Crew Listings for PCF 1 thru 9

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

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

- 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 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

- 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)

- 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.

- 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.

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

***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

- 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.

- 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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PCFs 1-9    PCFs 10-19     PCFs 20-29     PCFs 30-39      PCFs 40-49     PCFs 50-59     PCFs 60-69      PCFs 70-79     PCFs 80-89     PCFs 90-99      PCFs 100+

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