.

- On 13 November 1968, PCF 3 and PCF 36 raided enemy positions in the Cua Lon river, destroying numerous sampans and structures. One PCF crewman was wounded when PCF 36 received a recoilless rifle hit while exiting the river. PCF 36 returned the enemy fire and destroyed the enemy emplacement, observing a large fireball.

- On 27 December 1968, PCFs 3, 5, 9, 43 and 93 raided enemy positions in the Cua Lon river and Bo De river, destroying numerous sampans and structures and killing 1 Viet Cong. Enemy fire was encountered twice during the raid and 2 USN crewmen were wounded.

- On 11 February 1969, 10 PCFs teamed with as LSMR, an LST, an MSO, a WPB, a WHEC, an airborne spotter, Air Force jets and Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops to carry out eight hours of operations on the southern portion of the Ca Mau Peninsula, SEALORDS 308.
After preparatory naval gunfire by USCGC Wachuset WHEC 44, USCGC Point Cypress and USS White River LSMR 536, the river incursions began at 1223. At the mouth of the Rach Duong Keo PCFs 43, 44 and 71 proceeded approximately 2.5 miles up river while 20 MSF troops swept up the east river bank. Also starting from the same point PCFs 3, 10 and 31 proceeded about two miles up the Trum Gong River for a psyops broadcast. At the same time 10 miles to the east-northeast PCFs 28, 53, 60 and 103 entered the Rach Nang and in just four minutes came under heavy hostile fire from the south bank, about one mile up river. With PCF 103 taking two rocket rounds in the port engine and PCF 60 hit in the bow below the waterline, all four craft turned back down river and cleared the mouth about 15 minutes later. Two men were slightly wounded in this engagement, one each from PCF's 60 and 53.
The effort to save PCF 60, which was starting to settle by the bow, continued for over an hour. PCF 60 had to beach on a sandbar outside the canal to avoid sinking. The boat's flooding was brought under control, even though the bow had already gone below the surface, after a P-250 pump, provided by the Point Cypress, and delivered by PCF 44, was received. The boat was then temporarily repaired by its own crew with more permanent repairs being made later by the White River.
The remaining undamaged craft assembled for another venture up the Rach Nang after the enemy positions were hit by air strikes and naval gunfire, in the early afternoon. At 1625 PCFs 3, 10, 31, 43, 44 and 71, with the MSF troops embarked, headed up river. The troops were landed at the river mouth and contact was soon made as PCF 71 took a rocket hit on it's port side. By 1630 the troops had surrounded the enemy firing position. In the ensuing fight two Viet Cong were killed and another probably killed before the enemy retreated up river with the MSF unit in pursuit, until darkness forced breaking contact. Despite vigorous attempts by the OinC and crew to control flooding and to beach PCF 71, it sank in 10 feet of water, only a half mile south of the river mouth. Units stood by PCF 71 and began salvage operations the following morning. Most of the electronic gear and the majority of weapons, including the 81mm mortar, were salvaged by the OinC and crew of PCF 44, despite some very dangerous sea conditions. The next day, 13 February, PCF 71 was successfully refloated by a salvage team.
Other minor casualties were on PCF 10 where three crewmen were wounded by flying, broken glass from a shot out pilothouse window.
Enemy losses to the PCF and MSF forces, that day, came to 27 bunkers, 20 claymore mines, 28 grenades, one structure, and one sampan destroyed; 2 AK-47 rifles captured and numerous bunkers damaged. One MSF soldier was wounded.

- PCF 3 was heavily damaged, by the explosion of an enemy mine, under the hull, 13 March 1969.

- Market Time Raiders conducted SEA LORDS mission 564 on 4 July 1969, along the Song Ong Doc and Song Dong Cung about 22 miles northwest of New Nam Can. Five PCFs with RF troops from Song Ong Doc and UDT Detachment G were underway at 0730 and inserted troops along the Song Ong Doc, where they started sweeping to the southeast. PCF 3 snapped it's port shaft while extracting from the beach and was directed to proceed to An Thoi for repairs.

- During a PSYOPS mission on the Dam Doi river, 30 December 1969, PCF 3 in company with PCFs 45, 52, VNN PCF 3810 and Zippo-2, was ambushed with B-40 rockets. PCF 3 received one hit on the starboard side of the pilothouse that resulted in the wounding of the OinC and helmsman.

- While patrolling on the Rac Giang Thanh, 25 April 1970, PCFs 3 and 94 came under heavy AK-47 and B-40 rocket attack. Three (3) B-40 rockets detonated close aboard PCF 94, causing shrapnel damage, the starboard bow was also hit by 9 AK-47 rounds. One crewman on PCF 3 was also wounded when a probable recoilless round passed through the boat, from starboard to port, just aft of the cabin and exploded when it hit the water. Flack jackets hanging over the cable lines around the rear deck likely saved his life. The PCFs suppressed the fire and then spotted for a SEAWOLVE strike on the surrounding area.

PCF 4

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
30 October 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
Charles David Lloyd, LTJG, OinC foxtr84593@aol.com 11/65-2/66 An Thoi WIA - 2/14/66 --- Clinton, MD
Robert Russell Johnson, RM3 rj.warrant4@yahoo.com 11/65-2/66 An Thoi WIA - 2/14/66 --- Tyler, TX
Al Naugh(t), QM3 11/65-1/66 An Thoi transferred off the crew when he caught Hepatitis --- ??Tacoma, WA??
Joaquin Charles "Jack" Rodriguez, EN2 11/65-2/66 An Thoi KIA - 2/14/66 --- Jackson Heights, NY
Tommy Edward Hill, BM2 11/65-2/66 An Thoi KIA - 2/14/66 --- Knoxville, TN
Dayton Luther Rudisill, GMG2 11/65-2/66 An Thoi KIA - 2/14/66 --- Vale, NC
David Joseph Boyle, SN 1/66-2/66 An Thoi KIA - 2/14/66 --- Woodland, CA


- Along with PCF 3, were the first boats to arrive in South Vietnam, at An Thoi, 30 October 1965. PCFs 3 & 4 were transported via a US Navy LSD from Subic Bay, PI to Phu Quoc Island, RVN. Two hours after their arrival at An Thoi, PCFs 3 & 4 were on patrol for the first time with a fire mission that hit 95% of its targets and killed 9 VC.

- Boat and four (4) personnel were lost to a remotely triggered mine explosion, a few hundred yards from shore, on the eastern edge of Baie de Cau Duong, 14 February 1966. Although the boat was recovered, it was not repairable and was transferred to Subic Bay, PI, studied and then stripped for use as spare parts.

- PCF 4, and its crewmen, were the first Swift boat loses of the Vietnam conflict. (Story)

PCF 5

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
24 December 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
Theodore Anthony Wright III, ENS, OinC tawdino@gmail.com 12/65-5/66 An Thoi Boquete, Republic of Panama
James Thomas Green, BM1 12/65-5/66 An Thoi ??San Diego, CA??
Jesse Phillip Stewart, EN2 (SS) jstewart002@ec.rr.com 12/65-5/66 An Thoi Havelock, NC
Preston Mark Nelson Jr, BM3 12/65-5/66 An Thoi deceased 12/11/09 --- Wagoner, OK
George Cleveland Rekow, GMG3 t1658a@live.com 12/65-5/66 An Thoi Cottonwood, AZ
Kenneth C. Neal, RMSN 12/65-5/66 An Thoi
Thomas B. Haney, LTJG, OinC 4/66-4/67 An Thoi was from Oklahoma City, OK
??James Joseph?? Corbett, BM2 66 An Thoi
Adrian Gary Jones, GMG2/1 garjon007@hotmail.com 66 An Thoi Livingston, LA
Donald Keith Boden, EN2 cpocrusher@yahoo.com 66-67 An Thoi Albuquerque, NM
Brackett, RM3 66 An Thoi
Gary Davenport, SN 66 An Thoi was from Kentucky
John Henry Morgan II, LTJG, OinC 66-3/67 An Thoi Woodbridge, VA
Dennis Petty, BM1 66 An Thoi ??Santa Rossa, CA??
Pollack, GMG2 66 An Thoi
Don Arthur Voss, EN2 66 An Thoi deceased 2/1/2008 in Mesa, AZ
??Douglas Ray?? Bolling, RM2 66 An Thoi
??Louis?? Kuenker, SN 66 An Thoi ??deceased??
Dana Gene Fitzsimons, RMSN 1/66-12/66 An Thoi Clearwater, FL
Michael Leroy Baker, EN1 mlbaker@sbcglobal.net 1/67-1/68 An Thoi National City, CA
John Joseph Sullivan, LTJG, OinC johnjsul@yahoo.com 4/67-7/67 An Thoi Pompano Beach, FL
??John A.?? Hicks, GMG(3) ??/67-7/67 An Thoi ??Louisiana??
Marty Clayton Becktell, SA martyb@rochester.rr.com 3/67-7/67 An Thoi Rochester, NY
Christopher Ream, LTJG, OinC ream@aya.yale.edu 7/67-12/67 An Thoi Palo Alto, CA
Merlin Edward "Ed" Mundy Jr, QM2 edmundydav@gmail.com 7/67-12/67 An Thoi Spencer, IN
Dalton Carl "Butch" Heck, EN2 7/67-12/67 An Thoi Sidney, OH
Walter James "Moose" Torney, BM3 7/67-12/67 An Thoi New Baltimore, MI
Robert Lee Moreno, RD3 softballmore65@yahoo.com 7/67-12/67 An Thoi San Antonio, TX
Allen Smith, GMGSN 7/67-12/67 An Thoi Pennsylvania
12/20/67-4/30/68 overhaul in Sasebo, Japan
John Patrick Murphy, LTJG, OinC 5/68-12/68 An Thoi deceased 5/28/1996 in Southport, CT
Robert Earle Dooley, EN2(SS) cowboy@galstar.com 5/68-12/68 An Thoi
"Red" Johnson, BM3 5/68-12/68 An Thoi
Bobby Joe McRath, BM3 bjmcrath@charter.net 5/68-12/68 An Thoi Florissant, MO
Peter F. Larkin, RDSN 5/68-12/68 An Thoi
William Albert Shumadine, LTJG, OinC bshumadine@vabch.com 12/68-4/69 An Thoi Suffolk, VA
David D. Jacques, QM1 12/68-3/69 An Thoi
Anthony Ronald Marvic, EN2 12/68-4/69 An Thoi Henderson, NV
Bobby Joe McRath, BM3 bjmcrath@charter.net 12/68-2/69 An Thoi Florissant, MO
Jose Elubin Maez, GMG3 koa.loves.tj@gmail.com 12/68-2/69 An Thoi Chinook, WA
Peter F. Larkin, RDSN 12/68-2/69 An Thoi
Ammon Earl Ward Jr, GMG3 2/69-4/69 An Thoi replacement for Maez --- Hillsboro, OR
David Robert Hemenway, RDSN (No Computer) 2/69-4/69 An Thoi replacement for Larkin --- Milton, WI
David George Marquardson, QM2 3/69-4/69 An Thoi replacement for Jacques --- Concord, CA
Henry "Buddy" Berman III, QM2 4/69-4/69 An Thoi replacement for Marquardson --- deceased 6/8/2004 in DeLeon Springs, FL
Edward John "Bub" Morgan Jr, LTJG, OinC bandcm@tds.net 4/69-7/69 An Thoi Wilmot Flat, NH
Francis Charles Gless, QM2 fcgless@att.net 4/69-7/69 An Thoi Fresno, CA
Dennis James Makovsky, EN2 vfw7293@gmail.com 4/69-7/69 An Thoi Whitehall, PA

Jaime Montenegro Garcia, EN2

patrickgarcia1@hotmail.com

4/69-7/69 An Thoi

San Diego, CA

Michael Scott Phelan, GMG3 4/69-7/69 An Thoi St Louis, MO
James Arthur Wruck, GMG3 4/69-7/69 An Thoi Franklin, NC

John Hart Davis, GMGSN

jd@jhdavisassoc.com

4/69-7/69 An Thoi

Garcia or Gless replacement when transferred home --- Yolo, CA

Edward John "Bub" Morgan Jr, LTJG, OinC bandcm@tds.net 7/69-10/69 An Thoi Wilmot Flat, NH
Billy Ray Roles, EN1 7/69-11/69 An Thoi Mira Loma, CA
Donald Russell Twedell II, QM2 7/69-11/69 An Thoi Parker, CO
Jon Richard Miller, QM2 jon.r.miller@usace.army.mil 7/69-11/69 An Thoi Jefferson City, MO
Ray A. Sears, BM3 7/69-11/69 An Thoi
John Vincent Hecker, RDSN Rivrat11@aol.com 7/69-11/69 An Thoi Erie, PA
Robert Alan Scattergood, LTJG, OinC bscattergood@grandecom.net 10/69-11/69 An Thoi Waco, TX
Tay Van Nguyen, BM2 taynguyen802@yahoo.com.au 1969 An Thoi Burton South Australia, Australia
William Lynn Rogers, LTJG, OinC willrogers@swiftharbor.com 2/70-3/70 Cam Ranh Bay Gig Harbor, WA
Chester Eugene "P.O." Mizzell, RDSN 2/70-3/70 Cam Ranh Bay Thorsby, AL
1 April 1970 Cam Ranh Bay transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3863
Le Cu, Trung Uy, OinC 4/70-??/70 Cam Ranh Bay KIA


- PCFs 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and their crews, were transported together, in the well deck of the USS Catamount LSD 17, from Subic Bay to Phu Quoc Island (An Thoi) arriving 24 December 1965.

- PCF 5 was transferred from An Thoi to Cat Lo in mid December 1967, by LTJG Alexander John Ogrinz and crew, to begin the out-of-country overhaul program for PCFs with serious hull corrosion problems.

- PCF's 5, 37, 44, and an unknown fourth PCF, were loaded aboard a US Navy LSD on 20 December 1967, and then transported to the Naval Ship Repair Facility, Sasebo, Japan for out-of-country overhaul because of serious hull corrosion in the main cabin bilges. These were the first boats to be overhauled at the Sasebo, Japan Naval Ship Repair Facility. PCF's going through the out-of-country overhauls were programmed to receive design improvements, in addition to the refurbishing of the existing equipment. Some of the more significant improvements to be implemented included a more reliable 24 volt electrical system, a higher capacity drainage system and installation of a more powerful AC generator. In the attempt to stop, or at least slow down the rate of hull corrosion in the remaining 62 PCF's not scheduled for these overhauls, a program was initiated involving the application of special anti-corrosive paint and placement of magnesium anodes throughout the bilges.

- PCF's 5, 37 and 44 returned to Cam Ranh Bay on 30 April 1968, from out-of-country overhaul on in Sasebo, Japan on board the USS Comstock LSD 19.

- On 6 May 1968, PCF 5 arrived at An Thoi, having completed its out-of country corrosion overhaul.

- On 3 November 1968, PCF 5 and PCF 11 responded to a Market Time policeman operation in the Cai Lon river. PCF 5 came under enemy fire during the operation, sustaining minor damage.

- On 20 November 1968, PCF 43 and PCF 82 provided emergency NGFS for Song Ong Doc Regional Force troops, sweeping Viet Cong positions near Area 9C. PCF 5, PCF 43 and PCF 82 made first entry into the Bay Hap river and transited to the remote outpost at Cai Nuoc village, killing 11 Viet Cong during the transit. The outpost was in danger of falling into the hands of the Viet Cong and had but a small supply of ammunition left. After supplying the outpost with needed ammunition, the PCFs exited the river, taking targets of opportunity under fire. The boats came under intense enemy fire while exiting, resulting in minor damage to all PCFs and 1 OinC wounded. The PCFs returned fire, killing an estimated 11 Viet Cong and destroying or damaging numerous sampans, structures and bunkers.

- On 27 December 1968, PCFs 3, 5, 9, 43 and 93 raided enemy positions in the Cua Lon river and Bo De river, destroying numerous sampans and structures and killing 1 Viet Cong. Enemy fire was encountered twice during the raid and 2 USN crewmen were wounded.

- Eight PCFs, with 6th Battalion VNMC troops embarked, sailed the Duong Keo River during the late afternoon of 12 April 1969, for a sweep operations in the day's objective area. At 1734, a large scale enemy initiated firefight, by an estimated two Viet Cong companies, was unleashed as the PCFs, in column formation, reached a position four miles upstream from the river's mouth. Detonation of two claymore mines, from the northeast bank, was immediately followed by intensive B-40 rocket, recoilless rifle (R/R), .30 and .50 caliber machine gun, rifle-grenade and small arms fire. PCF 43 was hit by R/R and B-40 rounds which disabled her steering gear and fatally wounded the boat skipper, LTJG D. G. Droz. The boat beached at high speed into the center of the ambush site, as B-40 rockets continued to smash into her. Uninjured crewmen and UDT personnel aboard set up a hasty perimeter around the boat as PCFs 5 and 31 returned alongside to assist the stricken PCF 43, at the same time maintaining a heavy volume of fire. Seawolves reacted in five minutes and placed heavy machine gun fire into the area. Enemy fire was suppressed. All personnel were removed from PCF 43 and PCFs 5 and 31 cleared the area. Later, a fire in PCF 43 reached UDT ammunition stores on board and created an explosion which destroyed the craft. Final results of the disaster were three US Navy personnel killed with 33 others wounded and two Vietnamese Marines killed with another 13 wounded. One PCF (43) destroyed, two others badly damaged, and two others received moderate damage. Enemy losses were 18 Viet Cong killed (2 body count and 16 estimated). UPI story After Action Reports (3)

- On the morning of 5 June 1969, five PCFs with UDT 13 Detachment G and RF troops from Hai Yen embarked, entered the Duong Keo River for an intended sweep along the Xeo Duong Keo River. Enroute to the target area, the lead boat, PCF 5, received small arms fire and shrapnel hits from two claymore mines detonated from the southeast side of the river. The PCFs were beached and OV-10 strikes were called into the area and Seawolves scrambled. On completion of the OV-10 strikes the ground forces were inserted and destroyed the ambush site. At noon the troops were extracted and the original mission was aborted. One sampan, 12 bunkers, eight structures, 15 booby traps and one mine were destroyed, while three US sailors and one Vietnamese trainee received minor wounds.

- On 9 August 1969, a SEA FLOAT mission was conducted with seven PCFs, USS Gallup PG 85, USS Asheville PG 84, EOD and UDT Detachment G, MSF troops and Seawolves participating. The operation commenced with the Swift boats inserting the troops on Rach Ba Than and Rach Buong, about five miles east of Seafloat for sweeps south. During a day of frequent contact PCF elements were ambushed on five separate occasions with rockets, small arms fire and a mine, resulting in PCFs 5, 40 and 31 receiving minor damage. One US sailor and three MSF troops were wounded. The ground troops later swept the ambush areas and captured 58 booby traps, two large charges, 60 Japanese knee mortar grenades and three hundred rounds of ammunition. Ten bunkers, three structures and one barricade were destroyed and two VC were killed.

- On the morning of 29 September 1969, PCFs 93 and 5, while in a waterborne guard post about three miles from the mouth of the Bo De River, observed a 65-foot ocean-going junk (MT594 NTDC) proceeding slowly up the Bo De River from sea. The "Swift" boats got underway, illuminated the junk and proceeded alongside. Six males, on the bow of the junk, threw a small box over the side and were frantically trying to cut free a fishing net hanging over the side. The PCF crewmen boarded the junk and seized all males before they could cut the net. The extreme weight of the net precluded bringing it on deck and also precluded towing the junk due to its drag. The net was then cut and sank with its contents. The junk was then towed to Sea Float and while enroute one detainee offered a PCF VNN trainee 3,000 piasters to release them. The six detainees were turned over to Sea Float for interrogation.

- PCF 3863 was destroyed by a mine explosion, killing the OinC and one other crewmember, midyear 1970.

PCF 6

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
24 December 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
Willard Springer Mahood, LT, OinC 66-10/66 An Thoi Skaneateles, NY
Robinson, BM1 66 An Thoi
Roberts, GMG2 66 An Thoi
Simpson, EN2 66 An Thoi
Carter, SN 66 An Thoi
Dail, RM3 66 An Thoi
Robert E. Pausch, LTJG, OinC ??/66-2/67 An Thoi Sarasota, FL
Schmitt, BM2 ??/66-2/67 An Thoi
Cambell, GMG1 ??/66-2/67 An Thoi
Darrell M. Waldrup, EN2 ??/66-2/67 An Thoi
D. Benton, RM3 ??/66-2/67 An Thoi
Donald Lee Meyer, SN ??/66-2/67 An Thoi
Gregory M. Ward, FN 11/66-11/67 An Thoi
William M. McNelis, LTJG, OinC yochet31@aol.com 2/67-10/67 An Thoi/Qui Nhon/An Thoi Staten Island, NY
Francis, BM2 2/67-10/67 An Thoi/Qui Nhon/An Thoi
(John J.) Markoviak, EN2 2/67-10/67 An Thoi/Qui Nhon/An Thoi
Reed Engle, GMG3 2/67-9/67 An Thoi/Qui Nhon/An Thoi was from Iowa or Nebraska
Johnson, RM3 2/67-4/67 An Thoi was from California (left country 17 June 67, medical)
Jackie Lee Smith, SN jackls256@yahoo.com 2/67-10/67 An Thoi/Qui Nhon/An Thoi Woodward, OK
22 April 1967 An Thoi boat transferred to Qui Nhon
6 May 1967 Qui Nhon boat transferred back to An Thoi
William Joseph Leckey, LTJG, OinC william_leckey@ml.com 8/67-8/68 An Thoi Devon, PA
William Robert "Bill" Hatfield, QM2 wc1hatfield@comcast.net 8/67-3/68 An Thoi Lacey, WA
Harvey P(reston) Downs, QM2 8/67-3/68 An Thoi ??Parlin, NJ??
Robert C. Smith, BM2 8/67-3/68 An Thoi was from San Francisco, CA
Arthur P. Shields, BM3 8/67-3/68 An Thoi
Foley, EN3 8/67-3/68 An Thoi was from Longview or Kelso, WA
Gordon Franklin Gilbert Jr, LT, OinC 4/68-1/69 An Thoi deceased 8/5/1976 in Piggott, AR
Harold W. Gordon, QM2 gordonharsha@hotmail.com 4/68-11/68 An Thoi Virginia Beach, VA --- ??made chief??
David DeWayne Hoover, QM2 ddhoo@live.com 4/68-1/69 An Thoi WIA 12/25/68 --- Harrisonburg, VA
Richard J. Smith, EN2 4/68-1/69 An Thoi was from Kansas
Anthony Bryant "Tony" Colston, RD3 4/68-10/68 An Thoi WIA - 10/68 --- Mission Viejo, CA
Henry Howard Burvenich Jr, GMGSN bigburv@optonline.net 4/68-10/68 An Thoi Lindenhurst, NY --- medevaced out
Mark M. Lilenthal, RD3 10/68-1/69 An Thoi replacement for Colston
Chester Bennett Bishop Jr, GMGSN bing87@comcast.net 10/68-1/69 An Thoi replacement for Burvenich --- Rowley, MA
Clyde L. "Buddy" Pilgrim, BM3 11/68-1/69 An Thoi ??replacement for Gordon?? ---Anderson, SC
Larry James Balok, LTJG, OinC seascow@msn.com 1/69-1/69 Cat Lo Bradenton, FL
Douglas Scott Martin, ENS, OinC dsmartin67@gmail.com 1/69-2/69 Cat Lo/An Thoi Monroe Township, NJ
Francis John Stevens Jr, BM3 franstevens22@comcast.net 1/69-2/69 Cat Lo/An Thoi WIA - 1/11/69 --- Sandwich, MA
1/12-1/14/69 Cat Lo battle damage repair at Cat Lo
2/11/69-11/27/69 Saigon Vietnamese Swift School training boat
John Joseph Billowitz, LTJG, OinC chocolatejonmar@aol.com 11/69-1/70 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Brookline, MA
Weymouth Daniel Symmes Jr, RD2 WeySymmes@aol.com 11/69-1/70 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Missoula, MT
Tony Paul Gisclair, BM3 11/69-1/70 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Poplarville, MS
Edward Ronald "Tex" Stokes, GMG3 ers@earthlink.net 11/69-1/70 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Mobile, AL
Gary Paul Alexander, GMG3 11/69-1/70 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Norwalk, IA
Larry Dean Jorgensen, EN2 ljorg46@yahoo.com 11/69-1/70 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Ewing, NE
Ruston Merril Calisch, LTJG, OinC 1/70-?? Cat Lo San Clemente, CA
2/20-4/4/70 overhaul at NSF Cat Lo
18 June 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3886


- PCFs 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and their crews, were transported together, in the well deck of the USS Catamount LSD 17, from Subic Bay to Phu Quoc Island (An Thoi) arriving 24 December 1965.

- On 15 April 1968, a special PCF naval gunfire element consisting of PCFs 6, 11, 38 and 74 conducted an intensive gunfire mission in an area northwest of Rach Gia on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The area, which had been the scene of numerous hostile fire incidents in recent weeks, was saturated with 81mm mortars and .50 caliber machine gun fire. An airborne spotter reported all rounds on target, destroying 45 structures and killing one Viet Cong (probable). During the mission, the Swift boats received heavy hostile fire with PCF's 38 and 74 taking a number of hits.

- On 22 April 1967 boat transferred from An Thoi to Qui Nhon. On 6 May 1967 boat transferred back to An Thoi.

- On 6 March 1968, PCF 6 was taken under enemy fire in Area 9F, receiving minor damage to her engine room. Enemy fire was returned and suppressed.

- On 13 November 1968, while providing support for a VNN Coastal Group 41 operation at the mouth of the Cua Lon PCFs 6 and 36 encountered automatic weapons and rocket fire. One B-40 round hit PCF 36 causing moderate damage and wounding one crewman.

- On 25 December 1968, PCF 6 and PCF 57 raided enemy positions in the Duong Keo river and destroyed several sampans and structures. The boats came under enemy fire while exiting and 2 USN crewmen were wounded.

- PCF 6 was transferred to the Vietnamese Swift School in Saigon on 11 February and later returned to Cat Lo on 27 November 1969.

- PCF 6 sustained a 4' x 5' hole, port side frame #10, when hit by a Vietnamese water taxi, 23 September 1969.

PCF 7
Dates Crews Bases Call Sign ID Color Code Comments
1965-70 Nearly everyone Coronado and Mare Island, CA Ensign 7 Amber/Green/Blue Training Boat - Mark I


***All swift boat crew training was done in Coronado, CA until July 1969, when it was moved to Mare Island, CA***

PCF 8

Dates Crews Bases Call Sign ID Color Code Comments
1965-69 Nearly everyone Coronado and Mare Island, CA Ensign 8 Blue/Green/Amber Training Boat - Mark I


***All swift boat crew training was done in Coronado, CA until July 1969, when it was moved to Mare Island, CA***

- While conducting routine training operations to seaward of Bodega Bay at about 2200, Thursday, 18 December 1969, a training incident occurred resulting in the sinking of PCF 8 and the grounding of PCF 1. There were no serious personnel casualties. (1969 Classified Command History entry of the Naval Inshore Operations Training Center, Mare Island, CA) story

PCF 9

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
24 December 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
James A. Ferguson, LTJG, OinC 12/65-4/66 An Thoi was from Leominster, MA --- ?Wayland, MA - CPA?
Vernon Griffith Boyd, QM1 Saddlup1@oz.net 12/65-4/66 An Thoi made chief --- Puyallup, WA
Dale Martin Goff, BM2 zwalkinglib@hotmail.com (brother) 12/65-?? An Thoi deceased 6/25/2005 in Tacoma, WA
James Shults Mills, GMG2 chiefknothead@mchsi.com 12/65-4/66 An Thoi Lanark Village, FL
Dennis Lee Hyde, RMSN 12/65-4/66 An Thoi
William Mendiola Roberto, EN3 12/65-4/66 An Thoi was from Guam
Frederick Westc Bruns, LTJG, OinC fredbruns@cox.net 1/66-12/66 An Thoi Leucida, CA
Max Louis Van Fossen, BM1 66 An Thoi made chief --- San Diego, CA
Robert James Kajer, GMG2/1 66-1/69 An Thoi deceased 3/6/2003 in Mesa, AZ
G. Mitchell, EN2 66 An Thoi
J(ames Terrance) Bates, RM3 66 An Thoi
Cain, RM3 66 An Thoi
Charles Marvin Robinson, LTJG, OinC 66 An Thoi/Cat Lo deceased 5/14/1997 in Miami, FL
Charles Richard Tinstman, EN1/C 3/66-3/67 An Thoi/Cat Lo deceased 8/30/2004 in San Diego, CA
Warner, BM2 66 An Thoi/Cat Lo was from New Mexico
Donald Henry "Hank" McInnis, RD3 donmcinnis@aol.com 66 An Thoi/Cat Lo Portland, ME and Las Vegas, NV
Bennett, GMG3 66 An Thoi/Cat Lo
John Charles Lorenz, RM3 j-c-lorenz@sbcglobal.net 66 An Thoi/Cat Lo St. Louis, MO
Garry Wayne Muetzel, SN garymuetzel@aol.com 4/66-11/66 An Thoi/Cat Lo Parma, OH
Peter G. Fortin, LT, OinC 66 An Thoi Chattaroy, WA
Lawrence A. Jellison, BM2 66 An Thoi deceased 7/26/1995 in Jerseyville, IL
William Robert Jones, EN2 66 An Thoi Mason, OH
John Lawrence, RM3 66 An Thoi Sunnyvale, CA
Wallace, GMG3 66 An Thoi
Evers, BM3 66 An Thoi
Donald James Mayo, EN2 (No Computer) 7/66-10/66 An Thoi Munford, TN
Stuart Michael Novak, LTJG, OinC ?-10/66 An Thoi WIA - 10/18/66 --- left country 8/2/67 --- Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hubert Tuck Jr, BM2 ?-10/66 An Thoi KIA - 10/18/66 --- Lenoir City, TN
Gale Jackson Hays, EN2 ?-10/66 An Thoi KIA - 10/18/66 --- Falling Rock, WV
Eugene Lawrence Self, QM3 ?-10/66 An Thoi KIA - 10/18/66 --- Carteret, NJ
Lucio Garcia Valdez, RM3 ?-10/66 An Thoi WIA - 10/18/66
Lane Mcbride Markle, GMG3 ?-10/66 An Thoi Glenwood Springs, CO
Norman Edward LeDuc, GMG3/2 67 An Thoi deceased 10/10/2009 in Manchester, NH
Thomas Jene Elliott, LTJG, OinC gnatman3@cox.net 4/67-8/67 An Thoi Santee, CA
Harry Lamoin Claar II, BM2 4/67-8/67 An Thoi Pahrump, NV
Edward Leroy Smith, RM2 4/67-8/67 An Thoi
Dale Decker Snell, GMG3 dale.snell@verizon.net 4/67-8/67 An Thoi Hesperia, CA
Jerry Arnold Rogers, EN3 4/67-8/67 An Thoi
Henry J. Golemme Jr, SN 4/67-8/67 An Thoi Rockland, MA --- ??made SK3??
Jack Walter Merkley, LTJG, OinC merkleyjm@aol.com 8/67-4/68 An Thoi Rochester, IL
Clarence Mims "Reds" Coley, BM1 8/67-5/68 An Thoi deceased 3/19/2003 in Newark, NJ
??San Nicholas, EN2?? 8/67-5/68 An Thoi was from Guam
Dean Curtis Powell, GMG2 dpowell@leadhill.net 8/67-5/68 An Thoi Lead Hill, AR

Joseph L(eroy) Meyer, RMSN

8/67-5/68 An Thoi St. Louis, MO
Kenneth C. Briggs Jr, FN ken.briggs@verizon.net 8/67-?? An Thoi Philadelphia, PA
John John Sullivan, LTJG, OinC johnjsul@earthlink.net 9/67-4/68 An Thoi Pompano Beach, FL
Arturo Enrique Arias, QM2 ariasaea@cs.com 9/67-4/68 An Thoi El Paso, TX
Phil N. Scrogum, BM2 realtorcarol@yahoo.com 9/67-?? An Thoi Decatur, TX
Larry Allen Guffey, EN2 9/67-?? An Thoi WIA - 1/3/68 --- Glouster, OH
Michael Winston Crow, GMG3 atcf@swbell.net 9/67-4/68 An Thoi Castroville, TX
Clair James Schrodt, LT cschrodt@earthlink.net 1/68-5/68 An Thoi deceased 3/4/2012 in Pocatello, ID
David L. Clayton, QM2 pcf93@ilkonet.com 68 An Thoi Alice, TX
Craig Leo Tiernan, RD3 cltiernan@gmail.com 1/68-5/68 An Thoi Berkeley, Heights, NJ
Bryan Walter Kowalczyk, GMGSN bkowal@cox.net 1/68-5/68 An Thoi WIA - 3/8/69 --- Las Vegas, NV
7/6-10/5/68 overhaul in Subic Bay, PI
Robert Leroy Crosby, LTJG, OinC 10/68-??/69 An Thoi South Hamilton, MA
David Marion Alston, GMG2 10/68-1/69 An Thoi Columbia, SC
Michael Manno, QM3 10/68-??/69 An Thoi
Gerald Robert Horrell, BM3 10/68-??/69 An Thoi North Hollywood, CA
Francis John Stevens Jr, SN franstevens22@comcast.net 10/68-1/69 An Thoi Sandwich, MA
George Walter Jones, EN3 10/68-??/69 An Thoi
Alfred Jesse French III, ENS/LTJG, OinC ajfrench3@gmail.com 11/68-11/69 Sea Float/An Thoi Damascus, OR
James Lindy Miller, RD1 jjmiller@wavecable.com 11/68-5/69 Sea Float/An Thoi WIA - 3/8/1969 - on 5/10/69 went to staff --- Port Orchard, WA
Donald E. Bradley, RD3 ??-3/69 Sea Float/An Thoi 4/1/69 transferred to PCF 44
George Walter Jones, EN3 ??-5/69 Sea Float/An Thoi 5/19/69 left to go North
Richard L. Baumberger Jr, BM3 1/69-5/69 Sea Float/An Thoi KIA - 5/5/1969 --- Mansfield, OH
Stanley Gustav Simonson, GMG2 stansimonson@msn.com ??/69-11/69 Sea Float/An Thoi Gold Bar, WA and Tucson, AZ
Mickey William Walker, GMG3 mickeywalker@yahoo.com 3/69-7/69 Sea Float/An Thoi left to go Cam Ranh Bay 7/27/69 --- Hixson, TN
Hoach, GMGSN, RVN 5/69-?? An Thoi 5/1/69 - RVN interpreter
Hercheck (sp), GMG2 5/69-?? Sea Float/An Thoi 5/8/69 - replacement for Baumberger
Billy Ray Burgess, EN3 burgfarm@yahoo.com 5/69-?? 5/20/69 - replacement for Jones --- Shirley, AR
Darryl Stephen "Bud" Skuce, GMG2 buju@xtalwind.net 6/69-8/69 Sea Float/An Thoi Inverness, FL --- replacement for
Robert W. Phillips Jr, EN3 7/69-6/70 Sea Float/An Thoi Lindside, WV - 7/4/69 replacement for
Henry "Buddy" Berman III, QM2 7/69-8/69 An Thoi deceased 6/8/2004 --- DeLeon Springs, FL
Walter Michael "Mike" Wroblowsky, RD3 mykro@bellsouth.net ??-8/69 An Thoi Hypoluxo, FL
7/20-7/27/1969 An Thoi repairs in An Thoi
William B. Kean III, LTJG, OinC 1/69-1/70 Sea Float/An Thoi Ewing, NJ
Daniel Milford Klinedinst, LTJG, OinC flfolks@hotmail.com 4/70-8/70 An Thoi Navarre, FL
1 September 1970 An Thoi transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3904
Ha Son Them, HQ Thieu Uy, OinC themsonha17@yahoo.com 9/70-11/70 Nam Can Garden Grove, CA
2 November 1970 XR 645160 lost during tropical storm NORA

- PCFs 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and their crews, were transported together, in the well deck of the USS Catamount LSD 17, from Subic Bay to Phu Quoc Island (An Thoi) arriving 24 December 1965.

- Three (3) personnel were lost and two (2) seriously injured, when the 81mm mortar inexplicably exploded, after the loading of a high-explosive round, while conducting shore bombardment in support of friendly forces, 18 October 1966. Further Info

- On 3 January 1968, PCF 9 received hostile automatic weapons fire while on a routine patrol approximately eight miles northeast of Ca Mau Point. While closing the beach to return and suppress the fire, one US Navy crewman suffered a bullet wound in the right thigh. The hostile fire was suppressed and the Swift boat's guns killed one Viet Cong and wounded several others.

PCF 9 aground

- Exact date of this grounding, and the crew involved, isn't known but the tide went out and PCF 9 DIDN'T!

- On 6 July 1968, PCF 9 sailed to Cam Ranh Bay for out-of-country corrosion overhaul.

- On 10 October 1968, PCF 9 arrived at An Thoi, having completed its out-of-country corrosion overhaul.

- On 26 October 1968, PCF 9 and PCF 93 made the first transit of the long and dangerous Rach Gia-Ha Tien canal gathering valuable information during the trip.

- While establishing a Waterborne Guard Post (WBGP), 22 November 1969, near the Cambodian border, PCF 9 was struck below the waterline of the bow, by a B-40 rocket, resulting in water damage to the interior of the boat and the slight wounding of one (1) crewmember.

- On 27 December 1968, PCFs 3, 5, 9, 43 and 93 raided enemy positions in the Cua Lon river and Bo De river, destroying numerous sampans and structures and killing 1 Viet Cong. Enemy fire was encountered twice during the raid and 2 USN crewmen were wounded.

- On 29 December 1968, PCFs 9, 21, 66 and 72 raided enemy positions in the Bay Hap river-Dong Cung canal destroying numerous sampans and structures, several bunkers and killing 1 Viet Cong. Enemy fire was encountered on 3 occasions, wounding 5 USN crewmembers and 1 USCG man.

- PCFs 9 and 96 came under heavy B-40 rocket attack, 6 March 1970, while patrolling the Rach Giang Thanh. PCF 9 took one (1) hit and PCF 96 received three (3) hits. One (1) VNN crewmember was slightly wounded.

- On the afternoon of 8 March 1969, PCFs 9 and 38, with MSF embarked, entered the Cua Lon River, 90 miles south of Rach Gia. The craft moved up river to the mouths of the Nhung Mien and Bien Nhan rivers where the troops were landed to investigate reports of enemy mines along the banks of these rivers. All units probed 1,000 yards south along the rivers with no contact or signs of mines. "Swift" boat gunfire destroyed four structures and one bunker before the troops were re-embarked. While enroute up river to the Cai Nhap the craft were taken under heavy enemy fire from both banks. All craft received hits, however, PCF 38 was the most seriously damaged as it lost one engine and took water into the engine compartment. After clearing the area the craft stopped and set up a defensive perimeter to wait for a medevac helicopter to pick up two USN and one MSF who were seriously wounded. Five other crewmen received minor wounds. After PCF 38 made temporary repairs the craft got underway and cleared the river late that night.

- PCFs 3904 and 3907 were lost on 2 November 1970, in the vicinity of XR 645160, while transiting the Vietnamese coast, as part of a group of six Vietnamese PCFs en route to Cat Lo for repairs, they were overtaken by tropical storm NORA and sank. Both crews were rescued without loss of life and the remaining swifts arrived at a safe haven off Coastal Group 36 at Long Phu.

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PCF 10

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
24 December 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
Ralph Grady Johnson, LTJG, OinC 12/65-4/66 An Thoi Albertville, AL
Billy Ray Tatum, GMG2 12/65-4/66 An Thoi Tatum, TX
Vincent Lee Robison, EN2 1thunder@prodigy.net 12/65-4/66 An Thoi Ashtabula, OH
Bert Warren Jeffries, QMSN bwjeffries@hotmail.com 12/65-4/66 An Thoi Salmon, ID
Huddleston, BM2 12/65-4/66 An Thoi
Roger William Duquet, RM3 825388@bellsouth.net 12/65-4/66 An Thoi Stuart, FL
Thomas Jason Petersik, LT, OinC tompetersik@yahoo.com ?4/66?-11/66 An Thoi St. Charles, IL
Carl C(layton) Ferris, BM1 '66 An Thoi ??Jackson, MI?? - was from Oregon
Dennis William Byram, GMG2 cookiecrumbs13@verizon.net (cousin) 65/66 An Thoi Coulterville, IL
Daniel Thomas Tingen, GMG3 tingen45@yahoo.com '66 An Thoi Las Cruces, NM
Eduardo Placido Arellano, RMSN '66 An Thoi
Smith, EN2 '66 An Thoi
Larry Alan Irwin, LTJG, OinC larryirwin99@gmail.com 10/66-9/67 An Thoi Menlo Park, CA
Jim Taylor, BM1 10/66-9/67 An Thoi
Gordon Jones, EN1 10/66-9/67 An Thoi
Danny Hannah, RM3 10/66-9/67 An Thoi
Basil Harris, GMG3 10/66-9/67 An Thoi served on a swift that had a light blue interior? (late 66-early 67)
Chuck White, BMSN 10/66-9/67 An Thoi
Robert Holcomb Wright, LTJG, OinC bk101@peop.tds.net 11/67-5/68 An Thoi deceased 9/8/1984 in Birmingham, AL
??Jim?? Hourseman, RD1 11/67-5/68 An Thoi ??Kingsburg, CA??
Lane Mcbride Markle, GMG3 11/67-5/68 An Thoi WIA --- Glenwood Springs, CO
Douglas, BM1 11/67-5/68 An Thoi
James Patrick Thomas, RD3 ThomasJimP@aol.com 11/67-5/68 An Thoi WIA - 2/16/1968 --- Henderson, NV
Daniel Thomas Tingen, SN tingen45@yahoo.com Las Cruces, NM
Larry Raymond Thurlow, LTJG, OinC pattythurlow@yahoo.com 5/68-12/68 An Thoi Bogue, KS
William A. Barnard, EN2 5/68-12/68 An Thoi was from Oregon
Arnold E. Thiele, BM3 5/68-12/68 An Thoi was from MN
John Earl Moon, GMGSN 5/68-12/68 An Thoi ?Carbondale, PA?
??Ron?? Taylor, RMSN 5/68-12/68 An Thoi
James Alphu Rue, GMGSN jimrue@nfwriter.com 5/68-12/68 An Thoi Livonia, MI
James Joseph Galvin Sr, LTJG, OinC jandbgalvin@msn.com 12/68-3/69 An Thoi Leesburg, VA
William A. Barnard, EN2 12/68-3/69 An Thoi was from Oregon
Arnold E. Thiele, BM3 12/68-3/69 An Thoi WIA - 1/13/69 --- was from MN
Roy Allen Barnes, RM3 roybarnesus@att.net 12/68-3/69 An Thoi Loomis, CA
John Earl Moon, GMGSN 12/68-3/69 An Thoi WIA - 1/20/69 - ?Carbondale, PA?
James Alphu Rue, GMGSN jimrue@nfwriter.com 12/68-3/69 An Thoi WIA - 1/13/69 --- Livonia, MI
3/11-6/16/69 overhaul at NSF Cat Lo
William Taber Ferris III, LTJG, OinC 7/69-9/69 Sea Float/An Thoi WIA - 9/3/69 --- Cutchogue, NY
Roy Franklin "Mack" McCord, QM2 katie11@ajinternet.net 7/69-9/69 Sea Float/An Thoi WIA - 9/3/69 --- Carmi, IL
Toby Talbert, EN3 7/69-9/69 Sea Float/An Thoi WIA - 9/3/69
John Sarifire, GMG3 7/69-9/69 Sea Float/An Thoi
Myers, RD?? 7/69-9/69 Sea Float/An Thoi
9/3-12/31/69 repair in Yokosuka, Japan
28 February 1970 DaNang transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3875


- PCFs 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and their crews, were transported together, in the well deck of the USS Catamount LSD 17, from Subic Bay to Phu Quoc Island (An Thoi) arriving 24 December 1965.

- On 3 December 1968, PCF 10, PCF 43, PCF 88 and PCF 93 raided Viet Cong positions deep into the Cai Lon river and destroyed 15 structures, 17 sampans, 9 junks and killed 1 Viet Cong. The boats encountered hostile fire on 3 occasions when exiting the river, inflicting minor damage to PCF 10 and PCF 43.

- On 11 February 1969, 10 PCFs teamed with as LSMR, an LST, an MSO, a WPB, a WHEC, an airborne spotter, Air Force jets and Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops to carry out eight hours of operations on the southern portion of the Ca Mau Peninsula, SEALORDS 308.
After preparatory naval gunfire by USCGC Wachuset WHEC 44, USCGC Point Cypress and USS White River LSMR 536, the river incursions began at 1223. At the mouth of the Rach Duong Keo PCFs 43, 44 and 71 proceeded approximately 2.5 miles up river while 20 MSF troops swept up the east river bank. Also starting from the same point PCFs 3, 10 and 31 proceeded about two miles up the Trum Gong River for a psyops broadcast. At the same time 10 miles to the east-northeast PCFs 28, 53, 60 and 103 entered the Rach Nang and in just four minutes came under heavy hostile fire from the south bank, about one mile up river. With PCF 103 taking two rocket rounds in the port engine and PCF 60 hit in the bow below the waterline, all four craft turned back down river and cleared the mouth about 15 minutes later. Two men were slightly wounded in this engagement, one each from PCF's 60 and 53.
The effort to save PCF 60, which was starting to settle by the bow, continued for over an hour. PCF 60 had to beach on a sandbar outside the canal to avoid sinking. The boat's flooding was brought under control, even though the bow had already gone below the surface, after a P-250 pump, provided by the Point Cypress, and delivered by PCF 44, was received. The boat was then temporarily repaired by its own crew with more permanent repairs being made later by the White River.
The remaining undamaged craft assembled for another venture up the Rach Nang after the enemy positions were hit by air strikes and naval gunfire, in the early afternoon. At 1625 PCFs 3, 10, 31, 43, 44 and 71, with the MSF troops embarked, headed up river. The troops were landed at the river mouth and contact was soon made as PCF 71 took a rocket hit on it's port side. By 1630 the troops had surrounded the enemy firing position. In the ensuing fight two Viet Cong were killed and another probably killed before the enemy retreated up river with the MSF unit in pursuit, until darkness forced breaking contact. Despite vigorous attempts by the OinC and crew to control flooding and to beach PCF 71, it sank in 10 feet of water, only a half mile south of the river mouth. Units stood by PCF 71 and began salvage operations the following morning. Most of the electronic gear and the majority of weapons, including the 81mm mortar, were salvaged by the OinC and crew of PCF 44, despite some very dangerous sea conditions. The next day, 13 February, PCF 71 was successfully refloated by a salvage team.
Other minor casualties were on PCF 10 where three crewmen were wounded by flying, broken glass from a shot out pilothouse window.
Enemy losses to the PCF and MSF forces, that day, came to 27 bunkers, 20 claymore mines, 28 grenades, one structure, and one sampan destroyed; 2 AK-47 rifles captured and numerous bunkers damaged. One MSF soldier was wounded.

- Boat was hit by a B-40 rocket and 75mm recoilless rifle fire 3 September 1969, in the Song Bo De river, where it joins the Rach Duong Keo canal. PCF 10 arrived alongside the USS Windham County LST 1170 at 1300H on 6 September 1969, and was moored alongside to starboard. There was a westerly wind, 20 to 25 knots with gusts to 40 knots and the seas were six to eight feet from the west. At 1730, PCF 10 began taking on water internally and the damage control party was called away and rigged pumps. The PCF commenced taking water over the stern faster than the pumps could remove it. At 2000H, a sudden squall occurred which negated all efforts to save the boat and it sank at 2015H in about 25 feet of water. All classified material, small arms and personal effects were removed prior to the sinking.
PCF 10 was dewatered and afloat at 1500H on 21 September 1969; salvage operations having been delayed by heavy weather. It was intended to tow the "Swift" boat to Vung Tau; however, after inspection she was found to be totally unseaworthy for tow and was then loaded on board the USS Whetstone LSD 27 and lifted to Cat Lo for repairs on 25 September 1969. On 13 October 1969, PCF 10 was loaded aboard the USS Ajax AR 6 for transfer to the Naval Base, Yokosuka, Japan, for repairs, arriving 28 October 1969.

PCF 11

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
24 December 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
James Henry Franklin III, LTJG, OinC jamesf118@comcast.net 12/65-5/66 An Thoi Old Mystic, CT
Jim Gray, BM1 12/65-5/66 An Thoi
Anthony Eugene Ballard GMG2 12/65-5/66 An Thoi ??Yuma, AZ??
Christopher J. Connell, BM3 ccxxl@northnet.org 12/65-5/66 An Thoi Lisbon, NY
Andrew George Miller, RM3 pcf11_1965@msn.com 12/65-5/66 An Thoi deceased 8/11/2006 in Hillsboro, OR
William Albert Gerich, EN3 bgerich@bellsouth.net 12/65-5/66 An Thoi Quitman, MS
Joseph Allan Fachinger, LT, OinC 5/66-4/67 An Thoi Louisville, KY (left country 20 April 1967)
Chris Davis, BM1 5/66-5/67 An Thoi made chief
Joseph Otto Sowards, EN2 5/66-5/67 An Thoi
Thomas Eugene Powley, RM3 t.powley@insightbb.com 5/66-5/67 An Thoi Louisville, KY
Bobby M. Kemp, GMG3 5/66-5/67 An Thoi Okeechobee, FL
Robert Pelotte, SN 5/66-?? An Thoi ??Cincinnati, OH??
John Thomas Oliver, SN blacknighttoo@excite.com (wife) ??-5/67 An Thoi deceased 1/11/2010 in Cartage, NC --- replacement for Pelotte
Walter Edward Kearns, LTJG, OinC 66- 2/67 An Thoi Reston, VA
Gilmore, BM2 66 An Thoi
Wilson, GMG3 66 An Thoi
Randy Beard, RM3 judybeard27@aol.com 66 An Thoi ??Houston, TX??
Thomas J. Kohr, SN marlkohr@lmf.net 3/66-9/67 An Thoi Lebanon, PA
Richard Charles Gustafson, LTJG, OinC rrgustafson@earthlink.net 6/67-6/68 An Thoi Bloomington, MN
William Harvey Arnold Sr, BM2 william_arnoldsr@comcast.net 6/67-6/68 An Thoi Poulsbo, WA
Morris Ray Finley, EN2 6/67-6/68 An Thoi Rushville, NY
Donald Lee Meyer, RM3 6/67-6/68 An Thoi
"Duffy", GMG3 6/67-6/68 An Thoi was from Indiana
Jim Schilling, SN 6/67-6/68 An Thoi Chula Vista, CA
12 December 1968 An Thoi boat sailed to Cat Lo for in country overhaul
James Milton Neveln, LTJG, OinC jimneveln@sbcglobal.net 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Reno, NV
Lawrence Charles Kuentzel, QM3 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo/Sa Dec deceased 6/22/2009 in Virginia Beach, VA - made chief (ret)
Gregory B. "Greg" Thacker, RD3 fivsec4460@msn.com 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Elkins, AR
Fred Richard Cooper, BM3 FCooper@greenvillecounty.org 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo/Sa Dec deceased 1/28/2007 in Pelzer, SC
Charles Edward Reuter, EN3 ReuterCE@aol.com 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Cedar Rapids, IA
Robert Earl Nowlin, GMG3 renowlin@yahoo.com 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo/Sa Dec Bedford, TX
Richard Colton Kern, LTJG, OinC kernnature@aol.com 6/69-11/69 Cat Lo Miami, FL
Trishitti, QM2 6/69-9/69 Cat Lo 9/21/69 sent back to the USA, family troubles
Wilson, RM? 6/69-9/69 Cat Lo
James William Newman Jr, BM3 6/69- Cat Lo
William Herbert Means, RD3 meanspi@sbcglobal.net 6/69- Cat Lo Bakersfield, CA
Carl L. Camp, GMG3 6/69- Cat Lo Casper, WY
Hoss, EN2 9/69- Cat Lo replacement for Wilson
Wilson, RM? 9/69- Cat Lo replacement for Trishitti
Richard Stephen Goetz, LTJG, OinC 11/69 Cat Lo replacement for Kern
Jeffrey Mize Wainscott, ENS, OinC bramwood@comcast.net 6/69-10/69 Burgess, VA
Viet Hung Truong, BM2 vh_truong@hotmail.com 8/69-1/70 Qui Nhon Bakersfield, CA
31 October 1969 Saigon transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3857
11/69-?? Qui Nhon South Vietnamese Naval service


- PCFs 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and their crews, were transported together, in the well deck of the USS Catamount LSD 17, from Subic Bay to Phu Quoc Island (An Thoi) arriving 24 December 1965.

- On 15 April 1968, a special PCF naval gunfire element consisting of PCFs 6, 11, 38 and 74 conducted an intensive gunfire mission in an area northwest of Rach Gia on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The area, which had been the scene of numerous hostile fire incidents in recent weeks, was saturated with 81mm mortars and .50 caliber machine gun fire. An airborne spotter reported all rounds on target, destroying 45 structures and killing one Viet Cong (probable). During the mission, the Swift boats received heavy hostile fire with PCF's 38 and 74 taking a number of hits.

- On 17 October 1968, PCF 11, PCF 38 and PCF 93 conducted a raid into the Viet Cong controlled lake south of the Ong Doc river and were credited with 3 Viet Cong WIA, 64 structures destroyed, 15 sampans destroyed and numerous livestock destroyed. The OinCs of PCF 38 and PCF 93 and one crewman were wounded during the raid when the PCFs came under light fire.

- On 3 November 1968, PCF 5 and PCF 11 responded to a Market Time policeman operation in the Cai Lon river. PCF 5 came under enemy fire during the operation, sustaining minor damage.

- On 12 December 1968, sailed to Cat Lo for in country overhaul.

- Boat departed Qui Nhon 25 October 1969 for Saigon and turnover to the Vietnamese Navy.

- In ceremonies on 31 October 1969, at the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard in Saigon, 13 PCFs were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy. The PCFs were numbers 11, 23, 42, 44, 47, 57, 58, 66, 67, 68, 91 and 100. They departed that afternoon for Qui Nhon and will commence MARKET TIME patrols in the Second Coastal Zone during November. The Coastal Surveillance Center, Qui Nhon is also scheduled for turnover to the Vietnamese Navy in early November.

PCF 12

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
24 December 1965 An Thoi first arrived in South Vietnam
George Charles Priebe Jr, ENS, OinC geocpreb@aol.com 12/65-3/66 An Thoi Woodstock, IL
L(onnie) L. Ellis, BM1 12/65-11/66 An Thoi ??West Virginia??
P.H. Harp, EN1 12/65-11/66 An Thoi
J.H. "Dusty" Rhodes, GMG3 12/65-11/66 An Thoi
Leonard Lay, RM 12/65-11/66 An Thoi
Raymond Richard Allen, SN BiggD21K@aol.com 12/65-2/66 An Thoi La Quinta, CA
Blair H. Wintersgill, LT, OinC 66-5/67 An Thoi was from Pittsburgh, PA
Ramsey, BM1 66 An Thoi
Holm, EN3 66 An Thoi
Robert Arthur Sikes, GMGSN 66 An Thoi Sacramento, CA
Richard Lewis Parsons, RMSN 66 An Thoi
Wright, SN 66 An Thoi
John L. McCorkle, ENS/LTJG, OinC 66/67 An Thoi was from Chapel Hill, NC
George "Red" Canady, BM1 66/67 An Thoi
Joseph Francis Chontos, RM3/2 exrock60@aol.com 66/67 An Thoi Chesapeake, VA
King Paul Mike, SN 66/67 An Thoi Tsaile, AZ
Terry "Smokey" Hart, GMSN 66/67 An Thoi was from New York state
Mike Baker, ENFN 66-3/67 An Thoi 3/67 developed medical problems and was transferred out
Lorenzo Ruiz Alvara Jr, EN3 dustyduck@suddenlink.net 3/67-11/67 An Thoi Eureka, CA --- replaced Baker
George Price Jr, OinC An Thoi Lake Bluff, IL
Christopher Ream, LT, OinC ream@aya.yale.edu 12/67-4/68 An Thoi Palo Alto, CA
Merlin Edward "Ed" Mundy Jr, QM1 edmundydav@gmail.com 12/67-4/68 An Thoi Spencer, IN
Dalton Carl "Butch" Heck, EN2 12/67-4/68 An Thoi Sidney, OH
Walter James "Moose" Torney, BM3 12/67-4/68 An Thoi New Baltimore, MI
Robert Lee Moreno, RD3 softballmore65@yahoo.com 12/67-4/68 An Thoi San Antonio, TX
Allen Smith, GMG3 12/67-4/68 An Thoi Pennsylvania
13 April 1968 An Thoi boat transferred to DaNang
Peter Burgess Snyder, LTJG, OinC pete@kis-kiosk.com 4/68-10/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Broomfield, CO
Gary E. Rosenberger, QM2 4/68-10/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Baltimore, MD
Johnnie Phillip Fitts, BM2 4/68-10/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Noel, MO (made chief)
Kenneth Lester Bloch, RD3 4/68-10/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Minneapolis, MN
Thomas Harold Klemash, GMG3 pcf12gmg@yahoo.com 4/68-10/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Benicia, CA
James Walter Steffes, EN2 pcf12crew@yahoo.com 6/68-10/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Sun City, CA
10/27/68 - 1/3/69 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh
James C. Round Jr, RDSN 68-2/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Spokane, WA
Tommy Lloyd Hovland, LTJG, OinC thl.navy06@live.com 6/69-3/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/Sea Float Greenville, SC
Burke Allison Salsi, RD2 bsalsi@triad.rr.com 6/69-3/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/Sea Float Greensboro, NC
Ronald Clyde Chase, GMG3 windrider18@excite.com 6/69-3/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/Sea Float Eagle, ID
Benton, EN3 6/69-7/69 DaNang/Chu Lai
Stephen J. Brown, QM3 6/69-9/69 DaNang/Chu Lai
William Alexander "Skip" Publicover, GMG3 skipper_sro@yahoo.com 6/69-10/69 DaNang Charleston, SC
Thomas Karl Brown, EN2 tkbrown3@gmail.com 7/69-1/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/Sea Float Tacoma, WA
William Douglas Kelley, QM2 wmdkelley@aol.com 9/69-3/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/Sea Float Colbert, WA
21 August 1969 DaNang boat transferred to An Thoi
Dale Leslie Demyan, RD3 daledemyan@hotmail.com 12/69-3/70 An Thoi/Cam Ranh Trenton, SC
Kenneth John "Val" Valentine, GMG2 11/69-3/70 An Thoi/Cam Ranh Kaaawa, HI
Kenneth Louis McCraw Jr, LTJG, OinC kmccraw@tacsnet.org 3/70-3/70 An Thoi/ Cam Ranh Cedar Park, TX
Robert Wesley Anderson, EN3 rwaudit@aol.com 3/70-3/70 An Thoi/Cam Ranh Columbus, MT
William Rick Weeks, RD2 3/70-3/70 An Thoi/Cam Ranh was from Texas
1 April 1970 Cam Ranh transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3864
Nguyen Cong Uong, Trung Uy, OinC 4/70-??


- PCFs 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and their crews, were transported together, in the well deck of the USS Catamount LSD 17, from Subic Bay to Phu Quoc Island (An Thoi) arriving 24 December 1965.

- On 13 April 1968 boat transferred from An Thoi to DaNang.

- On 21 August 1969 boat transferred from DaNang to An Thoi.

PCF 13

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 January 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
James Dewey Stephens, LTJG, OinC jimstephens22@gmail.com 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue Washington, IA (Chief Baker story) (magazine article)
Robert M(artin) Maynard, BM1 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue ??Fort Lauderdale, FL --- Retired BMCS??
??Michael Edward?? Lackey, RM2 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue ??Alabama??
??Marion Bernhard?? Orton, BM3 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue ??Edmonds, WA??
Paul A. Adams, RMSN 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue ??California??
Edward L. Geary, SA 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue
Jay Berkeley Fleming, LTJG, OinC ??-5/68 DaNang/Chu Lai San Diego, CA
(Bill) Stanley, EN1 DaNang/Chu Lai
Jeffery Lynn Hannas Sr, BM2 jeff.hannas@qiagen.com 6/67-6/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Fairfield, PA
Bickman, BM DaNang/Chu Lai
Yarkou, GMG DaNang/Chu Lai
Jesse William Rose, RDSN 7/67-11/67 DaNang/Chu Lai New York state
11/29/67-2/28/68 overhaul in Subic Bay, PI
David L. Freeman, LTJG, OinC 2/68-1/69 Hue/Chu Lai was from Fairfax, VA
Darrell R. "Dino" Moschetti, BM3 2/68-1/69 Hue/Chu Lai Modesto, CA
James P(atrick) "Dizzy Dean" Devine Jr, EN2 2/68-??/68 Hue/Chu Lai was from Philadelphia, PA
Wayne L(axton) Wicker, RD3 2/68-1/69 Hue/Chu Lai ??Marion, NC??
Harold Thomas Carter, RD3 retnavytom@yahoo.com 2/68-1/69 Hue/Chu Lai Dixmont, ME
Lary Foster Wright, GMGSN 2/68-1/69 Hue/Chu Lai Columbia, MO
William Harris "Dave" Davis, EN2 chfngn@aol.com 68-12/68 ??Hue/Chu Lai?? Lyman, WA - Devine's replacement
Morton S(trahan) Hodgson III, ENS, OinC morton@mindspring.com 1/69-8/69 DaNang Marietta, GA
Tommy Lavern Francis, GMG2 swiftboat_13@hotmail.com 1/69-8/69 DaNang Booneville, AR
Charles Kenneth Russell, RD2 charruss@mon-cre.net 1/69-8/69 DaNang Montgomery, AL
Barry Leigh Whitesell, BM3 swiftboat@yahoo.com 1/69-8/69 DaNang Greensboro, NC
Wilson, EN? 1/69-3/69 DaNang WIA - 3/10/69 and medevaced
John Robert Phillips, EN1 spbf@fidnet.com 3/69-8/69 DaNang Sullivan, MO --- replacement for Wilson
Elmo Russell Zumwalt III, LTJG, OinC 8/69-9/69 DaNang deceased 8/13/1988 in Fayetteville, NC
Clarence William Nairmore, EN3 8/69-9/69 DaNang Birmingham, AL
Geoffrey Charles Martin, GMG3 8/69-9/69 DaNang Los Angeles, CA
Archie Whiting Shuford Jr, GMG3 8/69-9/69 DaNang Hickory, NC
Harvey William Miller, RD3 8/69-9/69 DaNang Baltimore, MD
Gregory Dean Rose, GMG3 grose1948@yahoo.com 8/69-9/69 DaNang Salt Lake City, UT
Randall Edward Middleton, LTJG, OinC rand@middletonassociates.net 10/69-2/70 DaNang Normal, IL
Charles Russell "Chuck" Rabel, LTJG, OinC rabelathome@cox.net 10/69-1/70 DaNang Vista, CA
Glenn Michael Dohrmann, EN2 dohrmannfarms@gmail.com 10/69-1/70 DaNang Ensign, KS
John Carl Brewer, BM2 10/69-1/70 DaNang Stanton, KY
David Lynn Stevenson, RD3 dkstevenson@madras.net 10/69-1/70 DaNang Madras, OR
28 February 1970 DaNang transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3876


- PCFs 13 thru 18 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion, LSD 22 on 23 January 1966.

- On 18 February 1966, PCF 13, while patrolling south of DaNang, was the first Swift Boat attached to DaNang to be taken under hostile fire. PCF 13 received five (5) rounds of mortar fire from the beach about two (2) miles north of the Cua Dai river.

- MARKET TIME participation in Operation Beau Charger, which began on 19 May 1967, was terminated on 26 May 1967. During this period one member of the USCGC Point Dume's crew and two members of PCF's 13 crew were wounded slightly by enemy fire. Both craft sustained minor hull damage.

- PCF's 3, 13, 23 and 42 were loaded aboard the USS Belle Grove LSD 2 on 29 November 1967, and then transported to the Naval Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. These were the first four boats, of an eventual 24, scheduled for out-of-country overhaul because of serious hull corrosion in the main cabin bilges. All PCF's scheduled for this program were to exit from and return to country from a centralized point at Cam Ranh Bay. All ordnance equipment was off loaded at Cam Ranh Bay, prior to departure for the yards and would be overhauled by the Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay personnel. PCF's going through the out-of-country overhauls were programmed to receive design improvements, in addition to the refurbishing of the existing equipment. Some of the more significant improvements to be implemented included a more reliable 24 volt electrical system, a higher capacity drainage system and installation of a more powerful AC generator. In the attempt to stop, or at least slow down the rate of hull corrosion in the remaining 62 PCF's not scheduled for these overhauls, a program was initiated involving the application of special anti-corrosive paint and placement of magnesium anodes throughout the bilges.

- During the morning of 3 January 1969, PCF 13 carried out an effective psyops mission off the coast near two enemy controlled villages 25 miles northwest of Chu Lai. After an hour of loudspeaker operations approximately 150 Vietnamese civilians had gathered on the beach for escort to a refugee village. As the escort operation by PCFs 13 and 69 commenced an enemy ambush killed 10 and wounded 5 of the refugees as they moved from their village. The Swift boats called in Americal Division gunships to suppress the enemy fire as the Vietnamese interpreter on PCF 13 told the refugees help was on the way and sang them songs to prevent panic. By the end of the day more than 200 people had relocated, despite Viet Cong threats of death for doing so, in order to escape enemy exploitation of their food and labor.

- On 10 March 1969, PCF 13 and 99 were conducting routine familiarization with the river complex. PCF-99 exited seaward on business while PCF-13 maintained temporary single coverage of the "brown water". At dusk and not more than three kilometers from CG-14, PCF-13 was ambushed by an unknown sized enemy force. The boat received four rounds of B-40, RPG, recoilless rifle and small arms close aboard with shrapnel damage resulting. Several automatic weapons sights were also involved. The peak tank gunner was blown over the side by the impact of a large round nearby, and subsequently was recovered. Total damage to PCF-13 was several shrapnel holes, about 30-35 bullet holes, one disabled engine and one USN WIA. PCF-13 withdrew to Coastal Group FOURTEEN to await reinforcements. The injured engineman was medevaced.

- LTJG Robert Leroy Crosby, CosDiv 12 staff, wounded 24 September 1969, by an accidental discharge of the rear .50 caliber machine gun on PCF 13, while tied up to the YFNB-2 in DaNang. He died 26 September 1969, at the 3rd Army Field Hospital in Saigon. Investigation details

PCF 14

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 January 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
Robert Dulaney Reeves II, LT, OinC 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Gainesville, FL
Spencer Bostel Johnston Jr, BM1 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Scottsdale, PA
Charles Douglas Jennings, EN3 cjenn2610@aol.com 1/66-6/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Scottsdale, AZ --- replaced by Ramos
Charles W. Vaughn, RMSN 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai
Tommie D. Skinner, GMGSN 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai
Edward Stuart Mroczek, SN 1/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Rochester, NY
Tony Ramos, EN1 6/66-11/66 DaNang/Chu Lai
Harlan Kenneth Ullman, LT, OinC 11/66-3/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Washington, DC (left country 4 April 1967)
Andrew Wallace "Tony" Herman, RM1 hermana001@hawaii.rr.com 11/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Waipahu, HI
Herbert Stephen Blume, LTJG, OinC bluhsb@sbcglobal.net 3/67-8/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai Manchester, MO
Curtis Russell, EN1 3/67-8/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai Bend, OR
Martin Burke, BM2 3/67-??/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai
Daniel P. Englert, GMG3 3/67-8/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai deceased 10/21/2008 in Rochester, NY
Robert Donald Pruess, RM3 robertpruess@yahoo.com 3/67-8/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai Oceanpark, WA
Jake Gilmore, SN 3/67-8/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai was from Mississippi
Vernon George Stubbs, BM1 ??/67-8/67 Da Nang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai Plymouth, MN
Walter S. Dobrzelecki (Doblecki), LTJG, OinC wdoblecki@comcast.net 8/67-11/67 DaNang/Cua Viet Gales Ferry, CT
Elvin Hurley, BM2 8/67-11/67 DaNang/Cua Viet
Daniel C. Overcast, RD2 8/67-11/67 DaNang/Cua Viet Bemus Point, NY
Robert Henry "Guppy" Guptill, EN2 robert.h.guptill@hotmail.com 8/67-11/67 DaNang/Cua Viet Lampasas, TX
Dewey Charles Williams, QM2 navhog@yahoo.com 8/67-11/67 DaNang/Cua Viet Fresno, CA
"Original GMG2" 8/67-?? DaNang/Cua Viet
Burke, GMG ??-11/67 Cua Viet
Donald G. Kaiser, LTJG, OinC dgkais@gmail.com 11/67-11/67 Cua Viet Marysville, WA
Emory Harrison Stephens, GMG2 11/67-11/67 Cua Viet Cartersville, GA
Robert "Tiny" Herndon, EN2 11/67-11/67 Cua Viet was from Minnesota
Buzz Oliver Boyd, GMG3 11/67-11/67 Cua Viet was from Redding, CA
Allen Held, BM3 11/67-11/67 Cua Viet
James Stephen Matheny, RMSN jmatheny4914@yahoo.com 11/67-11/67 Cua Viet Granite City, IL


- PCFs 13 thru 18 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 23 January 1966.

- Boat damaged, OinC and BM1 injured in an attack in the Cape Batangan area, 31 August 1966, south of Chu Lai, by shore positions using small arms and small automatic weapons. They were wounded by shrapnel resulting from the enemy fire hitting their boat. These were the first two (2) DaNang based swift personnel to be wounded.

- At 0733 on 21 February 1967, PCF 14 recovered a US Marine aviator who had ejected from his A-4 aircraft 80 miles southeast of DaNang. The PCF sighted the chute while it was still airborne and proceeded to pick up the pilot from the sea. The Marine was unhurt and was later returned to Chu Lai by helicopter.

- At 0130 on 18 June 1967, PCF 14 stopped, searched and detained an unlighted junk 25 miles southeast of DaNang. Among the hidden items found on board by the PCF's crew were 25 vials of glucose serum, 25 vials of streptomycin, 24 vials of vitamins and seven bags of rice marked with the USAID stamp.

- PCF 14 capsized, sank and was lost while transiting heavy surf conditions, in an attempt to rescue local fisherman from several overturned sampans, at the Cua Viet river channel entrance, 30 November 1967. PCF 55 took an 85 degree roll and had all but one man washed overboard during rescue operations. The one remaining man held on and PCF 55, as well as all PCF 14's crew members and the Vietnamese personnel were rescued and returned safely to port.

Because of the continuation of deteriorating sea conditions generated by the Northeast Monsoon, the Cua Viet detachment operations were terminated on 30 November 1967.

PCF 15

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 January 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
Bruce Connor Johnson Jr, LTJG, OinC bcjohnsonjr@gmail.com 1/66-8/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Staten Island, NY
Freddie Lee Edwards Jr, BM2 1/66-8/66 DaNang/Chu Lai KIA - 2/21/70 while serving on PBR 8132 --- was from Prichard, AL
Edwin C. Mantonya, EN2 1/66-8/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Puyallup, WA
James E. Bryson, GMG3 1/66-8/66 DaNang/Chu Lai was from South Carolina --- did a 2nd tour in An Thoi 69-70
Kenneth E. Taylor, RMSN 1/66-8/66 DaNang/Chu Lai was from Colorado
James V. Perry, SN 1/66-8/66 DaNang/Chu Lai was from Rochester, NY
Kenneth Robert McGuire, LT, OinC krmcguire@earthlink.net 11/66-5/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Encino, CA --- medevaced on 6/10/1967
Robert Thomas Meron, BM1 11/66-5/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 9/27/1993 in San Diego, CA
Jimmie Lee Foster, EN2 11/66-5/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Bridgewater, IA
Irvin Dean Turnbull, RM3 icj2fertx@verizon.net 11/66-5/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Georgetown, TX
Allen Clark LoBean, GMGSA sawgrass@windstream.net 11/66-5/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Clayton, GA --- left country on leave 5/21/1967
Curtis Lee Williams, SN 11/66-5/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Hobe Sound, FL
Richard Kenneth Jankowsky, LTJG, OinC 5/67-2/68 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 1/28/1980 in San Diego, CA
Richard Allen Craig, EN1 richardc388@hotmail.com 5/67-2/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Howe, TX
Gary Yoshio Takahashi, GMGSN/3 Gary_Takahashi@maxtor.com 5/67-2/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Santa Clara, CA
Michael Allen Turley, BM2 boatsturley@yahoo.com 5/67-2/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Las Vegas, NV
Terry Lee Vander Molen, SN pcf1515@gmail.com 5/67-2/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Shelbyville, MI
Jerome Aloysius Peschka Jr, LT, OinC japeschkajr@aol.com 2/68-11/68 DaNang El Paso, TX
Thomas Kelly Noble Jr, RD2 shelba@cdbridge.net 2/68-11/68 DaNang Odon, IN
Howard Alva "Hal" McNinch, RD3 mcninch@friend.ly.net 2/68-11/68 DaNang Stevensville, MD
Jack Cole Batcheller, GMG3 2/68-11/68 DaNang Springfield, MO --- ex-mayor of Ada, MO
Stephen Lewis Aasen, GMGSN lercheaasen@hotmail.com 2/68-11/68 DaNang deceased 11/3/1983 in Springfield, OR
Thomas M. Allen, GMGSA 2/68-11/68 DaNang ??South Bend, IN??
Elton Roger Key, BM2 68-69 DaNang deceased 5/18/2000 in Hartford, WI
Larry Lee Wolpert, BM3 8/68-69 DaNang deceased 11/6/1999 in Lincoln, IL
Mark Erwin Bell, RD2 marksputer@earthlink.net 6/69-8/69 DaNang Temple City, CA
Michael Kirk Gann, ENS, OinC gann3850@aol.com 7/69-12/69 DaNang Richmond, TX
Mike Meeske, QM1 7/69-12/69 DaNang
Lawrence Alan Jones, RD2 7/69-12/69 DaNang
Clifford J. Elwart, EN2 7/69-12/69 DaNang
Ray Kope, BM3 7/69-12/69 DaNang
Willard E. Short, GMG3 7/69-12/69 DaNang
James Emery Conant Eaton, LTJG, OinC jeceaton@yahoo.com 12/69-1/70 DaNang Belvedere, CA
28 February 1970 DaNang transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3877


- PCFs 13 thru 18 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 23 January 1966.

- At 1430 on 9 April 1967, PCF 15 was acting as a blocking force, along the Thu Bon River, for the US Marines Operation Canyon, when a group of Viet Cong were observed moving up to attack a Marine platoon about one quarter mile from their position. When PCF 15 closed the shoreline, the enemy opened fire with automatic weapons and small arms. PCF 15 immediately returned fire with devastating accuracy, completely silencing the enemy positions. A Marine reconnaissance patrol, searching the area after the engagement, discovered eight enemy killed, three wounded and an assortment of abandoned weapons.

- On 13 May 1967, PCF 15 took out a crew of ABC newsmen to gather pictures of a swiftboat during high speed runs/manuevers, do you remember seeing these pictures of PCF 18 at speed?

- On 7 August 1967, seven MARKET TIME craft came to the assistance of Coastal Group 16 when its base, 70 miles southeast of DaNang, was assaulted by a battalion-size force of Viet Cong.

The attack on the base began at 0300. PCF 20 reached the area by 0315 and began providing 81mm fire at the request of the base's naval advisor; shortly thereafter PCF 75 and the Vietnamese Navy's PCE 10 arrived to lend additional fire support. By 0345, however, an advancing enemy contingent -- approximately 300 in number -- had overrun the base. At this time USS Gallup PG 85, USS Camp DER 251 and two other Swifts (PCFs 15 and 54) were in the area, furnishing fire support and exfiltration patrols, and helping to evacuate the wounded. Thirty-two miles to the northwest, USS Widgeon MSC 208 had assumed the duty of a relay station for communications between the battle scene and the First Naval Zone's headquarters unit at DaNang. Since there was a possibility that the attack on the base might be combined with an infiltration attempt along the coastline, CTG 115.1, in DaNang, ordered Gallup to return to the southern portion of her patrol sector. Meanwhile, air and artillery strikes countered the enemy's movements within the Coastal Group base and two Vietnamese Army (ARVN) companies and one US Army company were dispatched to the scene. By 0730 the Viet Cong were forced to retreat from the heavily-damaged base. The Coastal Group commander and 13 Vietnamese sailor's had been killed. During the attack the Coastal Group's senior advisor, Lieutenant William C. Fitzgerald, USN and his three assistants joined in the effort to repel the invaders and resisted until the advisors' bunker was virtually surrounded. Lieutenant Fitzgerald then requested an artillery strike on his position and provided covering fire while his men escaped to the river. Before Lieutenant Fitzgerald could make good his own escape he was killed by small-arms fire.

During the enemy attack Swift boats evacuated three Navy advisors and approximately 40 Vietnamese to USS Camp for treatment and shelter; fifteen of the Vietnamese were subsequently transferred to the hospital at Quang Ngai by helicopter. Camp remained on station until the 11th, providing illumination fire and gunfire support as the task of rebuilding the base began. Full Story

- On 30 September 1967, PCF15 rescued a Marine pilot whose aircraft had crashed 48 miles southeast of DaNang.

- In response to a request from the USS Valley Forge LPH 8 on the evening of 1 May 1968, PCF 15 and USCGC Point Lomas were sent to the scene of a helicopter crash at sea about 22 miles northwest of Tan My. The Market Time units arrived in the area by 2130. Four survivors were rescued after having been in the water since 2056. The search for the fifth man in the aircraft continued until 0105 when normal patrol operations were resumed.

- On the morning of 1 May 1969, CTU 115.1.0, consisting of PCFs 15, 58, 70, USN EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Team, Coastal Group 14 units, VNN Engineering Team from Quang Nam Sector and a VNN Security Force Team conducted SEA TIGER operations in the Song Cua Dai and Song Thu Bon Rivers about five miles Southeast of Hoi An. The search and destroy mission involved river penetration into a known Viet Cong concentration. Units of CTU 115.1.0 and Coastal Group 14 acted as a river blocking force while the EOD Team, VNN Engineering Team and VNN Security Force Team were inserted for a bunker destruction sweep. Two PCFs penetrated several miles upriver and fired at targets of opportunity and Viet Cong hamlets on both river banks until shallow water and man-made obstructions halted further penetration. The two PCFs received moderate hostile small arms fire which was quickly suppressed. Several people were taken under fire while running for fortified positions and firing at CTU 115.1.0 units. Heavy enemy small arms was then received from the fortified position and was immediately suppressed by the PCFs. The units ashore destroyed the bunker complexes. The operation resulted in 14 structures, 43 bunkers, nine sampans and 10 fishing weirs destroyed and 15 structures damaged. There were no friendly casualties while two Viet Cong were probably killed.

- On the night of 24 June 1969, PCFs 15 and 61, while conducting a SEA TIGER patrol on the Troung Giang River about 16 mile south-southeast of DaNang, observed a sampan moving from west to est. PCF 15 utilized proper warning procedures but the sampan continued to evade and was taken under fire and destroyed. Three bodies were recovered from the debris. Two survivors tried to evade and were killed. An elderly female, in shock, but otherwise uninjured, was taken from the water. Continuing the patrol, the PCFs received automatic weapons fire and suppressed it. Four sampans were damaged but the occupants successfully evaded. Departing the area PCF 61 struck a submerged object with it's screws and sustained minor damage. There were no friendly casualties while five VC were killed (body count) and one female was captured.

- PCF 15 holds the dubious distinction of accomplishing in a single night's action the following:
1) Breaking up a secret Seal Team landing, near Hue, by shining their spotlight on the seal team's rubber raft.
2) Running into a surfaced US Navy submarine while trying to come alongside, so they could go aboard and explain why they had illuminated the Seal Team and broken up the landing operation.

PCF 16

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 January 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
John David Louk, LTJG, OinC swift24@juno.com 1/66-10/66 DaNang Carmel, IN
Wallace James Hogue Jr, BM2 1/66-10/66 DaNang deceased 1/19/2000 in Simpsonville, SC - retired USN after 22 yrs
Billie D. Stewart, GMG3 1/66-10/66 DaNang was from San Diego, CA
Jerry Lee Larkin, EN3

coladra@toledotel.com

1/66-10/66 DaNang Washougal, WA --- retired ENCS
James R. Schrader, RMSN 1/66-10/66 DaNang was from Cleveland, OH
Terry W. Carter, SN 1/66-10/66 DaNang was from Florence, AL
Anthony Rogers Taylor, LTJG, OinC usna1964@earthlink.net 10/66-7/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Redmond, WA
Robert Earnest Farris, BM1 10/66-7/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 11/25/1982 in San Diego, CA
John Joseph Hawkins, EN3 lynnjohn49@msn.com 10/66-7/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Medford, OR
Douglas Will Jackson, GMG3 10/66-7/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 10/12/2004 in Jenson, UT
Kenneth W. Thorsson, RMSN 10/66-??/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 8/27/2009 in Elgin, IL --- medevaced early '67
John Newton Thompson, SA 10/66-7/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 8/28/1998 in Jasper, AL
Larry Lester Meyer, LTJG, OinC lmeyer16@mac.com 5/67-11/67 DaNang East Lansing, MI
Michael Wayne Roberts, GMG3 gmgcroberts@gmail.com 5/67-11/67 DaNang Port Orchard, WA
Hughes, BM1 5/67-11/67 DaNang
Patrick Richard Lannen, RDSN 6/67-11/67 DaNang deceased 4/19/2005 in St Augustine, FL
Brown, RDSN 5/67-11/67 DaNang
Rich Hassom, EN2 5/67-11/67 DaNang was from New York state
George King Johnson III, LTJG, OinC gjohnson_iii@hotmail.com 11/67-5/68 DaNang Stevensville, MD
David Lee Pendergrass, RD2 swiftydavep@hotmail.com 11/67-5/68 DaNang Sacramento, CA
David Gene McNeeley, EN2 11/67-5/68 DaNang Summerville, SC
Wendell L. Soiseth, GMG2 wsoiseth@harvestmail.net 11/67-5/68 DaNang Williston, ND
Joseph Paul Daniluk, RD3 jpdx1@attbi.com 11/67-5/68 DaNang Aurora, CO
Frederick George Schuler, BM2 11/67-5/68 DaNang
????-10/5/68 overhaul in Subic Bay, PI
Lawrence Edward Mient, LTJG, OinC lemient@comcast.net 10/68-11/68 DaNang Coraopolis, PA
Carlous Wayne Goddard, BM2 10/68-11/68 DaNang ??Casa Grande, AZ??
Gerald Elton Duke Jr, EN2 10/68-11/68 DaNang Cosmopolis, WA
George L. Fuller, BM3 10/68-11/68 DaNang
Brian P. Houillion, GMGSN 10/68-11/68 DaNang Auburn, WA
Mark Erwin Bell, RD3 marksputer@earthlink.net 10/68-11/68 DaNang Temple City, CA
Jack Edwyn McDaniel, EN3 11/68-11/68 DaNang deceased 12/31/1999 in Ozona, TX
6 December 1968 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3826

- PCFs 13 thru 18 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 23 January 1966.

- On 10 August 1966, PCF 16 recovered two wounded Viet Cong suspects from a damaged boat eight miles south of DaNang. The boat had been attacked by an armed helicopter during ground operations in the area.

- On 22 May 1966, PCF 16 found a junk adrift, 16 miles southeast of DaNang. The craft's engine was inoperative and the occupants, two adults and a boy, stated that they had been adrift for two weeks without food. The Swift boat's personnel gave them some food and towed the junk to the Coastal Group 14 base near DaNang for further assistance and disposition.

- On 17 January 1968, PCF 27 was called upon to search for a helicopter which had reportedly crashed approximately 11 miles north-northeast of DaNang. Slightly more than an hour after commencing the search the Swift boat sighted a light on the beach. A nearby Marine unit was directed to the scene and found two survivors out of a crew of four. PCF 27 continued to provide illumination for the search until relieved by PCF 16. PCF 16 was joined by the USS Fortify MSO 446 and the two units continued the search with negative results, although some debris and an oil slick were found.

- PCFs 16 and 78, and other Market Time units, intercepted a North Vietnamese arms trawler and forced it to beach near Cape Batangan, 14 March 1967. The trawler destroyed itself, to prevent capture of its contraband cargo by friendly forces. (Full Story)

PCF 17

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 January 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
Paul Vincent Murphy, LTJG, OinC spinner3166@yahoo.com 1/66-12/66 DaNang Coronado, CA
James D. Prader, BM1 1/66-12/66 DaNang
Wallace Marshall Kelly, GMG2 1/66-12/66 DaNang deceased 5/29/2005 in Chula Vista, CA
Delmar Glenn McEver, EN2 gmcever@comcast.net 1/66-12/66 DaNang Powder Springs, GA
Richard J. Santerre, RM3 napleson@aol.com 1/66-12/66 DaNang Naples, FL --- ??CPA??
Albert Millener, SN 1/66-12/66 DaNang ??deceased??
Harold Cowan Griffin Jr, LTJG, OinC childeharolde@charter.net 12/66-8/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Greenville, SC
B.H. Douglas, BM1 12/66-8/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Fruitvale, TN
Schroeder, EM2 12/66-8/67 DaNang/Chu Lai
Dana Gene Fitzsimons, RMSN 12/66-8/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Clearwater, FL
Hargraves, GM3 12/66-???? DaNang/Chu Lai
Butts, SN 12/66-???? DaNang/Chu Lai
Robert Louis Sigrist Jr, LTJG, OinC 1/67-1/68 DaNang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai Sonoma, CA
??James Robert?? Boxley, GMG3 67 DaNang/Chu Lai
David Edwin Paul, GMGSA dpaul0120@centurytel.net 11/66-6/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Fox Island, WA
John Paul Jones, QMSN jpjones47@gmail.com 1/67-1/68 DaNang/Cua Viet/Chu Lai Albuquerque, NM
??John Martin, OinC?? 8/67-????
George King Johnson III, LTJG, OinC gjohnson_iii@hotmail.com 5/68-10/68 Chu Lai Stevensville, MD
David Lee Pendergrass, RD2 swiftydavep@hotmail.com 5/68-10/68 Chu Lai Sacramento, CA
David Gene McNeely, EN2/1 5/68-10/68 Chu Lai Summerville, SC
Wendell L. Soiseth, GMG2 wsoiseth@harvestmail.net 5/68-10/68 Chu Lai Williston, ND
Charles Gregory Pfeifer, LTJG, OinC pfeifercg@cox.net 10/68-1/69 DaNang WIA 1/16/69 --- Virginia Beach, VA
Robert Alan Gill, SM2 robert.gill.ctr@mda.mil 10/68-6/69 DaNang/Cat Lo Grant, AL
Bobby G. Neal, BM3 10/68-???? DaNang/Cat Lo
Kenneth Nicholas Sinz, RD3 kensinz@sbcglobal.net 10/68-7/69 DaNang/Cat Lo Hartville, OH
Edward C. York Jr, EN3 10/68-7/69 DaNang/Cat Lo
Richard M. Madison, GMGSN 3/68-3/69 DaNang/Cat Lo
Michael Albert Hudson, LTJG, OinC swiftvet17@gmail.com 1or2/69-7/69 Cat Lo Littleton, CO
Frank Albert Mueller Jr, LTJG, OinC mulemax@hotmail.com 7/69-12/69 Cat Lo Charlottesville, VA
Richard C. Hall Sr, GMG3 7/69-2/70 Cat Lo
Roy Lester Plummer, QM2 7/69-2/70 Cat Lo Edinburg, VA
Jesse Warren Rushing, QM2 7/69-11/69 Cat Lo WIA - 11/11/69
Harold Thomas Futrell, RD2 7/69-2/70 Cat Lo Cadiz, KY
Danny Dean Pearcy, EN2 7/69-2/70 Cat Lo Bloomington, IN
11 September 1969 boat transferred from Cat Lo to Sea Float
Franklin Delanno Alligood, QM1 falligood@glenmoor.com 11/69-2/70 Cat Lo St Augustine, FL
Louis Joseph Marucheau, LTJG, OinC ljmaru@worldnet.att.net 12/69-6/70 CatLo/SeaFloat Boulder, CO
Thomas Edwin Terrell, QM2 pcf17@yahoo.com 2/70-6/70 An Thoi Eugene, OR
George Warren Snodgrass, RD3 2/70-6/70 An Thoi Walker, LA
John Frederick Paulson, EN3 2/70-6/70 An Thoi
Alvis Wayman Jacks, RDSA 2/70-6/70 An Thoi ?? Kenmare, ND??
10 June 1970 An Thoi transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3815


- PCFs 13 thru 18 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 23 January 1966.

- On the afternoon of 7 July 1969, PCF 17 observed a junk ablaze near the mouth of the Bassac River, 43 miles southeast of Can Tho. Upon approaching the junk, a woman on the bow was trying to extinguish the flames while three children were on the stern. Due to the intensity of the fire, the "Swift" boat was unable to immediately extinguish the fire and proceeded to rescue the people on board. While taking the children on board, the woman jumped into the water and started swimming toward the PCF, but the strong current dragged her under, and she drowned. PCF 54 was then called to the scene, and after an hour and a half, the fire was finally extinguished. The junk was totally consumed by the fire, except for the hull. The crew stated that the junk apparently contained a large quantity of gasoline or oil. PCF 17 then towed the hull out of the Bassac River, where it and the occupants were taken under tow by an accompanying junk.

- On 7 September 1969, PCFs 17 and 28 inserted PRU, National Police Field Forces, and PF forces about 40 miles southeast of Can Tho, on the Bassac River. The "Swift" boats then withdrew to provide a blocking force and gunfire support. The ground forces, led by Hoi Chanhs, found an abandoned VC prison camp. Sweeping to the west, another POW camp was found and six prisoners were liberated. The troops were then extracted, and on the return trip, PCF 17 conducted a psyops mission. The ground forces killed two VC and captured 15 pounds of documents. As a result of the psyops broadcast, two Hoi Chanhs rallied to the "Swift" boats. There were no friendly casualties.

- On 11 September 1969, PCF 17 transferred from Cat Lo to Sea Float.

- PCFs 17, 37 and 59 entered the Rach Eo Lon about 15 miles east of Tra Vinh taking targets of opportunity under fire on the morning of 11 November 1969. All units beached and destroyed various bunkers and structures near the river bank and fired 81mm fire into the surrounding area. As the units proceeded out of the canal, PCF 17 was hit by a B-40 or B-41 rocket, above the waterline. The rocket penetrated through the port engine and slightly damaged the starboard engine. One VNN crewman was thrown into the water and was picked up by PCF 37. While PCF 17 exited the canal, the other "Swift" boats saturated the ambush site with heavy suppressive fire. There were five structures, six bunkers and two sampans destroyed in the operation. One US sailor was slightly and one VNN crewman suffered a severe back injury, enemy casualties are unknown.

PCF 18

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 January 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
Anthony A. Baker, LTJG, OinC 1/66-?? DaNang was from Easton, MD
William I. Lockhart, BM1 1/66-?? DaNang
Charles Eugene Barham, EN3 No Computer 1/66-3/66 DaNang Belen, NM
Donald Lee "Henry" Ford, GMG1 1/66-3/66 DaNang deceased 4/21/2002 in Crayne, KY
Linden W. Strohl, RMSN 1/66-?? DaNang
Robert Lee McCredie, SN rmacc1@yahoo.com 1/66-?? DaNang Omro, WI
John E. Dorsey, GMG2 3/66-?? DaNang
Ralph Byrd, EN2 3/66-?? DaNang
Gerald Leroy Good, LTJG, OinC gerry.good@gmail.com 10/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Long Beach, CA
James H. Phillips, BM1 10/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai
Sammy Martin "Shorty" Hamilton, EN2 10/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai
George W. Daugherty, GMG2 10/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai
Albert Gene Owens, RMSN sprkplug98@arkwest.com 10/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Danville, AR
John E. Pearson, SN 10/66-4/67 DaNang/Chu Lai
Bruce Melvin Wentworth, LTJG, OinC bwentworth1@austin.rr.com 4/67-10/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Warwick, RI
Wesley James Schneider, EN2 jim@knoledgy.net 4/67-10/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Rapid City, SD
William Thomas "Tommy" Langham, BM3 WTomBoats@aol.com 4/67-10/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 1/12/2007 in Beaumont, TX
Michael McCoy, GMG3 4/67-10/67 DaNang/Chu Lai
Ronald A. Peterson, RD3 4/67-10/67 DaNang/Chu Lai ??navy retiree?? --- Sheboygan Falls, WI
Lloyd "Floyd" Smith, SN 4/67-10/67 DaNang/Chu Lai was from California
James Joseph McConnell, LTJG, OinC 11/67-4/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Kensington, MD --- ??made Captain??
Terry Solen Isenhour, GMG2 terry@tntie.com 1/68-1/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Lincolnton, NC
4/8-5/16/69 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh Bay
Luther Jerome Ellingson, LTJG, OinC lou18@comcast.net 5/69-3/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/An Thoi Eden Prairie, MN
David Brant "Hearts" Boss, RD3 johneavenson@msn.com (friend) 5/69-3/70 DaNang/Chu Lai/An Thoi Salida, CA
21 August 1969 DaNang boat transferred to An Thoi
William Kent Gain, RD2 10/69-4/70 Cat Lo/ Nha Be Sheridan, WY
David A. Turnbull, GMG2 10/69-4/70 Cat Lo/ Nha Be
William Anderson Patin, RD3/2 patins@sbcglobal.net 10/69-4/70 Cat Lo/ Nha Be deceased 2/18/2012 in Reno, NV
Gary Edward Vanzyll, GMG3 garynkim@nueworld.com 10/69-4/70 Cat Lo/ Nha Be Carson City, NV
Charles A. Stratton, BM3 stratton@itol.com 10/69-4/70 Cat Lo/ Nha Be Sturgeon Bay, WI
Glenn E. Merritt Jr, EN3 10/69-4/70 Cat Lo/ Nha Be
David F. MacGrath, LTJG, OinC lmcgrath@yahoo.com 4/70-10/70 An Thoi Fulton, IL
Robert Bruce Colcleasure, QM2 qmcret1982@aol.com 4/70-10/70 An Thoi Sacramento, CA
James C. Reese, EN2 4/70-10/70 An Thoi Mary Esther, FL
Gilbert Stanley Crabtree, EN2 4/70-10/70 An Thoi
Robert A. Janiszewski, EN2 4/70-10/70 An Thoi ??made Chief??
Charles Edward Beaver, GMG3 4/70-10/70 An Thoi
31 October 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3916


- PCFs 13 thru 18 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 23 January 1966.

- PCFs 18 and 20 participated in a running fire fight with an infiltrating North Vietnamese arms trawler, scoring one direct hit with a white phosphorus round, and out gunned the trawler into the beach south of Duc Pho (southern I Corps), resulting in the destruction of the trawler, 1 March 1968.

- On 12 February 1969, PCFs 18, 39 and 99 entered the Cua Dai river and proceeded to Hoi An in company with Three Yabuta junks of Coastal Group 14. At Hoi An a pre-Tet concert was performed by the Third Marine Amphibious Force Drum and Bugle Corps in the market place. Other psyops activities were carried out as tapes were broadcast and numerous materials were passed out. On the transit back to sea targets of opportunity were taken under fire and light hostile fire encountered causing no damage or casualties.

- On 21 August 1969 boat transferred from DaNang to An Thoi.

PCF 19

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
13 February 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
John O. Murphy, OinC 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai was from Highlands, NJ
Eutiquio Garcia, BM2 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai
George Herman Hays, EN2 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai
Douglas Owen Yeaman, GMG3 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 6/21/2008 --- retired GMGC
John Martin, RMSN 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai was from the Seattle, WA area
Richard Dale Bostick, SN bostick_richard@yahoo.com 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai Midway, OH
Walter Carl Wise Jr, LTJG, OinC 2/66-12/66 DaNang Jasper, AL
Gilbert Felix Gallegos, BM1 2/66-1/67 DaNang Ponderosa, NM --- made chief
Max E. White, LTJG, OinC 3/66-3/67 DaNang was from Santa Monica, CA and/or Noblesville, IN
Grady, RM 3/66-3/67 DaNang
Zarrameno, BM 3/66-3/67 DaNang
Ramsey, GM 3/66-3/67 DaNang
Robert Carroll Lehman Jr, EN3 3/66-3/67 DaNang deceased 6/12/2004 in Largo, FL
Gunther 3/66-3/67 DaNang
Richard Lee Nitz, SN rlnitz@aol.com 3/66-3/67 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue Troy, NY
James Douglas Harrison, LTJG, OinC jdharrison@braemarnet.com 4/67-10/67 Chu Lai Bristow, VA (left country 5 November 1967)
Andrew Wallace "Tony" Herman, RM1 hermana001@hawaii.rr.com 4/67-10/67 Chu Lai Waipahu, HI
??-1/68 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh
Paul Douglas Burgess, LTJG, OinC 2/68-6/68 DaNang ??Boca Raton, FL??
Dennis M. O'Donnell, QM1 2/68-6/68 DaNang ??deceased 9/25/1994 in Compton, CA??
George Archer Sayres Jr, BM2 2/68-6/68 DaNang deceased 1/15/1996 in San Bernardino, CA
Larry B. Heavner, EN2 2/68-6/68 DaNang deceased 7/1/2003 in Moorefield, WV
Larry James Schluckbier, BM2 2/68-6/68 DaNang Weeki Wachee, FL
Alexander Radisa, QM2 2/68-5/68 DaNang deceased 12/29/1998 in Akron, OH
John David Davis, LTJG, OinC 6/68 DaNang deceased 1/21/2006 in Niles, OH
John Robert Anderegg, GMGSA 6/68 DaNang deceased 10/8/1983 in Danville, IL (Flyer) (Memorial)
Billy Stanley Armstrong, GMG2 6/68 DaNang KIA - 6/16/1968 --- West Helena, AR
Frank Bowman, QM2 6/68 DaNang KIA - 6/16/1968 (not recovered) --- Walterborough, SC
Anthony Gordon Chandler, BM2 6/68 DaNang KIA - 6/16/1968 --- Warner Robins, GA (Story)
Edward Cruz Cruz, EN2 6/68 DaNang KIA - 6/16/1968 --- Inarajan, Guam
Mui Quang Thi - Interpreter 6/68 DaNang KIA - 6/16/1968 --- DaNang, RVN


- PCFs 19 thru 22 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966.

- On 19 February 1966, became the first DaNang Swift Boat to engage and sink a junk that had been attempting to evade being boarded and searched.

- On the evening of 1 May 1967, a CH-46 helicopter enroute to the USS Sanctuary AH 17 with 13 patients aboard crashed 31 miles south of DaNang. USCGC Point Orient and PCF 19 joined a number of US Seventh Fleet units in an all-night search for survivors. Nine of the helicopter's 17 occupants were rescued.

- On 14 May 1967, PCF 99 received automatic weapons fire from the shore while conducting a "psywar" loudspeaker mission 67 miles south of DaNang PCF 19 joined to assist and provided cover as PCF 99 engaged the enemy positions. During the encounter, PCF 99 sustained eight hits which wounded four of the crew and forced the Swift boat to withdraw. PCF 75 then arrived on the scene and, together with PCF 19, conducted ten firing runs against the ambush area while a fourth Swift boat, PCF 76, provided covering mortar fire. During the action, PCFs 19 and 76 each were struck six times by enemy fire and PCF 75 sustained the loss of an antenna. The extent of Viet Cong casualties was undetermined.. Full Story

- On 11 October 1967, while closing the beach approximately five miles northeast of Cape Batangan to investigate a small junk, PCF 79 received approximately 100 round of automatic-weapons fire from three positions. PCF 79 sustained on hit at the waterline and was subsequently joined by PCFs 19 and 54 and the USS New DD 818. All hostile fire, which came from a total of six different positions, was suppressed as the various craft completely saturated the area with their weapons.

- At approximately 0100, 15 or 16 June 1968, the date is disputed, PCF 19 came under attack by ??enemy?? aircraft ??helicopters and/or fixed wing??, in the vicinity of the Cua Viet river. In the ensuing attack, PCF 19 was sunk, by rocket fire, after taking at least five (5) hits, and with the loss of four (4) crewmen and the VNN rider.
The OinC and gunners mate were rescued, from the water, by the USCG Point Dume. PCF 19 was completely destroyed, 19 June 1968, by personnel from the USS Acme MSO 508. Story

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PCF 20
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
13 February 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
Robert Carroll Lehman Jr, EN3 3/66-???? deceased 6/12/2004 --- Largo, FL
Stephen Howard Fulton, LT, OinC sfultonbah@aol.com 7/66-6/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Baldwinsville, NY
William Curtis Spencer Jr, BM1 7/66-6/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 1/20/2002 --- Everett, WA
James Franklin Penkert, EN1 jpenkert@sbcglobal.net 7/66-6/67 DaNang/Chu Lai Springfield, MO
Burton Frank Dix, GMG3 7/66-6/67 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 11/11/1996 in Middletown, CA
Hubert Lamar Lee Jr, RM3 hleel462@san.rr.com 7/66-6/67 DaNang/Chu Lai San Diego, CA
Wallace David Bettencourt, SN wallacebettencourt@live.com 7/66-6/67 DaNang/Chu Lai North Las Vegas, NV
John Earle English Jr, LTJG, OinC jenglish@sover.net 6/67-4/68 Chu Lai Londonderry, VT
Francis B. Barclay, BM1 francisbarclay@att.net 6/67-4/68 Chu Lai Modesto, CA
Thomas James Holtkamp, EN3 6/67-4/68 Chu Lai ??Hebron, KY??
Harry C. Alexander, RDSN 6/67-4/68 Chu Lai
Gary Elmer Hartman, RDSN/3 garyhartman24@yahoo.com 6/67-4/68 Chu Lai Virginia Beach, VA
Michael E. Basham, SN 6/67-4/68 Chu Lai
James Milton Neveln, LTJG, OinC jimneveln@sbcglobal.net 11/68-4/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Reno, NV
Gregory B. "Greg" Thacker, RD3 fivsec4460@msn.com 11/68-4/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Elkins, AR
Fred Richard Cooper, BM3 FCooper@greenvillecounty.org 11/68-4/69 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 1/28/2007 in Pelzer, SC
Lawrence Charles Kuentzel, QM3 11/68-4/69 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 6/22/2009 in Virginia Beach, VA - made chief (ret)
William Alexander "Skip" Publicover, GMG3 skipper_sro@yahoo.com 11/68-4/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Charleston, SC
Charles Edward Reuter, EN3 ReuterCE@aol.com 11/68-4/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Cedar Rapids, IA
John Philip Lee Jr, LT, OinC leejp@aol.com 4/69-10/69 Chu Lai Westport, MA
Devolvy, LTJG, OinC 69-2/70?? Cat Lo
James W. Madden, RD3 jim_madden@cyborg.com 8/69-8/70 CamRanh/SaDec ??deceased 2007?? --- Chicago, IL
Candelario "Marty" Martinez, QM2 cmar2222@att.net 9/69-11/69 Chu Lai Rio Rancho, NM
Peter Giraud Munk, QM2 peter.munk@oberlin.edu 10/69-70 Columbia Station, OH
Anthony Edmond Eulette, GMG3 4/69-3/70 deceased 12/7/2003 in Santee, CA
Autry Roger Dean, BM3 69-70 Cat Lo Talking Rock, GA
Reynolds 69-70
James Leon McDonald, EN3 Jmcd@mindspring.com 7/69-7/70 Cat Lo Leeds, AL
Wallace Benjamin Foreman, QM3 w.b.foreman@q.com 11/69-3/70 Sea Float Florence, OR
?-8/12/70 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh Bay
1 September 1970 An Thoi transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3907
2 November 1970 XR 645160 lost during tropical storm NORA


- PCFs 19 thru 22 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966.

- On 25 July 1966, PCF 20, operating 110 miles north of Qui Nhon, collided with a 20 foot, sail only junk in choppy seas and heavy rain. The junk was unlighted and not held on radar. The junk sank immediately, but the two occupants and all their gear were saved. There was no damage to the PCF.

- On 7 August 1967, seven MARKET TIME craft came to the assistance of Coastal Group 16 when its base, 70 miles southeast of DaNang, was assaulted by a battalion-size force of Viet Cong.

The attack on the base began at 0300. PCF 20 reached the area by 0315 and began providing 81mm fire at the request of the base's naval advisor; shortly thereafter PCF 75 and the Vietnamese Navy's PCE 10 arrived to lend additional fire support. By 0345, however, an advancing enemy contingent -- approximately 300 in number -- had overrun the base. At this time USS Gallup PG 85, USS Camp DER 251 and two other Swifts (PCFs 15 and 54) were in the area, furnishing fire support and exfiltration patrols, and helping to evacuate the wounded. Thirty-two miles to the northwest, USS Widgeon MSC 208 had assumed the duty of a relay station for communications between the battle scene and the First Naval Zone's headquarters unit at DaNang. Since there was a possibility that the attack on the base might be combined with an infiltration attempt along the coastline, CTG 115.1, in DaNang, ordered Gallup to return to the southern portion of her patrol sector. Meanwhile, air and artillery strikes countered the enemy's movements within the Coastal Group base and two Vietnamese Army (ARVN) companies and one US Army company were dispatched to the scene. By 0730 the Viet Cong were forced to retreat from the heavily-damaged base. The Coastal Group commander and 13 Vietnamese sailor's had been killed. During the attack the Coastal Group's senior advisor, Lieutenant William C. Fitzgerald, USN and his three assistants joined in the effort to repel the invaders and resisted until the advisors' bunker was virtually surrounded. Lieutenant Fitzgerald then requested an artillery strike on his position and provided covering fire while his men escaped to the river. Before Lieutenant Fitzgerald could make good his own escape he was killed by small-arms fire.

During the enemy attack Swift boats evacuated three Navy advisors and approximately 40 Vietnamese to USS Camp for treatment and shelter; fifteen of the Vietnamese were subsequently transferred to the hospital at Quang Ngai by helicopter. Camp remained on station until the 11th, providing illumination fire and gunfire support as the task of rebuilding the base began. Full Story

- On 20 January 1968, PCF 20 received a report of a downed helicopter approximately six miles north of Chu Lai. The Swift boat, aided by helicopters, recovered three of the four crewmembers, and the PCF located the wreckage and provided cover for divers who recovered the ammunition from the downed helicopter.

- PCFs 18 and 20 participated in a running fire fight with an infiltrating North Vietnamese arms trawler, scoring one direct hit with a white phosphorus round, and out gunned the trawler into the beach south of Duc Pho (southern I Corps), resulting in the destruction of the trawler, 1 March 1968.

- PCFs 3904 and 3907 were lost on 2 November 1970, in the vicinity of XR 645160, while transiting the Vietnamese coast, as part of a group of six Vietnamese PCFs en route to Cat Lo for repairs, they were overtaken by tropical storm NORA and sank. Both crews were rescued without loss of life and the remaining swifts arrived at a safe haven off Coastal Group 36 at Long Phu.

PCF 21 - "Blackjack"
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
13 February 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
William C. Patterson, LTJG, OinC 2/66-??/67 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue was from New York, NY
Ervin Eugene McNichols, BM1 2/66-??/67 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue Waianae, HI
Rondell Leon Payne, GMG2 redeagle@lowcountry.com 2/66-3/66 DaNang Yemassee, SC - made senior chief
William Harold Vanderveur, RM3 2/66-??/67 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue Reading, PA
James Calvin Brobjorg, EN3 2/66-??/67 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue Henrico, VA
Daniel Aguilar, RD3 daguilar1@satx.rr.com 2/66-12/66 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue San Antonio, TX
Arnold Thomas Castleman, GMG1 3/66-??/67 DaNang/Chu Lai/Hue deceased 3/21/2002 in Kuna, ID --- replacement for Payne
Douglas Michael Tynan, LT, OinC 9/66-9/67 DaNang/Hue/Cua Viet Annandale, VA
Charles Edwin "Chuck" Green, EN2 chsugrn@gmail.com 10/66-10/67 DaNang/Hue/Cua Viet Moyock, NC
???, FTG2 DaNang/Hue/Cua Viet was from Texas
Jerry McCleary, BM3/2 66-67 DaNang/Hue/Cua Viet
???, RMSN DaNang/Hue/Cua Viet was from Sacramento, CA
Robert A. Boode, SN rboode1552@yahoo.com 9/66-9/67 DaNang/Hue/Cua Viet Sammamish, WA
Frederick Charles Lapcheska, LTJG, OinC fcl@radiks.net 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Hollister, MO
Bill Johnson, BM1 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai was from Nebraska
Richard Egan, EN2 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai was from Findley, OH
Barton Oziva(sp), GM? 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai was from Alaska
James Allen Wilverding, SN 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Westport, WA
radioman 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai got sick early and went back to the states
Nuygen Hoc Xe, BM3 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Vietnamese liaison
Dennis Allen Carter, RM1 67-1/68 DaNang/Chu Lai replacement RM, then retired --- Alameda, CA
Francis Linus "Skip" Gunther, LT, OinC skip@brookwoodsplit.com 1/68-9/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Kennesaw, GA
Donald Alexander Golberg, QM1 abbiet@usa.net 1/68-9/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Stayton, OR
Robert H. Ray, QM2 1/68-3/68 DaNang/Chu Lai
Roger Wayne Buie, GMG3 1/68-7/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Schriever, LA --- 2 July 68 took a MAC to CONUS
Eugene Raymond Popp, GMGSN 1/68-??/68 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 10/11/2005 in Ceres, CA --- transferred for medical attention
Kenneth Roger McDonald, BM2 3/68-9/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Hastings, MN
Donald R. Foreman, EN2 ??-9/68 DaNang/Chu Lai ??deceased in 1980 - was from Stockton, CA??
Marvin Lee McDonald Jr, EN3 swift211@comcast.net 6/68-6/69 DaNang Winchester, VA
John Arthur Erickson, LTJG, OinC No Computer 9/68-10/68 DaNang Brooklyn Park, MN
James Lewis Cosby, QM2 jecosby@bellsouth.net 9/68-10/68 DaNang Morris, AL
James Ramos Pancho, BM3 9/68-10/68 DaNang
Alvin Ingram Jr, EN3 klaw535@aol.com 9/68-10/68 DaNang Philadelphia, PA
John A. Cameron, SN/BM3 9/68-10/68 DaNang was from Los Gatos, NM
Lawrence E. Blalock, GMGSA/SN 9/68-10/68 DaNang Sparks, NV
22 October 1968 Chu Lai

boat sailed to Cat Lo for in country overhaul

11 December 1968 Cat Lo

boat transferred to An Thoi after completing its' in country overhaul

Richard James McCann, LTJG, OinC 12/68-1/69 An Thoi Chagrin Falls, OH
James R. Hayes, BM2 12/68-1/69 An Thoi
Lewie Bradford Asbill, RD2 12/68-1/69 An Thoi Elizabeth, CO
Alfred Leonardo Alvarado, GMG2 No Computer 12/68-1/69 An Thoi Fresno, CA
Marvin Lee McDonald Jr, EN3 swift211@comcast.net 12/68-1/69 An Thoi Winchester, VA
Keith T. Lynch, SN/GMG3 12/68-1/69 An Thoi
David Lee Cummings, LTJG, OinC dl.cummings@comcast.net 1/69-5/69 DaNang Lakewood, CO
William Taber Ferris III, ENS, OinC 6/69-7/69 Cam Ranh Bay Cutchogue, NY
Michael Donald Sprang, EN2 6/69-7/69 Cam Ranh Bay deceased 1988 in Jonesville, MI
Roy Franklin "Mack" McCord, QM2 6/69-7/69 Cam Ranh Bay Carmi, IL
Stephen Earl Brannan, LTJG, OinC sbrannan@bellsouth.net 7/69-8/69 Cat Lo Birmingham, AL
Harry W. Phillips, GMG2 7/69-8/69 Cat Lo
John F. Orejak, EN3 7/69-8/69 Cat Lo
Richard Thomas Martin, RD3 7/69-8/69 Cat Lo Lebanon, PA
David K. Loren, BM3 7/69-8/69 Cat Lo
Terry Lee Mason, RD3 nearlynormal56@yahoo.com 7/69-8/69 Cat Lo Belchertown, MA
Kenneth M. Campia, LTJG, OinC 11/69-4/70 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Lake Forest, IL --- attorney
Robert R. Rodkey, EN2 11/69-4/70 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat
Charles L. Brown, QM2 11/69-4/70 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat
John R. "Woodstock" Totten, RD3 11/69-4/70 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat
Robert Wayne Yount, GMG3 11/69-4/70 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Spokane, WA
1 May 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3830


- PCFs 19 thru 22 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966.

- On 30 March 1968, PCFs 21 and 22 provided blocking patrols for a sweep by units of the US Army 1st Cavalry Division near the mouth of the Cua Viet River. Both Swift boats received intense automatic weapons fire from the beach and one PCF 22 crewmember suffered a minor wound.

- September 1968 --- During one 24-hour period of poor weather when Swift boats were unable to remain on some patrol stations, PCF 21 earned special recognition. While operating in extremely poor weather PCF 21 engaged four evading sampans, sinking one, killing three of the evaders and probably killing two others with her accurate mortar and machine-gun fire.

- On 22 October 1968, sailed to Cat Lo for an in country overhaul.

- On 11 December 1968, PCF 21 transferred to An Thoi after completing its' in country overhaul at Cat Lo.

- On 29 December 1968, PCFs 9, 21, 66 and 72 raided enemy positions in the Bay Hap river-Dong Cung canal destroying numerous sampans and structures, several bunkers and killing 1 Viet Cong. Enemy fire was encountered on 3 occasions, wounding 5 USN crewmembers and 1 USCG man.

- On the morning of 9 April 1969, PCFs 21, 23, 31, 93 and 103 entered the Song Ong Doc with Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops embarked. As they proceeded up river, light small arms fire was received from the river bank. At a point seven miles up river, the force came under small arms, automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. One recoilless rifle round hit PCF 31 but failed to detonate causing only a small hole at the waterline. After suppressing the enemy fire and clearing the area , PCF 31 was escorted back to sea by two additional Swift boats sent up river. Strikes by Army LHFT and naval gunfire from USCGC Mendota WHEC 69 were placed on the enemy position. More small arms was encountered by the PCFs still on the river and the LHFT without friendly casualties. After leaving the river to rearm, the Swift boats proceeded 5 miles up river and put the MSF ashore on the south bank in mid-afternoon. Following the departure of these units from the river at the completion of the ground sweep, PCFs 22, 67 and 94 entered the river to establish night blocking patrols. The purpose of the operation was to intercept Viet Cong which might attempt to head north across the river as they evaded the forces of SILVER MACE II operating to the south. Early on the 10th, PCFs 31, 38, 43 and 71 took over the continuing blocking patrol. At a point 6 miles up river PCF 71 received minor damage from a recoilless rifle hit and one MSF was wounded. Other than light small arms fire the patrols continued without incident until termination that evening. In addition to suppressing hostile fire, the Swift boats, MSF, LHFT and fixed wing aircraft took targets of opportunity under fire in what local authorities had declared a totally restricted zone along the river. Results included 17 structures and nine sampans destroyed, 15 structures and two sampans damaged and one Viet Cong killed in action.

- On the afternoon of 24 June 1969, PCFs 21, 52 and 40 with VNN PSYOPS team embarked, patrolled west on the Cua Lon River. Upon reaching the Rach Ong Trang, two VC flags were sighted and PCF 40 entered the canal while the other units provided cover. Two B-40 rockets passed over PCF 40 and only one detonated. The Swifts suppressed the fire with unknown results. Two VC propaganda signs were later sighted which read "We kill Americans. Vietnamese soldiers stay out."
An incident on 29 June 1969, marred the otherwise uneventful four days of psyops campaigns as Operation SEA FLOAT continued. A command detonated mine exploded in an abandoned sampan which PCF 52 was investigating, about six miles northeast of Nam Can. There were no personnel casualties but the Swift sustained five broken windows and minor damage to it's fathometer.

PCF 22
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
13 February 1966 DaNang first arrived in South Vietnam
Mitchell Chance Gibbons-Neff, LTJG, OinC 2/66-4/66 DaNang deceased 2/4/2007 in Rowayton, CT
Milton Ray "Bull" Angus, BM1 2/66-4/66 DaNang was from Virginia --- made Chief
Henry Baker Akiur, EN2 2/66-4/66 DaNang deceased 8/17/1998 in Kailua, HI
Charles David Brookey, RM3 2/66-4/66 DaNang Tucson, AZ
Gunner 2/66-4/66 DaNang
Richard Wyatt Jones, SN/BM3 2/66-4/66 DaNang Lake Charles, LA
Jerald Har Smith, RM2 jerry.smith@fairchild.af.mil ?11/66? DaNang Spokane, WA
Eldon Lee Thompson, LTJG, OinC sdlaundry@aol.com 1/67-1/68 DaNang San Diego, CA
Benjamin Avery Wagner, LTJG, OinC benwagner@comcast.net 7/67-7/68 Chu Lai Portsmouth, NH
Raymond John Poons, QM3 veronicasdad@juno.com 12/68-1/69 An Thoi Escondido, CA
Michael James Demske, GMG3 mdemske22@yahoo.com 68-69 An Thoi Manitowoc, WI
Jerry Joel Vogel, SN 68-69 An Thoi deceased 5/5/2008 in Denver, CO
Jay Newman, BM3 68-69 An Thoi
Kenneth Edward Ehrhardt Jr, EN2 kee@cox.net 1/69-1/70 An Thoi deceased 4/11/2009 in Peoria, AZ
1/5-2/12/69 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh Bay
James Joseph Galvin Sr, LTJG, OinC jandbgalvin@msn.com 2/69-6/69 An Thoi Leesburg, VA
Randall Edward Middleton, ENS, OinC rand@middletonassociates.net 6/69-9/69 An Thoi Normal, IL
Parker S(helley) Linton III, LT, OinC 6/69-4/70 An Thoi deceased 4/1/2000 in Sound Beach, NY
John Ernest Walsh, GMG2 wjohnswift@comcast.net 6/69-4/70 An Thoi Daly City, CA
Raymond John Poons, QM3 veronicasdad@juno.com 6/69-4/70 An Thoi Escondido, CA
William Rick Weeks, RD2 6/69-4/70 An Thoi was from Texas
Alfonso Cabrera "Chico" Guarnero, EN2 idacg@swbell.net 6/69-4/70 An Thoi San Antonio, TX
Craig Ward Haines, RD3 6/69-2/70 An Thoi KIA - 2/17/70 --- Keyser, WV
Quoi Ngoc Ho - RVN interpreter quoiho88@yahoo.com 6/69-2/70 An Thoi Dallas, TX
Steven August Vogt, RD2 rvnpcf22@msn.com 2/70-9/70 An Thoi/Cat Lo replacement for Haines --- Florissant, MO
1 October 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3908


- PCFs 19 thru 22 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966.

- On 15 November 1966, PCF 77 capsized and broke up at the entrance to Hue Harbor as it moved in to assist PCF 22 in rescuing a man overboard. Three members of the crew of PCF 77 were lost. Five survivors of PCF 77 and the man overboard from PCF 22 were rescued.

- On 30 March 1968, PCFs 21 and 22 provided blocking patrols for a sweep by units of the US Army 1st Cavalry Division near the mouth of the Cua Viet River. Both Swift boats received intense automatic weapons fire from the beach and one PCF 22 crewmember suffered a minor wound.

- On 24 February 1969, PCF 67, while on the Co Chien River, received a request to provide transportation for the Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer, Tra Vinh. After proceeding about 2 miles up the Tra Vinh Canal from the river the "Swift" boat's stern was lifted out of the water and two crewmen thrown overboard by a command detonated mine. After recovering the two men from the canal PCF 67 proceeded back to the Co Chien where PCF 22 arrived to provide assistance. After the flooding could not be controlled PCF 67 was beached at Coastal Group 35. Three of the six men wounded were placed on PCF 22 and the other three went to Coastal Group 35 for medevac. After the flooding was brought under control PCF 71 made temporary repairs and proceeded to Vinh Long escorted by PCF 57. Note: The keel of PCF 67 had been broken by the 300 pound mine. It was amassing that the injured crewmen were able to keep PCF 67 afloat ... a GREAT FEAT of SEAMANSHIP by these "Brown Water Navymen."

- On the morning of 9 April 1969, PCFs 21, 23, 31, 93 and 103 entered the Song Ong Doc with Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops embarked. As they proceeded up river, light small arms fire was received from the river bank. At a point seven miles up river, the force came under small arms, automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. One recoilless rifle round hit PCF 31 but failed to detonate causing only a small hole at the waterline. After suppressing the enemy fire and clearing the area , PCF 31 was escorted back to sea by two additional Swift boats sent up river. Strikes by Army LHFT and naval gunfire from USCGC Mendota WHEC 69 were placed on the enemy position. More small arms was encountered by the PCFs still on the river and the LHFT without friendly casualties. After leaving the river to rearm, the Swift boats proceeded 5 miles up river and put the MSF ashore on the south bank in mid-afternoon. Following the departure of these units from the river at the completion of the ground sweep, PCFs 22, 67 and 94 entered the river to establish night blocking patrols. The purpose of the operation was to intercept Viet Cong which might attempt to head north across the river as they evaded the forces of SILVER MACE II operating to the south. Early on the 10th, PCFs 31, 38, 43 and 71 took over the continuing blocking patrol. At a point 6 miles up river PCF 71 received minor damage from a recoilless rifle hit and one MSF was wounded. Other than light small arms fire the patrols continued without incident until termination that evening. In addition to suppressing hostile fire, the Swift boats, MSF, LHFT and fixed wing aircraft took targets of opportunity under fire in what local authorities had declared a totally restricted zone along the river. Results included 17 structures and nine sampans destroyed, 15 structures and two sampans damaged and one Viet Cong killed in action.

PCF 22 damaged

- On 5 May 1969, seven PCFs encountered heavy enemy fire while operating in the Rach Duong Keo. MSF troops countered with a sweep, killing ten (10) of the enemy attackers. One US Navy KIA and several wounded. PCF 22 suffered heavy damage when it was hit by three (3) rockets and sank up to the gunwales. After approximately 12 hours the boat was temporarily patched with DC plugs, pumped out and then towed from the river ... first to an LST for additional patching and then on to An Thoi for repairs.

- While escorting the USS Brule AKL 28, on 14 July 1970, PCFs 22, 89, 96 and VNN PCF 3816 in company with USS Canon PG 90, came under heavy B-40 rocket and automatic weapons fire. The Canon was hit twice, by rocket fire, in the engine room, causing a loss of maneuverability in the kill zone. PCF 96 and VNN PCF 3816 beached in the ambush area, and began placing heavy suppressive fire to cover the Canon. The VNN PCF 3816 was hit in the pilothouse by B-40 rockets three (3) times, wounding five (5) VNN personnel. Biet Hai troops were inserted by PCF 96, to secure the area.

PCF 23
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 February 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
William D. Howey Jr, LTJG, OinC bhowey@waddell.com 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Naples, FL
Claud Phillip Jernigan, BMC 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Albany, OR
Roy Eugene Stafford, GMG2 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo deceased 5/29/2002 in Dickinson, TX
Napoleon N. Cummings, EN2 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo San Diego, CA
Robert Alfred Betaut, RM3 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Lake in the Hills, IL
Willard Paul Poe, SN papabear@tampabay.rr.com 4/66-12/66 Cat Lo ??Tampa, FL??
George Charles Priebe Jr, ENS, OinC geocpreb@aol.com 3/66-11/66 Cat Lo Woodstock, IL
Karl Ross Symons, SN chapterb@frontiernet.net 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo Two Harbors, MN
John Lowell Kipp, LTJG, OinC JLKipp64@aol.com 2/67-10/67 Cat Lo Nashville, IN
Wirtch, BM1 2/67-10/67 Cat Lo
Carter, EN2 2/67-10/67 Cat Lo
Anderson, GMG 2/67-10/67 Cat Lo
Nickerson, SN 2/67-10/67 Cat Lo
RMSN 2/67-10/67 Cat Lo
James Louis Taylor, LTJG, OinC jimtaylor65@gmail.com 4/68-1/69 Cat Lo/Cam Ranh Bainbridge Island, WA
Richard Leroy McFarland, LT, OinC ltcmcfarland@aol.com 1/68-12/68 Leesburg, FL
11/29/67-2/28/68 overhaul in Subic Bay, PI
James McClelland Barrett, LTJG, OinC jba.irr@comcast.net 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo Essex Fells, NJ
Travis Willard Baham, SM2 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo Terrytown, LA
Michael J. Kelly, RD3 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo
John T. Woodward, RDSN 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo
Charles Joseph Trimble, BM3 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo
Jeffrey J. Zembrycki, GMGSA 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo ??deceased April 1978 in Madison, WI??
Albert Wilcox Hatcher, EN2 2/68-2/69 Cat Lo Sacramento, CA
Kenneth Joseph Andrews, LTJG, OinC kenand65@charter.net 3/68-10/68 Cat Lo Denver, NC
Corrado Rodolfo Lutz, RD3 3/68-10/68 Cat Lo Woodhaven, NY
1 October 1968 Cat Lo boat transferred to DaNang
William Bowen Rood Jr, LTJG, OinC 10/68-3/69 DaNang/An Thoi Saddlebrooke, AZ
Jerry Ray Leeds, QM2 leedsjerry@aol.com 10/68-3/69 DaNang/An Thoi Girand, KS
Larry Clayton Lee, BM3 llee0385@yahoo.com 10/68-3/69 DaNang/An Thoi Frankfort, KY
Richard John Lamberson Jr, GMG3 rjll0716@aol.com 10/68-3/69 DaNang/An Thoi West Keansburg, NJ
Kenneth Eugene Martin, GMG3 sandy.martin7221@att.net 10/68-3/69 DaNang/An Thoi Cleburn, TX
Benjamin M. Cueva, EN3 10/68-3/69 DaNang/An Thoi National City, CA
25 January 1969 DaNang boat transferred to An Thoi
Steven John Carroll, ENS, OinC sjcarrolesq@gmail.com 3/69-4/69 An Thoi San Diego, CA
Charles Christopher White III, QM2 ccwhite3@pacbell.net 3/69-4/69 An Thoi Antioch, CA
Keith Jeffrey DeWachholz, EN3 3/69-4/69 An Thoi deceased 1/18/2012 in Young America, MN
Gary Erwin Erlandson, TM2 3/69-4/69 An Thoi deceased 1/10/2001 in Waterloo, IA
John S. McFarland, BM3 3/69-4/69 An Thoi was from Chico, CA
William Alan Miller, RD3 ohpeggywms@aol.com 3/69-4/69 An Thoi Mineral Ridge, OH
31 October 1969 Saigon transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3858
11/69-?? Qui Nhon South Vietnamese Naval service


- PCFs 23 thru 26 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966 and then further transported to Cat Lo arriving on 23 February 1966.

- PCF's 3, 13, 23 and 42 were loaded aboard the USS Belle Grove (LSD 2) on 29 November 1967, and then transported to the Naval Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. These were the first four boats, of an eventual 24, scheduled for out-of-country overhaul because of serious hull corrosion in the main cabin bilges. All PCF's scheduled for this program were to exit from and return to country from a centralized point at Cam Ranh Bay. All ordnance equipment was off loaded at Cam Ranh Bay, prior to departure for the yards and would be overhauled by the Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay personnel. PCF's going through the out-of-country overhauls were programmed to receive design improvements, in addition to the refurbishing of the existing equipment. Some of the more significant improvements to be implemented included a more reliable 24 volt electrical system, a higher capacity drainage system and installation of a more powerful AC generator. In the attempt to stop, or at least slow down the rate of hull corrosion in the remaining 62 PCF's not scheduled for these overhauls, a program was initiated involving the application of special anti-corrosive paint and placement of magnesium anodes throughout the bilges.

- On 1 October 1968 boat transferred from Cat Lo to DaNang.

- On 25 January 1969 boat transferred from DaNang to An Thoi.

- A three PCF operation encountered intense hostile rocket and automatic weapons fire from positions three miles from the river mouth of the Bay Hap on the evening of 27 February 1969, wounding one crewman on PCF 23.

- On the morning of 28 February 1969, PCFs 23, 43 and 94 entered the Bay Hap and embarked RF/PF's from Cai Nuoc for a probe of the enemy positions. Landing parties from PCFs 23 and 94 discovered fresh spider holes and much brass in the area as PCF 43 provided cover from the river. After EOD personnel destroyed two bunkers the landing parties were re-embarked for another probe three miles further up the river. Heavy small arms fire was met as the planned landing area was neared. With 30 troops on board each craft the three "Swift" boats responded immediately by turning toward and beaching opposite the enemy positions. This surprise maneuver caused the Viet Cong to stand and run, followed closely by the RF/PFs. As the action moved up river PCFs 23 and 43 followed and again came under hostile fire. Again the enemy positions were charged with PCF 93 joining in the action. With the RF/PFs already ashore this time PCF crewmen went ashore in pursuit of the enemy. During this phase of the action one Viet Cong was killed and his still loaded rocket launcher captured. Total results of the day's action included 30 sampans, 15 structures, 7 bunkers, 12 tons of rice, 1 still and 50 gallons of liquor destroyed; 2 sewing machines, 6 individual weapons, one rocket launcher, small arms ammunition, enemy psyops material, a man, a woman and a child captured; and 10 Viet Cong killed (4 by PCFs and 6 by RF/PFs). There were no friendly casualties and the "Swift" boats received only minor damage.

- The Cua Lon River was the scene of a raid that encountered hostile fire on 12 March 1969. PCFs 23 and 94 took MSF troops up river, where they were landed without incident and began moving to the west. At the same time PCFs 43 and 51 stood by to provide cover. As the sweep progressed PCF 51 probed north of the Cai Nhap Canal and PCFs 23 and 94 probed up the Cai Ngai River. Following these probes light small arms fire was received from the beach and was immediately suppressed. The three Swifts then headed up the Cai Nhap Canal where two of three water mines detonated, one throwing up a 50-foot column of mud and water. Heavy enemy fire was taken from both canal banks and could not be suppressed. The PCFs cleared to the south and picked up the MSF unit. The enemy positions were taken under mortar and artillery fire and air support was called in. A group of 20 additional MSF were brought to the mouth of the Cua Lon from the USS Washtenaw County LST 1166 by LCVP. They were taken by PCFs 43 and 94 up river to where a sweep lasting one hour sighted nine Viet Cong and detained one female suspect. Other results included five structures, 14 sampans and a large junk destroyed. Three of the PCFs received minor damage and one crewman was slightly wounded.

- On the morning of 9 April 1969, PCFs 21, 23, 31, 93 and 103 entered the Song Ong Doc with Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops embarked. As they proceeded up river, light small arms fire was received from the river bank. At a point seven miles up river, the force came under small arms, automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. One recoilless rifle round hit PCF 31 but failed to detonate causing only a small hole at the waterline. After suppressing the enemy fire and clearing the area , PCF 31 was escorted back to sea by two additional Swift boats sent up river. Strikes by Army LHFT and naval gunfire from USCGC Mendota WHEC 69 were placed on the enemy position. More small arms was encountered by the PCFs still on the river and the LHFT without friendly casualties. After leaving the river to rearm, the Swift boats proceeded 5 miles up river and put the MSF ashore on the south bank in mid-afternoon. Following the departure of these units from the river at the completion of the ground sweep, PCFs 22, 67 and 94 entered the river to establish night blocking patrols. The purpose of the operation was to intercept Viet Cong which might attempt to head north across the river as they evaded the forces of SILVER MACE II operating to the south. Early on the 10th, PCFs 31, 38, 43 and 71 took over the continuing blocking patrol. At a point 6 miles up river PCF 71 received minor damage from a recoilless rifle hit and one MSF was wounded. Other than light small arms fire the patrols continued without incident until termination that evening. In addition to suppressing hostile fire, the Swift boats, MSF, LHFT and fixed wing aircraft took targets of opportunity under fire in what local authorities had declared a totally restricted zone along the river. Results included 17 structures and nine sampans destroyed, 15 structures and two sampans damaged and one Viet Cong killed in action.

- PCF 23 was the only boat ever designated an "RPCF" (Riverine Patrol Craft Fast), and then only for a two week period, when ComNavForV, not to politely, told them to change the stern numbering back to the authorized designation.

- In ceremonies on 31 October 1969, at the Vietnamese Naval Shipyard in Saigon, 13 PCFs were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy. The PCFs were numbers 11, 23, 42, 44, 47, 57, 58, 66, 67, 68, 91 and 100. They departed that afternoon for Qui Nhon and will commence MARKET TIME patrols in the Second Coastal Zone during November. The Coastal Surveillance Center, Qui Nhon is also scheduled for turnover to the Vietnamese Navy in early November.

PCF 24

Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 February 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
Robert Michael Phillips, LTJG, OinC phillips@fhplaw.com 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Fairview Park, OH --- lawyer
Donald Charles Farnsworth, BM1 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo ?? Cleveland, OH??
Keith Arlan Devault, EN2 keithdevault@bellsouth.net 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Milton, FL
Wilfred Francis Bielitz Sr, GMG2 wbielitz@hotmail.com 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo deceased 12/14/1981 in Belmont, MA
Kenneth Nagy, RMSN/3 kennagy@comcast.net 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
John Robert Benedett, SN 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo ??Bayville, NJ??
Bruce Michael Stapp, SN docharley1@hotmail.com Cat Lo Norman, OK
Karl Ross Symons, SN chapterb@frontiernet.net 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo Two Harbors, MN
James Fulcher Tune, LTJG, OinC jamesftune@aol.com 10/66-12/66 Cat Lo Seattle, WA, left country 13 October 1967 (attorney)
Wadie Marvin Moore, BM1 10/66-12/66 Cat Lo deceased 1/9/2003 in Lillington, NC
Stacy Lewie "Shorty" Parrish, GMG2 10/66-12/66 Cat Lo deceased 7/16/2009 in Mobile, AL
Ronald L. Moore, EN2 10/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Kerry Wallace Thames, QM3 kerrythames@comcast.net 10/66-12/66 Cat Lo Heiskell, TN
Errol L. McKee, RM3 catloswifty@fuse.net 10/66-12/66 Cat Lo Cincinnati, OH
Andrew John Covitz, LTJG, OinC Covitz_andrew@bah.com 12/67-5/68 Cat Lo Colonial Beach, VA
Wray Albert Humbyrd, STG3 12/67-5/68 deceased 7/23/2003 in Westport, WA
William H(enry) Jenkins, EN2 12/67-4/68 ??Park Forest, IL?? - retired ENC
Lonnie Edgar Brinker, RDSN lonnieb@optonline.net 12/67-1/68 Hewitt, NJ
James William Paquette Jr, RDSN petepaqu@surfglobal.net 12/67-4/68 Cat Lo Saint Albans, VT
William J. Mattson, SN 12/67-4/68
Arlyn Tommy Prickett, LTJG, OinC 5/68-5/69 Cat Lo/DaNang Chula Vista, CA
Cordell H. Campbell, BM2 5/68-5/69 Cat Lo/DaNang ??from West Virginia??
James Kent Gillespie, RD2 5/68-5/69 Cat Lo/DaNang ??from Ohio??
Paul Milton Mitchell, EN2 6/68-2/69 Cat Lo/DaNang
Maynard N. Nix, EN2 6/68-6/69 Cat Lo/DaNang
John Grove Cruse, BMSN jgcinaz@yahoo.com 5/68-1/69 & 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo/DaNang Phoenix, AZ
Floyd Raymond Gartner, LTJG, OinC 1/69-1/70 Cat Lo Salem, OR
3 March 1969 Cat Lo boat transferred to DaNang
James E. Maitland, LTJG, OinC 3/69-3/69 DaNang
3/22/69-?? DaNang battle damage repair
Robert Holmes Bradley III, LTJG, OinC rbradley@bfsinvest.com 4/69-7/69 DaNang Wellesley, MA
Dennis Terry Hunsberger, QM2 No Computer 4/69-3/70 DaNang/Cat Lo Telford, PA
Gary Lee Langemeier, EN2 jglang@earthlink.net 4/69-2/70-?? DaNang/Cat Lo Hemet, CA
Edward Patrick McCauliffe Jr, BM3 4/69-2/70-?? DaNang/Cat Lo deceased 10/14/2009 in Wellsboro, PA
Charles "Chuck" Thorndike, RD2 4/69-?? DaNang/Cat Lo Meredith, NH
Patrick Lee Sage, GMG3 Sageasylum2002@aol.com 4/69-10/69 DaNang/Cat Lo Yuma, AZ
Aaron Joe Mitchell, RD3 DaNang replacement for Thorndike --- Jasper, IN
Gail Emory "Ike" Ikerd, ENS, OinC hawg4ike@aol.com 6/69-1/70 DaNang/Cat Lo Santa Paula, CA
21 August 1969 DaNang boat transferred to Cat Lo
Peter B. Middendorf, LTJG, OinC ??-2/70-?? Cat Lo Towson, MD
F.W. Kimz, LTJG, OinC ??-4/70 Cam Ranh Bay
Walter Michael "Mike" Wroblowsky, RD3 mykro@bellsouth.net 9/69-?? Cat Lo Hypoluxo, FL
1 April 1970 Cam Ranh Bay transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3865
Lieu Quyen, Trung Uy, OinC 4/70-??


- PCFs 23 thru 26 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966 and then further transported to Cat Lo arriving on 23 February 1966.

- At 0600 on 11 December 1966, PCF 24 ran aground 55 miles southwest of Vung Tau in the mouth of the Co Chien River. Protection and assistance were requested and received from Coastal Group 35 units, PBRs and a helicopter fire team from Vinh Long. USCGC Point Slocum also arrived to assist. At 1200 PCF 24 was freed and was towed into the channel by Coastal Group 35 junks.

- On 3 March 1968 boat transferred from Cat Lo to DaNang

- On a Cua Dai River patrol, PCF 24 was firing on evading swimmers when it was hit by a 75mm recoilless rifle round at about 1830 on 21 March 1969. A second hit was received 30 seconds later, as the PCF was speeding up to clear the area. The hostile fire was returned by PCF 24 and PCF 99, which had been patrolling with the now damaged boat. PCF 24 ran aground, on a sandbar, where the fires were put out and damage evaluated. PCF 99 immediately ran through the ambush zone to assist the stricken craft, taking several small arms hits. It was soon discovered that the shallow water precluded a hand passed tow line. While under continuing small arms fire, a crewman from PCF 99 then swam a tow line to PCF 24, allowing the "Swift" boat to be pulled free. It was then then lashed the to port side of PCF 99, and together they transited, through the still active enemy firing positions towards CG 14, arriving some one hour later and with no casualties to either crew. Artillery and air strikes were placed on the enemy positions. Of note was the fact that all three evading enemy swimmers were all hit by .50 caliber fire and killed.

- On the afternoon of 19 April 1969, PCFs 24 and 79, on SEA TIGER patrols, were headed east about miles from the river mouth when they came under rocket and automatic weapons fire from the shore about 30 yards away. One 82mm recoilless rifle round penetrated the engine compartment of PCF 79 causing minor damage and both craft were hit by numerous small caliber rounds. Three navy men suffered minor wounds and one Viet Cong was killed by return fire from the patrol craft.

- On 3 July 1969, while on routine Market Time patrol, PCF 55 was directed to investigate a downed aircraft about 45 miles southeast of DaNang. The wreckage was located at the reported position and was identified as a UH-1H helicopter, tail number 17694. Divers on board the PCF were immediately sent over the side in an attempt to recover the bodies trapped in the wreckage. A floating body spotted by an Army Americal Division helo was recovered by the scuba divers along with one M-16 rifle, one M-60 machine gun and one survival kit. PCF 55 returned to Chu Lai with the bodies while PCF 24, which was ordered to the scene, towed the wreckage to a salvable position.

- On 21 August 1969 boat transferred from DaNang to Cat Lo.

- On 21 November 1969, PCFs 24, 25, 53 & 63 and Coastal Group 36 junks, inserted 100 troops from the Long Phu District in four positions on Cu Lao Dung Island, about 10 miles east of Soc Trang. Following the insertion the "Swift" boats acted as a blocking force. Two OV-10s provided overhead cover and took designated targets under fire resulting in five large secondary explosions. The PCF's destroyed five motorized sampans, and then troops destroyed one large weapons cache. There was one US sailor slightly wounded and enemy casualties are unknown.

PCF 25
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 February 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
John Timothy Hood, LTJG, OinC 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Annandale, VA
Hubert Baker, GMG2 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
John Patrick Hayes, EN2 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Robert George Mackay, BM3 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Wesley Maxwell Dubose, RMSN 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo deceased 11/7/2004 in Longview, TX
John Robert Burns, SN 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Michael Anderson Claggett, LTJG, OinC 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo Water Mill, NY
Ricketts, BM1 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo
Ronald James Evans, EN1 kittychicks@adelphia.net 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo deceased 3/24/2003 in Norfolk, VA
Raymond Joseph Braunscheidel, RM3 braunscheidel@att.net 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Jerome Melvin Files Jr, GMGSN jerryx25@yahoo.com 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo Collinsville, IL
Karl Ross Symons, SN chapterb@frontiernet.net 8/66-8/67 Cat Lo Two Harbors, MN
Russell Hunter Shaner, EN1 9/67-8/68 Cat Lo Imperial Beach, CA
1/30-????/66 overhaul in Subic Bay, PI
Douglas Mclean Armstrong, LTJG, OinC 8/68-69 Cat Lo Virginia Beach, VA
Charles F. Evans, RD3 8/68-69 Cat Lo was from Florida
Robert Louis Tinsley, RD3 roberttinsley@nwcable.net 8/68-4/69 Cat Lo Brownsville, TN
Geoffrey Warren Hale, RDSN ghale@aol.com 8/68-4/69 Cat Lo Kingwood, TX
Daniel G. Taylor, GMG3 8/68-69 Cat Lo
Daniel Robert Quinn, EN3 8/68-69 Cat Lo was from Pennslyvania
James Robert Hoffman, RD3 wbcps@juno.com 1968 Cat Lo Oshkosh, WI
James Walter Steffes, EN2 pcf12crew@yahoo.com 4/69-5/69 Cat Lo Sun City, CA
Geoffery George Jones, LTJG, OinC 6/69-???? Cat Lo Newport, RI
Dale Thomas Aleshire, QM2 dabigdogtrucking@aol.com 7/69-3/70 Cat Lo Terra Haute, IN
Thomas Edward Greiner Jr, RD2 6/69-???? Cat Lo Sylvania, OH
Mike Constantino, EN3 6/69-10 or 11/69 Cat Lo hardship discharge after a few months
Curtis Dean Hatler, GMG3 cdhatler@yahoo.com 6/69-???? Cat Lo Coon Rapids, MN
11 September 1969 boat transferred from Cat Lo to Sea Float
John F. Grejtak, EN3 10 or 11/69-2/70 Cat Lo New Ulm, MN
Randy S. Linquist, LTJG, OinC ??2-3/70 An Thoi/Cam Ranh Willows, CA
Woodrow Wilson "Bud" Dalahite Jr, EN1 jonrude3@msn.com 12/69-3/70 An Thoi Colmesneil, TX
1 April 1970 Cam Ranh Bay transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3866
Trung Quang Tich, Trung Uy, OinC 4/70-??


- PCFs 23 thru 26 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966 and then further transported to Cat Lo arriving on 23 February 1966.

- at 0915 on 2 December 1966, PCF 25 rescued ten persons and recovered one body after a junk had sunk 60 miles northeast of Vung Tau. Of the 22 persons who had been on board, 18 were rescued, one body was recovered and three were missing and presumed drowned. The survivors were taken to the Coastal Group 31 base.

- In August 1969, a ceramic gunshield was installed on mount 52 for evaluation. The disadvantages of restricting the movement of the .50 caliber mount, with the after pin removed, the restricted viewing area, due to the height of the shield, and the fact that it was a one shot item, that would have to be replaced after any damage, ruled out any further installations.

- On 11 September 1969, PCF 25 transferred from Cat Lo to Sea Float.

- On 21 November 1969, PCFs 24, 25, 53 & 63 and Coastal Group 36 junks, inserted 100 troops from the Long Phu District in four positions on Cu Lao Dung Island, about 10 miles east of Soc Trang. Following the insertion the "Swift" boats acted as a blocking force. Two OV-10s provided overhead cover and took designated targets under fire resulting in five large secondary explosions. The PCF's destroyed five motorized sampans, and then troops destroyed one large weapons cache. There was one US sailor slightly wounded and enemy casualties are unknown.

- PCF 25, while on normal Market Time patrol, on the night of 25 November 1969, sighted a small unlighted sampan about 10 miles north of Soc Trang. When the sampan was illuminated, three persons jumped over the side and were taken under fire. One US sailor fell overboard while throwing concussion grenades and was recovered after the strong current had carried him approximately 150 yards. The "Swift" boat recovered numerous documents, 100 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and several items of personal clothing before the sampan sank. The documents indicated that one of the VC killed was a doctor.

- In December 1969, the only Market Time craft receiving damages was PCF 28 when it received minor damage due to a B-40 rocket strike..

PCF 26
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
23 February 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
Murice Marlin Simer, LT, OinC 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo deceased 10/19/1993 in Orange, TX
Harold Wayne Fischer, BM1 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Robert Alfred Cofer, GMG2 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
David Lynn Beaty, EN2 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Bellefontaine, OH
Kennith Hoyt Taylor, RM3 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Jack Arthur Wallgren, SN jack_w@embarqmail.com 2/66-12/66 Cat Lo Poulsbo, WA
Alton Raybou Gunter, EN2 ? 3/66 ? Cat Lo deceased 7/28/1999 in Garland, TX
won silver star for ambush action 27 March 1966
John Lewis "Bull" Durham III, LTJG, OinC cubbyd1@bellsouth.net 1/67-1/68 Cat Lo Danville, KY
Michael Perry Timmons, BM1 mptimmons40@gmail.com 1/67-1/68 Cat Lo Bellevue, MI
?Halle or Hailey? (sp), EN2 1/67-1/68 Cat Lo
Floyd ??(Bernard)?? Henderson, RM3 1/67-1/68 Cat Lo Ellis, KS
Larry Thompson, GMGSN 1/67-1/68 Cat Lo Enid, OK
Ronnie Gene Wait, SN kissymoose@hotmail.com 1/67-1/68 Cat Lo Republic, WA
Rexal Rae Perry, TM3 squid937@bellsouth.net 3/67-3/68 Cat Lo Orlando, FL
21 April 1968 Cat Lo boat transferred to DaNang
8/1/68-10/??/68 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh Bay
Richard Jasper "Chip" Gage Jr, GMG3 ??-10/70-?? An Thoi Sahuarita, AZ
6 December 1968 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3827


- PCFs 23 thru 26 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Fort Marion LSD 22 on 13 February 1966 and then further transported to Cat Lo arriving on 23 February 1966.

- On the Dong Tranh River, in the Rung Sat Special Zone, PCF 26 ran into an intense ambush by .50 and .30 caliber machine gun fire on 26 March 1966. PCF 26 suppressed the attack with machine gun and mortar fire, but suffered two personnel wounded and light material damage. Jackstaff Story

- On the morning of 25 June 1967, PCF 97, patrolling 500 yards off the mouth of the Ganh Hao River, 45 miles northeast of Ca Mau Point, came under heavy automatic-weapons fire and recoilless-rifle fire from Viet Cong shore positions. While returning the intense enemy fire, the Swift boat was struck at the waterline by a recoilless-rifle round which tore a three-by-four foot hole in the hull and wounded the Officer in Charge. The PCF flooded rapidly and turned seaward in order to concentrate on the damaged area. However, all attempts to arrest the flooding failed, and the Swift boat eventually sank in 27 feet of water. The entire crew was rescued by PCF 26. Salvage operations to recover PCF 97 began the next day. The boat was subsequently salvaged and sent to Subic Bay, PI, for repair and overhaul.

Later on that same day, in two separate incidents, gunfire from PCFs 26 and 98 coordinated by spotter aircraft struck the Viet Cong shore positions which had attacked PCF 97. The aircraft subsequently reported that the gunfire killed 12 Viet Cong, and destroyed several bunkers and sampans. There were no US casualties.

- On 1 August 1968, PCF 26 commenced an 8 week in-country overhaul at the Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay, RVN. This was the first PCF to participate in this new program.

- On 21 April 1968 boat transferred from Cat Lo to DaNang.

PCF 27
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments

????

????

first arrived in South Vietnam
Harold Webster Gehman Jr, LT, OinC jangehman@aol.com 11/67-6/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Virginia Beach, VA
George Frederick Bullman, RD2 gbullman@yahoo.com 9/67-8/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Costa Mesa, CA
William Harris "Dave" Davis, EN2 chfngn@aol.com 11/67-??/68 DaNang/Chu Lai Lyman, WA
Lewis Leslie Collins, QM2 11/67-11/68 DaNang/Chu Lai
Michael Hans Holleson, GMG3 11/67-11/68 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 8/8/2001 in Shelby, IA
Thomas Michael Belodeau, RDSN 6/68-11/68 DaNang/Chu Lai deceased 11/10/1997 in Dracut, MA
Curtis Allen Rose, GMG3 rosec_46@yahoo.com 9/68-1/69 DaNang/Chu Lai Vivian, LA
William Martin Zondorak, LTJG, OinC wmz80@sbcglobal.net 1/69-4/69 Cat Lo San Diego, CA
James Walter Steffes, EN2 pcf12crew@yahoo.com 1/69-4/69 Cat Lo Sun City, CA
Robert Glen Snyder, RD3 1/69-4/69 Cat Lo Sidney, OH
David A. Riley, GMG2 driley7482@aol.com 1/69-4/69 Cat Lo Los Angeles, CA
Jackie L. Williams, BM2 1/69-4/69 Cat Lo
Ronald Lee Smith, BM3 1/69-4/69 Cat Lo Santa Ana, CA
Clay Walter Stuckey, LTJG, OinC sand@hpcisp.com 2/69-10/69 Cat Lo/An Thoi Bedford, IN
James R. Miller, PO1(rate unknown) 6/69-?? An Thoi
Richard Laverne Wissler Jr, QM2 6/69-10/69 An Thoi KIA - 10/2/69 --- Willow Street, PA
James Robert Beck, EN2 jamesbeck0@hotmail.com 6/69-?? An Thoi Poland, OH
William Edward Williams, BM3 mrwew@ameritech.net 6/69-?? An Thoi Detroit, MI
Kenneth William Smith, GMG3 red46rider@yahoo.com 6/69-2/70 An Thoi Oxford, MI
2/19-3/31/70 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh Bay
1 May 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3831

- On 17 January 1968, PCF 27 was called upon to search for a helicopter which had reportedly crashed approximately 11 miles north-northeast of DaNang. Slightly more than an hour after commencing the search the Swift boat sighted a light on the beach. A nearby Marine unit was directed to the scene and found two survivors out of a crew of four. PCF 27 continued to provide illumination for the search until relieved by PCF 16. PCF 16 was joined by the USS Fortify MSO 446 and the two units continued the search with negative results, although some debris and an oil slick were found.

- On the morning of 31 July 1969, PCFs, with RF troops embarked, conducted a sweep west of the Kinh Ba Kheo, about 18 miles northwest of New Nam Can. When the "Swift" boats neared the insertion point, they were ambushed by an estimated two squads of VC. PCF 27 received two B-40 rocket hits, causing only minor damage and no personnel casualties. The fire was quickly suppressed by the PCF's and Seawolf fire team. In addition, the "Swift" boats and Seawolves placed suppressive fire in the area. After sweeping only 100 meters inland and ,500 meters along the canal's east bank, the remainder of the mission was cancelled; the troops re-embarked, and the "Swifts" exited via the Song Ong Doc without further incident.

PCF 28
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments

????

????

first arrived in South Vietnam
Franklin McClellan Rawlings, RD3 Bouve@aol.com 6/67-6/68 Cat Lo Norco, CA
James McKenney Will, LTJG, OinC jimwill444@yahoo.com 2/68-?? Cat Lo San Clemente, CA
Raul Alberto Najera, QM2 2/68-?? Cat Lo Kingsville, TX
Oran Young, EN2 2/68-?? Cat Lo
Thomas Gordon Forrest, RD2 Tompcf102@aol.com 2/68-?? Cat Lo deceased 1 May 2006 in Harper Woods, MI
Herman Durwood Lavinghouse, GMG2 2/68-?? Cat Lo deceased 15 November 1994 in Picayune, MS
Jack Hess Cook, RDSN jcook98613@aol.com 2/68-?? Cat Lo Middlebury, IN
Lawrence John Rosintoski, LTJG, OinC 68 Cat Lo North Charleston, SC
Bill Neuman, BM3 68 Cat Lo ??Brandon, MS??
William Joseph Runnels Sr, GMG2 runn4375@bellsouth.net 68 Cat Lo Houma, LA
Bob (Robert) O'Hara, QM2 68 Cat Lo
Arnold 68 Cat Lo
Clayton George Zucker, LTJG, OinC 68-69 Cat Lo Cambridge, VT
Charles Alvin Rearick, BM3 68-69 Cat Lo Dorchester, SC
Samuel Irving Abolafia, RD3 68-69 Cat Lo deceased 12 March 2009 in Lake Worth, FL
Drew Emerson Whitlow, BM3 knightdip1@aol.com 6/68-12/68 Cat Lo Huntsville, AR
Thomas A. Kohler Jr, EN3 Sandi61236@aol.com 7/68-8/69 Cat Lo Seminole, FL
Donald Wesley Harvell, EN2 scen40@hotmail.com 3/69-4/69-?? Cat Lo Milton, FL
7/2-7/16/68 Qui Nhon in country overhaul
Donavon Clark Current, LTJG, OinC dc.current2@gmail.com ??-7/68 Cat Lo WIA - 7/23/68 --- Hampton, NH
Billy Ray Niemann, BM3 68-69 Cat Lo
Robert James Campion, GMG2 68-69 Cat Lo San Antonio, TX
Michael Walter Robinson, GMGSN 68-69 Cat Lo was from Saginaw, MI
Charles A. Bridgewater, QM3 7/68-5/69 Cat Lo Holts Summit, MO
William Stillwell Mann Jr, LTJG, OinC wsmann100@earthlink.net 6/68-10/68 Cat Lo Chocowinity, NC
Jacks, BM2 6/68-10/68 Cat Lo
Moore, RM2 6/68-10/68 Cat Lo
Michael Adams, QM3 6/68-10/68 Cat Lo Spokane, WA
Dennis Lavell Green, GMG3 coachgramps1@aol.com 6/68-10/68 Cat Lo Richland, WA
Herman Durwood Lavinghouse, GMG2 ?11-12/69? Cat Lo deceased 11/15/1994 in Picayune, MS
Christopher Mayer, LTJG, OinC chris.mayer@davispolk.com 6/69-1/70 Cat Lo New York, NY
Ralph Thomas Singleton, EN2 6/69-1/70 Cat Lo deceased 8/17/2002 in Dallas, TX
Marvin Eric "Mel" Lander, QM2 swift1042007@yahoo.com 6/69-1/70 Cat Lo Robertsdale, AL
Edgar E. or G. Bass Jr, GMG3 6/69-1/70 Cat Lo Memphis, TN
Alfonso Abrego Garza, RD3 algarza@earthlink.net 6/69-1/70 Cat Lo Richmond, TX
Arthur Thomas Spurr, RD2 6/69-?? Cat Lo Indian Trail, NC
1/7-2/21/70 overhaul at NSF Cat Lo
Dudley Woodward Houghton, LTJG, OinC 2/70-3/70 Cat Lo/CamRanh Austin, TX
1 April 1970 Cam Ranh Bay transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3867
Nguyen Dinh Sai, Trung Uy, OinC sdn23066@comcast.net 4/70-6/70 Cam Ranh/Cambodia Mukilteo, WA


- At 0245 on 23 July 1968, movement along the beach was observed, in an area known for Viet Cong Activity, by PCF 28 at a position approximately one mile up stream from the Bo De river east of Tan My. PCF 28 was soon joined by PCF 95 and the two craft each fired ten 81mm mortar rounds into the area. Both banks were then taken under .50 caliber machine-gun fire as the Swift boats turned and headed for open seas. At this time, approximately 0315, heavy automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire was received from both banks of the river. The officer in charge of PCF 28 was severely wounded in the action. The two patrol craft each received minor damage. PCF 95 resumed normal patrol duties and PCF 28 rendezvoused with the support LST for evacuation of the wounded officer. The OinC of PCF 28 had received shrapnel wounds to the head.

- A large operation on the Cua Lon and Bo De Rivers took place on 29 October 1968. In this operation, three PCFs entered the Bo De River as four others came up the Cua Lon river. Heavy recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire was encountered by PCFs 28, 32 and 103, about 3 miles up the Bo De River. The fire was suppressed and the three craft proceeded to rendezvous with PCFs 3, 36, 50 and 94 at a point 10 miles up the Cua Lon River. Here a wounded crewman from PCF 103 was transferred to PCF 94 for evacuation out the Cua Lon in company with PCF 50. The remaining five "Swifts" returned toward the mouth of the Bo De under cover of Vietnamese Air Force A-1s, methodically destroying craft and structures found along the waterway. The results included 17 structures, 170 sampans and one large junk destroyed plus 85 structures and 74 sampans damaged. Four other "Swift" boat crewman were slightly wounded.

- PCF 28 repelled two enemy attacks on Ham Luong River outposts, 31 January and 1 February 1969. Navy News Release

- On 11 February 1969, 10 PCFs teamed with as LSMR, an LST, an MSO, a WPB, a WHEC, an airborne spotter, Air Force jets and Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops to carry out eight hours of operations on the southern portion of the Ca Mau Peninsula, SEALORDS 308.
After preparatory naval gunfire by USCGC Wachuset WHEC 44, USCGC Point Cypress and USS White River LSMR 536, the river incursions began at 1223. At the mouth of the Rach Duong Keo PCFs 43, 44 and 71 proceeded approximately 2.5 miles up river while 20 MSF troops swept up the east river bank. Also starting from the same point PCFs 3, 10 and 31 proceeded about two miles up the Trum Gong River for a psyops broadcast. At the same time 10 miles to the east-northeast PCFs 28, 53, 60 and 103 entered the Rach Nang and in just four minutes came under heavy hostile fire from the south bank, about one mile up river. With PCF 103 taking two rocket rounds in the port engine and PCF 60 hit in the bow below the waterline, all four craft turned back down river and cleared the mouth about 15 minutes later. Two men were slightly wounded in this engagement, one each from PCF's 60 and 53.
The effort to save PCF 60, which was starting to settle by the bow, continued for over an hour. PCF 60 had to beach on a sandbar outside the canal to avoid sinking. The boat's flooding was brought under control, even though the bow had already gone below the surface, after a P-250 pump, provided by the Point Cypress, and delivered by PCF 44, was received. The boat was then temporarily repaired by its own crew with more permanent repairs being made later by the White River.
The remaining undamaged craft assembled for another venture up the Rach Nang after the enemy positions were hit by air strikes and naval gunfire, in the early afternoon. At 1625 PCFs 3, 10, 31, 43, 44 and 71, with the MSF troops embarked, headed up river. The troops were landed at the river mouth and contact was soon made as PCF 71 took a rocket hit on it's port side. By 1630 the troops had surrounded the enemy firing position. In the ensuing fight two Viet Cong were killed and another probably killed before the enemy retreated up river with the MSF unit in pursuit, until darkness forced breaking contact. Despite vigorous attempts by the OinC and crew to control flooding and to beach PCF 71, it sank in 10 feet of water, only a half mile south of the river mouth. Units stood by PCF 71 and began salvage operations the following morning. Most of the electronic gear and the majority of weapons, including the 81mm mortar, were salvaged by the OinC and crew of PCF 44, despite some very dangerous sea conditions. The next day, 13 February, PCF 71 was successfully refloated by a salvage team.
Other minor casualties were on PCF 10 where three crewmen were wounded by flying, broken glass from a shot out pilothouse window.
Enemy losses to the PCF and MSF forces, that day, came to 27 bunkers, 20 claymore mines, 28 grenades, one structure, and one sampan destroyed; 2 AK-47 rifles captured and numerous bunkers damaged. One MSF soldier was wounded.

- On 7 September 1969, PCFs 17 and 28 inserted PRU, National Police Field Forces, and PF forces about 40 miles southeast of Can Tho, on the Bassac River. The "Swift" boats then withdrew to provide a blocking force and gunfire support. The ground forces, led by Hoi Chanhs, found an abandoned VC prison camp. Sweeping to the west, another POW camp was found and six prisoners were liberated. The troops were then extracted, and on the return trip, PCF 17 conducted a psyops mission. The ground forces killed two VC and captured 15 pounds of documents. As a result of the psyops broadcast, two Hoi Chanhs rallied to the "Swift" boats. There were no friendly casualties.

- While exiting a small canal, 9 December 1969, in company with PCF 64, PCF 28 received a B-40 near miss, that wounded three (3) crewmen.

PCF 29
Dates Crews Bases Call Sign ID Color Code Comments
1965-70 Nearly everyone Coronado and Mare Island, CA Ensign 29 Amber/Blue/Green Training Boat - Mark I


***All swift boat crew training was done in Coronado, CA until July 1969, when it was moved to Mare Island, CA***

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PCF 30
Dates Crews Bases Call Sign ID Color Code Comments
1965-70 Nearly everyone Coronado and Mare Island, CA Ensign 30 Green/Blue/Amber Training Boat - Mark I


***All swift boat crew training was done in Coronado, CA until July 1969, when it was moved to Mare Island, CA***

PCF 31
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
3 April 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
Theodore H. Hageman Jr, LTJG/LT, OinC 4/66- ?? Cat Lo Colchester, CT
Ronald Francis Mick, RM3 ron.mick@centramedia.net 4/66- ?? Cat Lo Perryton, TX
Robert MacDonald, EN? 4/66- ?? Cat Lo was from California
unknown, BM 4/66- ?? Cat Lo
unknown, GM 4/66- ?? Cat Lo
unknown, SN 4/66- ?? Cat Lo
James Carl Thorell, LTJG, OinC

jcthorell@earthlink.net

4/66-2/67 Cat Lo/Qui Nhon deceased 10 December 2010 in Nesbit, MS
James G. Morris, BM1 4/66-?? Cat Lo/Qui Nhon
John Branca, EN1 4/66-5/66 Cat Lo/Qui Nhon deceased 11/29/2003 in Imperial Beach, CA
Alton Raybou Gunter, EN2 5/66-2/67 Cat Lo/Qui Nhon deceased 7/28/1999 in Garland, TX ---- replacement for Branca
Glenn Louis Stone, QM2 4/66-11/66 Cat Lo/Qui Nhon ??League City, TX??
William E(arl) Radford, RM3 4/66-2/67 Cat Lo/Qui Nhon ??Haverhill, MA??
Robert Pet Heinz Jr, BM1 ??-2/67 Cat Lo/Qui Nhon replacement for Morris
Paul Nichols Bontrop Jr, LTJG, OinC nnickbont@aol.com 5/66-3/67 Cat Lo Arlington, WA
Jacks, BM2 5/66-3/67 Cat Lo
Baggette, EN2 5/66-3/67 Cat Lo
Donald Richard Clark, RM3 5/66-3/67 Cat Lo Bremerton, WA
Hartman, GMGSN 5/66-3/67 Cat Lo
George Henry White II, QMSN seawolf238@yahoo.com 5/66-3/67 Cat Lo Huntsville, AL
Michael D. Crawford, GMG2 66-67 Qui Nhon
Thomas Jene Elliott, LTJG, OinC gnatman3@cox.net 10/67-2/68 Cat Lo Santee, CA
Harry Lamoin Claar II, BM2 10/67-2/68 Cat Lo Pahrump, NV
Edward Leroy Smith, RM2 10/67-2/68 Cat Lo
Dale Decker Snell, GMG3 dale.snell@verizon.net 10/67-2/68 Cat Lo Hesperia, CA
Jerry Arnold Rogers, EN3 10/67-2/68 Cat Lo
Henry J. Golemme Jr, SN 10/67-2/68 Cat Lo Rockland, MA --- ??made SK3??
Gerald Leon Mayes, LTJG, OinC eagleteam42@yahoo.com 12/67-7/68 Cat Lo Boise, ID
Harry B."Skip" Brandon III, LTJG, OinC 1968 Cat Lo Falls Church, VA --- former FBI deputy director of counterintelligence
Means, QM1 Cat Lo
Danny Danforth, EN1 Cat Lo
"Shaky" Davis, BM3 Cat Lo
Chris John Vedborg, RD3 5/68 Cat Lo Poway, CA
Arthur Bruce Cannon, LTJG, OinC cannonbl@comcast.net 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo Arlington, VA
Kenneth David Nixon, EN1 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo
E. Sessin, QM2 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo
Arnold Dale Westlake, RD2 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo Gretna, NE
Donald N. Guattari Jr, GMG2 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo ??deceased 10/1/2000 --- retired GMC - Long Beach, CA??
Harold Ray Payton, BM3 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo ??Arlington, TX??
Guy Nelson Dorsey, SN 5/68-8/68 Cat Lo Fort Myers Beach, FL
7/24-8/12/68 Qui Nhon in country overhaul
Ronald Dean Krushe, QM1 golfman1232@yahoo.com 7/68-12/68 Cat Lo Mesa, AZ

Ronald Wayne Saxon, SN/GMG3

Cat Lo

Baton Rouge, LA

Lawrence Charles Stoneberg, LT, OinC No Computer 10/68-7/69 Cat Lo/An Thoi Des Plaines, IL
Gilbert J. Ruttenberg, EN3 rgilval1@aol.com 8/68-10/68 Cat Lo/An Thoi Stevensville, MI
Joseph Larry Ponder, GMG3 josephponder@bellsouth.net 8/68-11/68 Cat Lo/An Thoi WIA 11/24/68 ---- Keystone Heights, FL
Robert Wayne McGowan, QM3 8/68-11/68 Cat Lo/An Thoi WIA 11/24/68 ---- Model, CO
Jack Brent Shamley, SN jshamley01@bresnan.net 8/68-7/69 Cat Lo/An Thoi East Helena, MT
Daniel Voit Armstrong, BM2 darmstng@ix.netcom.com 8/68-12/69 Cat Lo/An Thoi Encinitas, CA
10/18/1968 Cat Lo boat transferred to An Thoi
William Martin Zaladonis, EN3 BigZPlus3@aol.com 10/68-4/69 An Thoi Sanford, FL
Harry Leo Cannon, RD2 10/68-4/69 An Thoi WIA 4/12/69 --- New Orleans, LA
Robert Eugene LaPrad, YN3 laprad1@verizon.net 11/24/68 An Thoi CosDiv 11 Yeoman and a rider that day --- Santa Barbara, CA
13 December 1968 An Thoi

boat transferred to Cat Lo

Edward Elliott "Skip" Barker, OinC ?/68-3/69 Selma, AL
William E. Halpin, LTJG, OinC whalpin@nyc.rr.com 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo Mt. Vernon, NY
Donald Wesley Harvell, EN2 scen40@hotmail.com 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo Milton, FL
James Lowry Kendall, QM2 jkendall24@cinci.rr.com 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo Cincinnati, OH
Vance Maurice Alquist, BM3 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo San Diego, CA
Charles Edward Florence, GMG3 No Computer 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo Robinson, IL
Donald Paul Bilodeau, RDSN 3/69-5/69 Cat Lo Union City, CA
Edward Elliott "Skip" Barker, OinC 3/69-5/69 Selma, AL
??Paul Kenneth?? Knudsen, EN?3? 68 An Thoi/Cat Lo
Viet Hung Truong, BM2 vh_truong@hotmail.com 6/69-8/69 An Thoi Bakersfield, CA
2/1-3/17/70 overhaul at NSF Qui Nhon
1 May 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3832

- On 2 April 1966, PCF 31, 32 and 35 thru 41 arrived in Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Catamount LSD 17 and the following day made the 170 mile transit to Vung Tau to become part of the new Boat Division 103 at Cat Lo.

- On 18 October 1968, PCF 31 transferred from Cat Lo to An Thoi.

- On 24 November 1968, PCF 31, 38, 72, 82, and 93, entered the Bo De river in an attempt to fire on a suspected Viet Cong General's plantation near the adjoining Dam Doi river. Shortly after entering, the PCFs encountered extreme enemy fire from both banks of the river, and were forced to abort the mission. Four of the PCFs received heavy damage and several crewmen were seriously wounded during the ensuing battle. Three Viet Cong were killed during the exchange of fire. Stars and Stripes story

- On 13 December 1968, PCF 31 transferred from An Thoi to Cat Lo.

- On 11 February 1969, 10 PCFs teamed with as LSMR, an LST, an MSO, a WPB, a WHEC, an airborne spotter, Air Force jets and Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops to carry out eight hours of operations on the southern portion of the Ca Mau Peninsula, SEALORDS 308.
After preparatory naval gunfire by USCGC Wachuset WHEC 44, USCGC Point Cypress and USS White River LSMR 536, the river incursions began at 1223. At the mouth of the Rach Duong Keo PCFs 43, 44 and 71 proceeded approximately 2.5 miles up river while 20 MSF troops swept up the east river bank. Also starting from the same point PCFs 3, 10 and 31 proceeded about two miles up the Trum Gong River for a psyops broadcast. At the same time 10 miles to the east-northeast PCFs 28, 53, 60 and 103 entered the Rach Nang and in just four minutes came under heavy hostile fire from the south bank, about one mile up river. With PCF 103 taking two rocket rounds in the port engine and PCF 60 hit in the bow below the waterline, all four craft turned back down river and cleared the mouth about 15 minutes later. Two men were slightly wounded in this engagement, one each from PCF's 60 and 53.
The effort to save PCF 60, which was starting to settle by the bow, continued for over an hour. PCF 60 had to beach on a sandbar outside the canal to avoid sinking. The boat's flooding was brought under control, even though the bow had already gone below the surface, after a P-250 pump, provided by the Point Cypress, and delivered by PCF 44, was received. The boat was then temporarily repaired by its own crew with more permanent repairs being made later by the White River.
The remaining undamaged craft assembled for another venture up the Rach Nang after the enemy positions were hit by air strikes and naval gunfire, in the early afternoon. At 1625 PCFs 3, 10, 31, 43, 44 and 71, with the MSF troops embarked, headed up river. The troops were landed at the river mouth and contact was soon made as PCF 71 took a rocket hit on it's port side. By 1630 the troops had surrounded the enemy firing position. In the ensuing fight two Viet Cong were killed and another probably killed before the enemy retreated up river with the MSF unit in pursuit, until darkness forced breaking contact. Despite vigorous attempts by the OinC and crew to control flooding and to beach PCF 71, it sank in 10 feet of water, only a half mile south of the river mouth. Units stood by PCF 71 and began salvage operations the following morning. Most of the electronic gear and the majority of weapons, including the 81mm mortar, were salvaged by the OinC and crew of PCF 44, despite some very dangerous sea conditions. The next day, 13 February, PCF 71 was successfully refloated by a salvage team.
Other minor casualties were on PCF 10 where three crewmen were wounded by flying, broken glass from a shot out pilothouse window.
Enemy losses to the PCF and MSF forces, that day, came to 27 bunkers, 20 claymore mines, 28 grenades, one structure, and one sampan destroyed; 2 AK-47 rifles captured and numerous bunkers damaged. One MSF soldier was wounded.

- On the morning of 9 April 1969, PCFs 21, 23, 31, 93 and 103 entered the Song Ong Doc with Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops embarked. As they proceeded up river, light small arms fire was received from the river bank. At a point seven miles up river, the force came under small arms, automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. One recoilless rifle round hit PCF 31 but failed to detonate causing only a small hole at the waterline. After suppressing the enemy fire and clearing the area , PCF 31 was escorted back to sea by two additional Swift boats sent up river. Strikes by Army LHFT and naval gunfire from USCGC Mendota WHEC 69 were placed on the enemy position. More small arms was encountered by the PCFs still on the river and the LHFT without friendly casualties. After leaving the river to rearm, the Swift boats proceeded 5 miles up river and put the MSF ashore on the south bank in mid-afternoon. Following the departure of these units from the river at the completion of the ground sweep, PCFs 22, 67 and 94 entered the river to establish night blocking patrols. The purpose of the operation was to intercept Viet Cong which might attempt to head north across the river as they evaded the forces of SILVER MACE II operating to the south. Early on the 10th, PCFs 31, 38, 43 and 71 took over the continuing blocking patrol. At a point 6 miles up river PCF 71 received minor damage from a recoilless rifle hit and one MSF was wounded. Other than light small arms fire the patrols continued without incident until termination that evening. In addition to suppressing hostile fire, the Swift boats, MSF, LHFT and fixed wing aircraft took targets of opportunity under fire in what local authorities had declared a totally restricted zone along the river. Results included 17 structures and nine sampans destroyed, 15 structures and two sampans damaged and one Viet Cong killed in action.

- Eight PCFs, with 6th Battalion VNMC troops embarked, sailed the Duong Keo River during the late afternoon of 12 April 1969, for a sweep operations in the day's objective area. At 1734, a large scale enemy initiated firefight, by an estimated two Viet Cong companies, was unleashed as the PCFs, in column formation, reached a position four miles upstream from the river's mouth. Detonation of two claymore mines, from the northeast bank, was immediately followed by intensive B-40 rocket, recoilless rifle (R/R), .30 and .50 caliber machine gun, rifle-grenade and small arms fire. PCF 43 was hit by R/R and B-40 rounds which disabled her steering gear and fatally wounded the boat skipper, LTJG D. G. Droz. The boat beached at high speed into the center of the ambush site, as B-40 rockets continued to smash into her. Uninjured crewmen and UDT personnel aboard set up a hasty perimeter around the boat as PCFs 5 and 31 returned alongside to assist the stricken PCF 43, at the same time maintaining a heavy volume of fire. Seawolves reacted in five minutes and placed heavy machine gun fire into the area. Enemy fire was suppressed. All personnel were removed from PCF 43 and PCFs 5 and 31 cleared the area. Later, a fire in PCF 43 reached UDT ammunition stores on board and created an explosion which destroyed the craft. Final results of the disaster were three US Navy personnel killed with 33 others wounded and two Vietnamese Marines killed with another 13 wounded. One PCF (43) destroyed, two others badly damaged, and two others received moderate damage. Enemy losses were 18 Viet Cong killed (2 body count and 16 estimated). UPI story After Action Reports (3)

- On 9 August 1969, a SEA FLOAT mission was conducted with seven PCFs, USS Gallup PG 85, USS Asheville PG 84, EOD and UDT Detachment G, MSF troops and Seawolves participating. The operation commenced with the Swift boats inserting the troops on Rach Ba Than and Rach Buong, about five miles east of Seafloat for sweeps south. During a day of frequent contact PCF elements were ambushed on five separate occasions with rockets, small arms fire and a mine, resulting in PCFs 5, 40 and 31 receiving minor damage. One US sailor and three MSF troops were wounded. The ground troops later swept the ambush areas and captured 58 booby traps, two large charges, 60 Japanese knee mortar grenades and three hundred rounds of ammunition. Ten bunkers, three structures and one barricade were destroyed and two VC were killed.

PCF 32
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
3 April 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
John Richard Kallestad, LT, OinC 4/66-12/66 Cat Lo left country 9 February 1967 --- Minneapolis, MN
Gene Whitley, BM1 4/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Ron Merritt, GMG3 4/66-12/66 Cat Lo
Gary Keith Liedorff, GMGSN/ GMG3 garianne1@wildblue.net 4/66-12/66 Cat Lo Fiddletown, CA
John Stephen Howell, LTJG, OinC gremmy32@cox.net 12/66-12/67 Cat Lo Spring Valley, CA
Billy Wayne Ellis, BM2 billy.ellis@worldnet.att.net 12/66-12/67 Cat Lo San Diego, CA
Larry Young, EN2 12/66-12/67 Cat Lo was from Ohio
Benjamin Adolfo Montoya, QM3 montoyab32@aol.com 12/66-12/67 Cat Lo Albuquerque, NM
Delany, GMG3 12/66-12/67 Cat Lo
Moody, GMM3 12/66-12/67 Cat Lo was from Texas
Paul A(nthony) Metz, LTJG, OinC 3/68-5/68 Cat Lo ??Southport, NC?? --- was from Warrensville, OH
Richard Keith Shockley, QM2 stroken52@msn.com 3/68-5/68 Cat Lo Cos Cob, CT
Fred Palace, EN2 3/68-5/68 Cat Lo
Thomas J. Houston Jr, BM3 10/7-11/68 Cat Lo Chesapeake, VA
Barnes or Bond, RD3 3/68-5/68 Cat Lo
??Brown, GMG2?? 3/68-5/68 Cat Lo
Forrest W. Dahlstet, LTJG, OinC xfeddonk@earthlink.net 5/68-12/68 Cat Lo Blair, NE
William Green Riddle, QM1 5/68-12/68 Cat Lo ??Harrah, OK?? --- made chief
Rolley, RM2 5/68-12/68 Cat Lo
Frederick Samuel "Duke" Pethes, EN2 duke60@cox.net 5/68-12/68 Cat Lo San Diego, CA
David Justice, GMG3 5/68-12/68 Cat Lo
Stewart, BMSN 5/68-12/68 Cat Lo
6/5-6/15/68 Qui Nhon in country overhaul
William Charles Martin, ENS, OinC wvfp43@frontiernet.net 1/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi Dryfork, WV
Larry Dean Jorgensen, EN2 ljorg46@yahoo.com 1/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi Ewing, NE
James Ray Hodges, QM2 HodgesJrhodges@aol.com 1/69-2/69 Cat Lo medevaced - mine explosion - Virgina Beach, VA
William Patrick "Pat" Walters, GMG3 cycledirect@yahoo.com 1/69-2/69 Cat Lo medevaced - mine explosion - Durham, CA
Paul Robert Shepherd, QM2 shep@cyberport.net 2/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi replacement for Hodges --- Kalispell, MT
Daniel M. Hudson, GMG3 2/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi replacement for Walters
Dale Paul Osborne, RD3 do2to@comcast.net early/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi Plymouth, MA
Allen Edward Cott Jr, RDSN allencott@yahoo.com 6/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi Fountain Valley, CA
David Bruce Wallace, LTJG, OinC elbowgolf65@comcast.net 9/69-2/70 Cat Lo Atlanta, GA
Edwin Bernard West Sr, QM1 ??10/69-2/70?? Cat Lo deceased 12/3/2009 in Virginia Beach, VA
John Robert Garca, RD3 jgarca@sbcglobal.net 1/69-2/70 Cat Lo Grand Prairie, TX
Joseph I. "Sandy" Sandoval II, GMG3 jocon2000@aol.com 10/69-2/70 Cat Lo Las Vegas, NV
James R. "Pappy" Lambert, EN2 10/69-2/70 Cat Lo
Charles Roland Richardson, BM3 charles@bigriver.net 1/70-2/70 Cat Lo Millington, TN
1/16-3/2/70 overhaul at NSF Cam Ranh Bay
1 May 1970 Cat Lo transferred to South Vietnamese Navy
PCF 3833

- On 2 April 1966, PCF 31, 32 and 35 thru 41 arrived in Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Catamount LSD 17 and the following day made the 170 mile transit to Vung Tau to become part of the new Boat Division 103 at Cat Lo.

- During most of May 1966, three PCFs remained under operational control of CTF 116 for patrol in the Rung Sat Special Zone. On the morning of 22 May, PCF 32 detected a sampan crossing the Dong Tranh river from east to west. An occupant opened fire with a .30 caliber weapon. PCF 32 returned fire with 400 rounds of .50 caliber fire, damaging the sampan. However, the sampan managed to beach and the occupants fled. There was no assessment of casualties.
The morning of 27 May PCF 37 sighted a sampan with two persons embarked closing the beach near the location where an attack on PCF 41 had occurred on 22 May 1966. As PCF 37 closed, the sampan was beached and abandoned after being partially camouflaged. PCF 36, on patrol in the same area, was called to assist, and both units closed the beach to investigate. In the process an explosion, possibly a small mine, occurred thirty yards astern of PCF 36. At the same time the Viet Cong took the PCFs under small arms fire. It was evident that the Viet Cong had used the sampan as a decoy to lure the PCFs into the vicinity. The PCFs returned the fire and cleared the area. There were no casualties.

- A large operation on the Cua Lon and Bo De Rivers took place on 29 October 1968. In this operation, three PCFs entered the Bo De River as four others came up the Cua Lon river. Heavy recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire was encountered by PCFs 28, 32 and 103, about 3 miles up the Bo De River. The fire was suppressed and the three craft proceeded to rendezvous with PCFs 3, 36, 50 and 94 at a point 10 miles up the Cua Lon River. Here a wounded crewman from PCF 103 was transferred to PCF 94 for evacuation out the Cua Lon in company with PCF 50. The remaining five "Swifts" returned toward the mouth of the Bo De under cover of Vietnamese Air Force A-1s, methodically destroying craft and structures found along the waterway. The results included 17 structures, 170 sampans and one large junk destroyed plus 85 structures and 74 sampans damaged. Four other "Swift" boat crewman were slightly wounded.

- On 11 February 1969, 10 PCFs teamed with as LSMR, an LST, an MSO, a WPB, a WHEC, an airborne spotter, Air Force jets and Mobile Strike Force (MSF) troops to carry out eight hours of operations on the southern portion of the Ca Mau Peninsula, SEALORDS 308.
After preparatory naval gunfire by USCGC Wachuset WHEC 44, USCGC Point Cypress and USS White River LSMR 536, the river incursions began at 1223. At the mouth of the Rach Duong Keo PCFs 43, 44 and 71 proceeded approximately 2.5 miles up river while 20 MSF troops swept up the east river bank. Also starting from the same point PCFs 3, 10 and 31 proceeded about two miles up the Trum Gong River for a psyops broadcast. At the same time 10 miles to the east-northeast PCFs 28, 53, 60 and 103 entered the Rach Nang and in just four minutes came under heavy hostile fire from the south bank, about one mile up river. With PCF 103 taking two rocket rounds in the port engine and PCF 60 hit in the bow below the waterline, all four craft turned back down river and cleared the mouth about 15 minutes later. Two men were slightly wounded in this engagement, one each from PCF's 60 and 53.
The effort to save PCF 60, which was starting to settle by the bow, continued for over an hour. PCF 60 had to beach on a sandbar outside the canal to avoid sinking. The boat's flooding was brought under control, even though the bow had already gone below the surface, after a P-250 pump, provided by the Point Cypress, and delivered by PCF 44, was received. The boat was then temporarily repaired by its own crew with more permanent repairs being made later by the White River.
The remaining undamaged craft assembled for another venture up the Rach Nang after the enemy positions were hit by air strikes and naval gunfire, in the early afternoon. At 1625 PCFs 3, 10, 31, 43, 44 and 71, with the MSF troops embarked, headed up river. The troops were landed at the river mouth and contact was soon made as PCF 71 took a rocket hit on it's port side. By 1630 the troops had surrounded the enemy firing position. In the ensuing fight two Viet Cong were killed and another probably killed before the enemy retreated up river with the MSF unit in pursuit, until darkness forced breaking contact. Despite vigorous attempts by the OinC and crew to control flooding and to beach PCF 71, it sank in 10 feet of water, only a half mile south of the river mouth. Units stood by PCF 71 and began salvage operations the following morning. Most of the electronic gear and the majority of weapons, including the 81mm mortar, were salvaged by the OinC and crew of PCF 44, despite some very dangerous sea conditions. The next day, 13 February, PCF 71 was successfully refloated by a salvage team.
Other minor casualties were on PCF 10 where three crewmen were wounded by flying, broken glass from a shot out pilothouse window.
Enemy losses to the PCF and MSF forces, that day, came to 27 bunkers, 20 claymore mines, 28 grenades, one structure, and one sampan destroyed; 2 AK-47 rifles captured and numerous bunkers damaged. One MSF soldier was wounded.

PCF 33
Comments: After its arrival in the Philippines and outfitting at the Subic Bay naval facilities, the boat was transferred to the Philippine Navy on 15 December 1967 and re-designated PCF 306.

- PCF 33 never saw service with the US Navy in Vietnam.

PCF 34
Comments: After its arrival in the Philippines and outfitting at the Subic Bay naval facilities, the boat was transferred to the Philippine Navy on 15 December 1967 and re-designated PCF 307.

- PCF 34 never saw service with the US Navy in Vietnam.

PCF 35
Crew e-mail Address Dates Base Comments
3 April 1966 Cat Lo first arrived in South Vietnam
Newell Chase Bossart, LTJG, OinC seattle@bossart.com Cat Lo Medina, WA
William George Thomasson, GMG2 ariztata1@gmail.com 7/66-3/67 Cat Lo Memphis, TN
Dallas Wayne Pruitt, RM3 dallaspruitt@aol.com 6/66-3/67 Cat Lo Paso Robles, CA
William Avila, GMGSA/SN Cat Lo
Contraras Cat Lo
Paul Nichols Bontrop Jr, LTJG, OinC nnickbont@aol.com 3/67-5/67 Cat Lo Arlington, WA
Jacks, BM2 3/67-5/67 Cat Lo
Baggette, EN2 3/67-5/67 Cat Lo
Donald Richard Clark, RM3 3/67-5/67 Cat Lo Bremerton, WA
Hartman, GMGSN 3/67-5/67 Cat Lo
George Henry White II, QMSN seawolf238@yahoo.com 3/67-5/67 Cat Lo Huntsville, AL
Frederick R. Green, LTJG, OinC 5/67-1/68 Cat Lo was from Detroit, MI
John Franklin Moore, BM1 bettyeanjohn1@hotmail.com 5/67-1/68 Cat Lo Grove, OK --- made chief
Gabriel Merced Vigil, GMG3/2 gabev58@aol.com 5/67-1/68 Cat Lo Aguilar, CO
Kelly, EN2 5/67-1/68 Cat Lo
Lucien Buffington "Lucie" Clark Jr, RM3 buffyaboy@aol.com 5/67-1/68 Cat Lo Oklahoma City, OK
Billy Gene Clark, SN 5/67-1/68 Cat Lo West Memphis, AR
4/6-4/20/68 Qui Nhon in country overhaul
John Rogers Roland Jr, LTJG, OinC 9/68-3/69 Cat Lo Cochran, GA
Carl R. Russell, QM2 9/68-3/69 Cat Lo
John Patrick Pank, BM3 jp2old@yahoo.com 9/68-3/69 Cat Lo Portland, OR
William Loyed Clark, EN3 jclark@snowcrest.net (wife) 9/68-3/69 Cat Lo deceased 9/28/2009 in McCloud, CA
Richard A. Gorman, GMG3 namrog46@yahoo.com 9/68-3/69 Cat Lo Clearwater, FL
William Henry Inabnett, RD3 henryinabnett@yahoo.com 8/68-3/69 Cat Lo Houston, TX
Charles Russell "Chuck" Rabel, LTJG, OinC rabelathome@cox.net 3/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Vista, CA
Glenn Michael Dohrmann, EN2 dohrmannfarms@gmail.com 3/69-8/69 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Ensign, KS
John Carl Brewer, BM3/2 3/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Stanton, KY
David Lynn Stevenson, RDSN dkstevenson@madras.net 3/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Madras, OR
Gary Lee "Carpie" Carpenter, GMG3

swiftboatbugler@hughes.net

3/69-9/69 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat 29 Palms, CA
George Martin Lambeth, QM2 lambeth@attglobal.net 3/69-7/69 CatLo/AnThoi/SeaFloat Sarasota, FL
May 1969 Cat Lo boat transferred to An Thoi
Elmo Russell Zumwalt III, LTJG, OinC 9/69-12/69 An Thoi deceased 8/13/1988 in Fayetteville, NC
Clarence William Nairmore, EN3 9/69-12/69 An Thoi Birmingham, AL
Geoffrey Charles Martin, GMG3 9/69-12/69 An Thoi Los Angeles, CA
Archie Whiting Shuford Jr, GMG3 9/69-12/69 An Thoi Hickory, NC
Harvey William Miller, RD3 9/69-12/69 An Thoi Baltimore, MD
Michael Kirk Gann, ENS/LTJG, OinC gann3850@aol.com 12/69-4/70 An Thoi/Sea Float Richmond, TX
Michael John Meeske, QM1 12/69-4/70 An Thoi/Sea Float Nevada City, CA
Lawrence Alan Jones, RD2 12/69-4/70 An Thoi/Sea Float
Clifford J. Elwart, EN2 12/69-4/70 An Thoi/Sea Float ??San Diego, CA??
Ray Kope, BM3 12/69-4/70 An Thoi/Sea Float
Willard E. Short, GMG3 12/69-4/70 An Thoi/Sea Float
Donald Paul Bilodeau, RDSA 69-70