Crew Listings for PCF 50 thru 59

- PCFs 49 thru 54 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Colonial LSD 18, on 27 April 1966.

- PCF 50 departed Cam Ranh Bay, 5 July 1967, to establish an operating base at Cua Viet.

- On 30 October 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to An Thoi.

- On 31 March 1968, sailed to Cam Ranh Bay for out-of-country corrosion overhaul.

- On 10 August 1968, PCF 50 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 the morning of 3 November 1968, PCF 36, PCF 43 and PCF 50, along with VNN Coastal Group 41 units, with a Regional Force embarked, carried out a raid up the Ong Doc river, 65 miles south of Rach Gia on the Gulf of Thailand. While PCF 36 remained a few miles from the river mouth to support a Regional Force sweep to the south, PCF 43 and PCF 50 proceeded to a point 10 miles up river to take suspected enemy positions under fire. Sniper fire was received killing the after mount operator of PCF 50. PCF 50 spotted the sniper and killed him as he attempted to escape. During the operation USS DuPont DD 941 and USCGC Ingram WHEC 35 provided 5-inch naval gunfire support.

- At 1300H on 4 December 1969, US PCFs 50, 56, VNN PCF 3805, an LSSL with Seawolves providing air cover, were conducting a psyops patrol on the Song Dam Doi about 25 kilometers northwest of Sea Float, when they were ambushed by an unknown number of VC with B-40, AK-47 and M-16 fire. The lead boat, PCF 50, took a B-40 hit head-on, in the pilot house, killing the bow gunner, RD3 Martin S. Doherty, and wounding the OinC, LTJG Robert S. White and helmsman, QM3 Thomas R. Terfehr. A second B-40 hit close aboard to port, wounding two (2) additional crewmen, EN2 John R. Phillips and BM3 Roy D. White, on the fantail. The VNN PCF 3805, took a B-40 hit low on the port bow and another on the port side of the pilot house, killing the USN advisor, BM1 Don E. Stevenson, and seriously wounding the VNN OinC and XO. PCF 56 received a B-40 near miss that wounded the OinC, LTJG Patrick L. Evans. The Seawolves and LSSL responded with saturation fire into the area and silenced the enemy fire. A VNN reaction team was inserted and a ground sweep resulted in the capture of two twin B-40 rocket launchers, two entrenching tools, wire and batteries. Two members of the VNN reaction team also received minor wounds.

- On 16 May 1970, PCFs 50, 64 and 692 were proceeding east on the Song Dam Doi, when all units were taken under heavy automatic weapons fire and rocket attack. PCF 50 was hit amidships, by 125mm launch bomb, and suffered a 5'x6' hole. PCF 64, astern, was hit by a B-40 rocket, on the fantail, killing two (2) US Navy personnel and wounding three (3) US Navy and four (4) Kit Carson Scouts. All units returned fire and spotted for SEAWOLVES and BLACK PONIES as they placed strikes. PCF 50 was stripped of all weapons and most of its gear, and then left in the river, because of the extensive amount of damage suffered.

- PCF 50 was recovered, 17 May 1970, by SEAFLOAT assets with heavy air cover. It was then transported to Cat Lo, by barge, for repair.

- PCF 50 returned to operational status 12 November 1970.   http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/newsletter2/26/newsletter.html

- PCFs 49 thru 54 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Colonial LSD 18, on 27 April 1966.

- On 6 June 1966, USS Fortify MSO 446, USS Dynamic MSO 432, PCF 45 and PCF 51 conducted SAR operations following a collision between two Vietnamese civilian junks off Ban Than Point, just north of Nha Trang. Five survivors were recovered.

- On 9 June 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to Chu Lai.

- On 20 June 1967, an explosion on board a US landing craft unloading ammunition at Duc Pho blew crew members into the water and started a fire which spread to the nearby ammunition supply point. Four MARKET TIME craft -- PCFs 49, 51, 54 and 60 -- were dispatched to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations. Despite a series of secondary explosions which hurtled shrapnel as far as 1,500 yards from the beach, the PCFs moved in and rescued 11 persons from the water. PCF 49 sustained minor hull damage during the mission, and two of the crew were wounded, one seriously.

- At 1400 on 9 August 1967, 600 yards from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), PCF 51 was struck by small-arms fire from an enemy shore position. The Swift boat was soon joined by USCGC Point Orient and the PCF and cutter each made a mortar-firing run past the enemy site, followed by machine-gun firing runs at close range. Air and artillery strikes were then requested, and a spotter subsequently confirmed that the enemy position had been destroyed and that at least one of the enemy had been killed. One member of the PCF's crew was wounded and was evacuated to Dong Ha for treatment.

- On 20 October 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to An Thoi.

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

- PCF 51 was the last boat to undergo an out-of-country overhaul and arrived back in Cam Ranh Bay, 31 October 1968. During this program 24 PCFs had been overhauled at Subic Bay, PI and at Sasebo, Japan and then returned in-country.

- PCF 51 was hit by a B-40 rocket, while transiting "Rocket Alley" on the Rach Bang Cung, amidships, in the main cabin, during a Chieu Hoi psyops mission, resulting in the lose of one (1) crewman and the wounding two (2) others, 17 December 1968.

- 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 13 April 1969, PCF 51 was one of 13 Swiftboats taking part in Operation Silver Lance II. This action resulted in the loss of PCF 43, severe damage to PCFs 5, 21, 38 & 51 and  damage to PCFs 9 & 45. Two swiftboat sailors were killed and another three were severely injured; one UDT member was killed, two others severely wounded and another four wounded and one Vietnamese Marine was killed and another five seriously wounded.

- On 15 May 1969 four PCFs were attacked by VC in the Song Bay Hap, resulting in two (2) US Navy killed and one (1) US Navy wounded

- On ?? February 1970 boat transferred from Sea Float to Cam Ranh Bay

- PCFs 49 thru 54 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Colonial LSD 18, on 27 April 1966.

- On 16 July 1966, PCF 52 received small arms fire from shore positions just south of Nha Trang while conducting a PSYOPS broadcast. The PCF received two hits in the pilot house, one in the main cabin, one in the gun tub and one on the radar mast. There were no personnel casualties.

- On 20 October 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to An Thoi.

- On 14 April 1968 boat transferred from An Thoi to Cat Lo

- 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.

- PCFs 49 thru 54 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Colonial LSD 18, on 27 April 1966.

- PCF 53 departed Cam Ranh Bay, 5 July 1967, to establish an operating base at Cua Viet.

- On 20 October 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to An Thoi.

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

- 27 July 1968, PCF 53 rescued two Air Force pilots after their F-100 was shot down.  Stars and Stripes story

- A group of seven detainees picked up by PCF 53, on 19 October 1968, 30 miles southwest of Vung Tau, were classified as prisoners of war during November as a result of interrogations.

- On 19 August 1969, while investigating a suspicious sampan, off the northwestern tip of Dung Island, PCF 53 came under attack from shore machine gun positions and was hit by a B-40 rocket. The sampan and machine gun positions were fired upon while PCF 53 made its withdrawal, so that temporary repairs could be made to its port bow, where the rocket had made an 18" hole in the hull, at the waterline.

- 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.

- At 1120H on 30 November 1969, the Alaska Barge and Transport Company office at Vung Tau reported that the civilian tug R Pace, with three barges, was sinking in the vicinity of channel marker 2 in the Cua Tieu River, about 12 miles southwest of Vung Tau. PCFs 53 and 103, enroute to Binh Tuy overheard the tug's SOS transmission and proceeded to the scene. The tug was sighted at 1155H and PCF 103 assumed the position of On-scene Commander. At 1216H, the PCF evacuated all 11 crewmembers. Two MSTS tugs had been dispatched to the scene, and at 1245H the R Pace tug master was transferred to the MSTS salvage tug Ann B. The tug master stated that the R Pace was badly holed when she went aground.

- PCFs 49 thru 54 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Colonial LSD 18, on 27 April 1966.

- At 1815 on 4 December 1966, PCF 54 detected a heavily -damaged fishing junk ten miles northeast of Nha Trang. The 80-foot craft was carrying 36 men (and seven children) who were later identified as Chinese fishermen from Tanh Sien, Hainan Island, Communist China. The junk's cargo consisted of fish and fishing equipment. No contraband was found. interrogation revealed that the junk had been damaged in a storm and had drifted southeast to the position where it was found by PCF 54. Arrangements were made through diplomatic channels for the return of the junk and all occupants.

- On 17 June 1966, PCF 46 observed an unidentified aircraft collide with the water about 3 miles southeast of Cape Varella (CQ 3725). PCF alerted the Coastal Surveillance Center Nha Trang, USS Fortify MSO 446 and PCF 54 in the adjacent Op-area 4D. Upon arriving on the scene, fuel was still burning on the water and PCF 43 made a quick search of the probable flight path and the perimeter of the fire. When the fire was reduced to burning bits of fuel soaked flotsam, PCF 43 entered the crash site looking for survivors and attempting to identify the aircraft. One body, flight and radio logs, and many large identifiable pieces of aircraft were recovered. The aircraft was subsequently identified as an Air Force C-130. The MSO arrived on the scene and assumed on scene commander about two hours after the crash. All units, MSO 446, PCFs 43 and 54 continued searching the area for about 15 hours. One large oil slick was discovered and presumed to mark the position of the aircraft. The depth of the water was over 26 fathoms.

- On the evening of 26 April 1967, 20 miles south of Nha Trang, PCF 54 observed the mid-air explosion of a US Air Force C-47 and proceeded to the area. USS Embattle MSO 434 and PCFs 46 and 51 subsequently joined the search and recovery mission. PCF 54 recovered the aircraft's flight log and Air Force personnel ashore located most of the wreckage on the beach. The mission was terminated at 1800 on the 27th and the MARKET TIME units returned to their regular patrols.

- On 11 June 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to Chu Lai.

- On 20 June 1967, an explosion on board a US landing craft unloading ammunition at Duc Pho blew crew members into the water and started a fire which spread to the nearby ammunition supply point. Four MARKET TIME craft -- PCFs 49, 51, 54 and 60 -- were dispatched to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations. Despite a series of secondary explosions which hurtled shrapnel as far as 1,500 yards from the beach, the PCFs moved in and rescued 11 persons from the water. PCF 49 sustained minor hull damage during the mission, and two of the crew were wounded, one seriously.

- 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 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.

- On 20 October 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh to An Thoi.

- On 14 April 1968 boat transferred from An Thoi to Cat Lo

- 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 15 May 1966 PCFs 55 thru 59 and PCF 61 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD. PCFs 55 and 56 remained in DaNang while the remaining boats transited to Qui Nhon, on 16 May 1966, forming the nucleus of the new PCF Division 105.

- 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 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.

- At about 1430 on 2 May 1968, PCF 55 received an urgent naval gunfire request from the 5/46 Infantry Battalion, Americal Division. A reconnaissance sweep of an area 14 miles southeast of Chu Lai by A Company of the 5/46th was taken under enemy automatic weapons fire. The "Swift" boat complied by firing 600 rounds of .50 caliber fire into the enemy position. As the ground operation continued it was determined that the PCF's gunfire had killed seven Viet Cong and flushed out another captured by the Army force. It was later reported that the prisoner was a hard core Viet Cong and the "best intelligence source from this area to date".

- March 1969 --- A report from PCF 55 revealed the extent to which "Swift" boat employment on rivers had increased over the past six months. A command detonated mine exploded 10 to 15 feet off the starboard side as it received heavy small arms automatic weapons fire from the north bank of the Cua Dai River. In the paragraph of the report covering the employment of the unit at the time of the incident, the "swift" boat indicated, "NORMAL M/T RIV PATROL." Normal river patrols on the Cua Dai during March 1969 were often far from routine as hostile fire, including two mine detonations, was encountered 12 times. In addition to hostile fire suppression, evading craft were engaged twice, another 19 naval gunfire support missions were fired and half a dozen ground probes were supported by Cua Dai patrols. Enemy losses came to 19 killed (7 body count plus 12 estimated), 2 wounded, 3 craft and 13 structures/bunkers damaged. Friendly casualties came to seven USN and four VNN wounded and two "Swift" boats received significant damage.

- 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 An Thoi.

- On 15 May 1966 PCFs 55 thru 59 and PCF 61 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD. PCFs 55 and 56 remained in DaNang while the remaining boats transited to Qui Nhon, on 16 May 1966, forming the nucleus of the new PCF Division 105.

- The first DaNang Swift Boat crewmember lost in action, was swept overboard, in heavy monsoon surf, at the mouth of the Hue river, 29 October 1966. An intensive search by aircraft and two PCFs failed to locate the body. At 0730 on 31 October 1966, Regional Force/Popular Force troops discovered the body on the beach.  Story

- On 7 May 1969 boat transferred from Cat Lo to An Thoi.

- On 7 September 1969 boat was heavily damaged by an underwater mine explosion. The boat was made temporarily seaworthy and transferred to Cam Ranh Bay for repairs. On 22 October 1969 the boat completed repairs and was returned to An Thoi.

- At 1300H on 4 December 1969, US PCFs 50, 56, VNN PCF 3805, an LSSL with Seawolves providing air cover, were conducting a psyops patrol on the Song Dam Doi about 25 kilometers northwest of Sea Float, when they were ambushed by an unknown number of VC with B-40, AK-47 and M-16 fire. The lead boat, PCF 50, took a B-40 hit head-on, in the pilot house, killing the bow gunner, RD3 Martin S. Doherty, and wounding the OinC, LTJG Robert S. White and helmsman, QM3 Thomas R. Terfehr. A second B-40 hit close aboard to port, wounding two (2) additional crewmen, EN2 John R. Phillips and BM3 Roy D. White, on the fantail. The VNN PCF 3805, took a B-40 hit low on the port bow and another on the port side of the pilot house, killing the USN advisor, BM1 Don E. Stevenson, and seriously wounding the VNN OinC and XO. PCF 56 received a B-40 near miss that wounded the OinC, LTJG Patrick L. Evans. The Seawolves and LSSL responded with saturation fire into the area and silenced the enemy fire. A VNN reaction team was inserted and a ground sweep resulted in the capture of two twin B-40 rocket launchers, two entrenching tools, wire and batteries. Two members of the VNN reaction team also received minor wounds.

- On 15 May 1966 PCFs 55 thru 59 and PCF 61 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD. PCFs 55 and 56 remained in DaNang while the remaining boats transited to Qui Nhon, on 16 May 1966, forming the nucleus of the new PCF Division 105.

- Just before noon on 3 August 1967, 43 miles south of Qui Nhon, PCF 60 rescued a junk containing seven South Vietnamese; the craft had become disabled in heavy seas. The Swift boat provided the occupants with first aid and food, then towed the junk a distance of four miles to the Coastal Group 24 base at Tuy Hoa. in a similar incident on the 13th, PCF 57 towed a disabled junk with four persons on board to Qui Nhon.

- On 10 October 1967 boat transferred from Qui Nhon to Chu Lai.

- On 14 October 1967, PCF 57 recovered four Vietnamese men and one child from a sailing junk which had sank while anchored in heavy seas off the coast of Quang Ngai Province.

- On 13 February 1968, PCF 57 fired urgent NGFS for elements of the Americal Division, TF Barker, under VC attack south of Chu Lai. During a four (4) hour period, the PCF fired continuously and received hostile automatic weapons fire in return. The PCF's support was instrumental in breaking up the enemy attack and silencing many hostile weapons positions.

- 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.

- 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.
   Of 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 12 August 1969, as the PCFs left the Rach Cai Chon Nho canal, from a night ambush mission, a claymore mine was detonated. PCF 57 sustained heavy battle damage and one (1) US Navy KIA and one (1) US Navy wounded.

- At 0200 on the morning of 27 September 1969, two suspicious Nationalist Chinese fishing vessels were spotted within the restricted zone by PCF 57 about 25 miles south of Phan Rang. The two vessels were closed; however, heavy seas prevented boarding. The vessels then retrieved their nets and departed the area escorted by PCF 57.

- 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.

- On 15 May 1966 PCFs 55 thru 59 and PCF 61 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD. PCFs 55 and 56 remained in DaNang while the remaining boats transited to Qui Nhon, on 16 May 1966, forming the nucleus of the new PCF Division 105.

- At 1132H on 3 July 1966 PCF 58 received small arms fire from shore (CR108430). Fire was suppressed and PCF 58 withdrew, BM1 A.W. Porter sustained a bullet wound to the left hand.

- On 17 July 1966, while approaching an evading sail junk close in to shore, PCF 58 was taken under small arms and automatic weapons fire from shore. PCF 58 suppressed the fire and withdrew. The OinC was wounded in the left thigh and evacuated via USS Conway DE 507 and then taken by helicopter to the 85th MEDEVAC hospital.

- On 5 October 1967 boat transferred from Qui Nhon to Chu Lai.

- On 28 May 1968, PCF 58 intercepted a small junk containing three males waving a white flag. The men stated that they were North Vietnamese fisherman and wanted to Chieu Hoi in order to come to South Vietnam to avoid service in the North Vietnamese Army. They were turned over to the nearest induction center.

- At about 1730 on 19 March 1969, PCF 101 was proceeding down the Cua Dai River from Hoi An, in company with PCF 58, when it was hit in the main cabin by a 75mm recoilless rifle round. A fire broke out in the main cabin and the craft ran aground. As PCF 58 closed to assist, also receiving automatic weapons fire, the damaged craft broke free of the bottom just as a second 75mm round hit, at the waterline, again in the main cabin. This hit caused a fire which eventually detonated the ammunition stored in the main cabin below deck storage compartments. PCF 58 came upon 11 survivors (one USN and four VNN were wounded) in the water 500 yards up river from PCF 101 which was now aground and ablaze. Artillery and air strikes were called into the enemy positions by PCF 58 before heading for CG 14 with the survivors. Two more "Swift" boats were sent into the river to assist when it was discovered that three men were still missing. Three other PCFs also joined in the search and efforts to salvage PCF 101 before the craft was freed and taken to the CG 14 base at about 0300 on the 20th. At 0730 the three missing men, all with minor wounds, were taken off a sampan while on their way to CG 14 after having spent the night on Thuan Tinh Island.   Full Story

- PCF 101 was out of service until 20 July 1969, for repairs at Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines.
   Note: This attack took place in a location that became known, infamously, at least to the Swiftees in DaNang and Chu Lai, as "Ambush Alley," because it was a sharp bend in the river that had a sand bar running diagonally across it. In order to cross this sandbar, it was necessary to throttle back the engines to idle, which would lift the stern of the boat up onto the surface of the water and allow the skegs to clear the sandbar obstruction. This action made the boat a sitting duck target while you glided over the sandbar and then slowly accelerated away to continue down river.

- 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 morning of 3 May 1969, PCFs 61, 58, 39, Coastal Group 14, a Regional Force Unit from Quang Nam, 2 OV-10A, an Underwater Demolition Team and the TG 115.1 EOD Team conducted SEA TIGER operations along the Song Thu Bon and Truong Giang Rivers about 3 miles southeast of Hoi An. PCFs 61, 58 and 39 prepped the beach and inserted UDT and EOD teams near the mouth of the Truong Giang River to destroy bunkers and structures, while Coastal Group 14 inserted the Quang Nam RF units to provide perimeter defense. PCF 39 and Coastal Group units provided a river blocking force while PCF 61 and PCF 58 proceeded about one mile up the Truong Giang River to destroy bunkers and structures. Upon completion of the initial mission Coastal Group 14 extracted the Quang Nam RF units while PCFs 61 and 39 withdrew the EOD and UDT teams and reinserted them about three miles up the Truong Giang River to continue bunker destruction. There was no hostile fire encountered during the entire operation which lasted about six hours. Enemy losses were four sampans, 16 structures and 42 bunkers destroyed and 16 structures and 8 bunkers damaged. Seven large fires continued to burn as SEA TIGER units withdrew from the area. The Quang Nam Regional Forces received two Hoi Chanh as a direct result of the operation. There were no friendly casualties.

- On 23 May 1969, PCF 58 entered a 53 day overhaul at Cam Ranh Bay, which was completed on 14 July 1969. On 23-24 July 1969, propeller tests were conducted to compare overload conditions on the 12V71 engines, using 28x27 inch/pitch vs. 28x25 inch/pitch screws. Using the 28x27 screws, overload conditions occurred at 2000 rpm. No overload conditions were observed, at any speed, when using the 28x25 propeller, however a loss of about one knot in speed was prevalent at all speed changes. PCF 58 was loaded out to weigh 50,000 lbs and 47,500 lbs on each test run. Approval was granted to equip all PCFs with the 28x25 propellers, as a result of these tests.

- 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 was also scheduled for turnover to the Vietnamese Navy in early November.

- On 15 May 1966 PCFs 55 thru 59 and PCF 61 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD. PCFs 55 and 56 remained in DaNang while the remaining boats transited to Qui Nhon, on 16 May 1966, forming the nucleus of the new PCF Division 105.

- PCF 59 was damaged by small arms fire while supporting a flight of Huey helicopters that had cornered some VC on the beach near Qui Nhon. The helo's called for 81mm support from PCF 59 and as the boat put its stern to the beach to fire, it was taken under fire. This was the first combat patrol for PCF 59, just after its arrival in Qui Nhon.

- On 24 June 1967, PCF 59 assisted a drifting passenger junk, 35 miles north of Qui Nhon; the junk's 125 passengers had been adrift for about 24 hours. The PCF's crew provided the occupants with food, water and medical assistance, and repaired the junk's inoperative engine.

- At 0100 on 11 September 1967, during a normal Market Time Patrol off the coast of South Vietnam, PCF 59 suffered a serious electrical fire in the engine room batteries. During a routine check of the engine room, it was discovered that the engine compartment was filled with thick smoke. The electrical circuits were secured by the engineman, who then started fighting the fires with CO2 fire extinguishers. The fires were quickly extinguished and further serious material damage and possible personnel casualties were averted.  Letter of Commendation

- On the afternoon of 19 May 1969, four PCFs on a probing mission were transiting north on the Rach Co Oc, in Kien Hon Province, when they became involved in an enemy initiated firefight one mile up river. The enemy fire was returned immediately and suppressed while the "Swift" boats cleared the ambush site. The forward gunner suffered serious shrapnel wounds from a B-40 rocket and although medevaced to Dong Tam, later died of his wounds. The results of the probing mission were: 31 sampans destroyed, 36 structures destroyed and 29 damaged and 15 bunkers damaged. In addition, EOD teams embarked destroyed 2 large log barricades and a wooden foot bridge on the Rach Cai Bai and 1 large bunker.

- July 1969, we were going full speed ahead when we hit and it wasn't a pretty sight. We were hoping no one had a picture of this incident and to the best of my knowledge we never told anyone. In fact we had to report our location every 4 hours and I believe we kept sending in various locations that were anywhere but where we really were, I don't recall whose idea that was. It took us two days to get afloat again and we did so by using our shovels to dig a trench to allow the screws to get free and back off the sand bar at high tide. We also dug as much sand out from under the boat as possible so it was on piers to reduce friction when the tide came back in. LTJG Denis Daley was the OINC when we went aground.  As related by RD2 Terry Carroll

- On the night of 1 November 1969, a US Army OH-6A helicopter was reported down about two miles southwest of Sa Dec. PCFs 37, 59 and 102 proceeded to search the area with PCF 102 locating the helo partially submerged at the waters edge. The three US occupants were dead. The PCFs stood by to assist in the removal of the bodies and to provide security for the ordnance on board the helo. A Vietnamese stated that the helo was burning at the time of the crash. PCF 59 remained on the scene until relieved by US Army personnel.

- 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.

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