COMMANDER COASTAL DIVISION FOURTEEN
FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 96667
28 April 1968
FAMILY GRAM
Dear Families and Friends of Coastal Division FOURTEEN:
Since assuming Command of Coastal Division 14 on 13 January 1968, my pride and admiration for the officers and men of this division has continued to grow. These men, your men, who go out to sea in 50 foot aluminum boats have daily proven their expert seamanship, courage and resolution. Their motto "We Came to Patrol" was inspired by their determination to get to their assigned patrol stations regardless of the hazards involved. Their record to date proves the motto well earned and has made many crews of larger patrol craft look on with respect.
During the early hours of 1 March, four SWIFTS of Coastal Division 14 and several RVN Coastal patrol craft located an enemy steel-hulled ship attempting to infiltrate guns and ammunition to the VC. In what has been since described as "the greatest sea engagement of the Vietnamese conflict" PCFs 46, 47, 48 and 43 destroyed the 120 foot enemy trawler. The murderous .50 caliber machine gun and 81mm mortar fire enabled victory after a 15-minute battle. As in all victories some prices must be paid; two men aboard PCF-48 were wounded. ENFN Galliher suffered a minor leg wound and GMG2 Ulmer, a shoulder wound. today Galliher is back on the job and Ulmer recuperating in Japan. We all give Thanks that it was not more serious and wish Ulmer a speedy recovery. All personnel involved have been recommended to receive medals for their heroic actions.
Coastal Division 14 now has night SWIFT boats patrolling and two out of country for overhaul. Our lineup for the coming season, effective 25 April 68, is as follows:
| PCF 42 | PCF 43 |
| LTJG HEINZERLING (Smiley Sierra) | LTJG THORTON (Personality "Kilo") |
| GMG2 Phalen | BM2 Horn |
| SN Perkins | RDSN Sutherland |
| RD3 Bright | SN Hutton |
| ENFN Galliher | GMGSN Lewis |
| BM3 Watts | |
| PCF 44 | PCF 45 |
| LTJG GRACE (Twiggy) | LT SCHACHTE (Baccardi Charlie) |
| GM2 MacKinnon | BM2 McKnight |
| BM3 Goss | EN2 Kilpatrick |
| EN2 Anthony | BM3 Hansen |
| RD2 Shaw | SN Sledzaus |
| GMG2 Kreyer | GMG2 Sistrunk |
| PCF 46 | PCF 47 |
| LTJG FLEMING (Prince Henry) | LTJG HODGES (Rusty) |
| QM2/SS Rice | BM1 McCool |
| RDSN Dreyer | EN2 Roach |
| GMG3 Blankenship | QM3 Richards |
| BM3 Martin | RDSN Hart |
| PCF 48 | PCF 60 |
| LTJG SKURA (Sleepy) | LTJG VOSS (Crazylegs) |
| RD1 Shaffer | EN2 Harris |
| EN3 Farha | BM3 Byrom |
| GMGSN Gardner | QM2 Cassidy |
| RD3 Bradley | RD2 Donato |
| BM3 Verwolf | GMGSN Bohnet |
| PCF 82 | PCF 97 |
| LTJG Clark ( Stumpy) | LTJG WOOD (Zoomie X-Ray) |
| BM2 Carr | EN2 Watson |
| QM2 Owens | QM2 Jackson |
| EN2 Mebust | RD3 Rodiguez |
| RD3 Musolf | BM3 Hatch |
| GMGSN Adams | GMGSN Vance |
| LTJG BISHOP (Moby Dick) | LTJG REAM (Say "Huh") |
| QM1 Lavoie | QM2 Mundy |
| RD2 Taylor | EN2 Heck |
| EN3 Villareal | GMGSN Smith |
| GMGSN Taylor | BM3 Torney |
| BM3 Carpenter | RD3 Moreno |
| STAFF | STAFF |
| LT CALDWELL, OPS OFF | BM2 Mendonca |
| LTJG STRAW, MAINT OFF | RD2 Holland |
| QM2 Turner | RD3 Jerzembowski |
| YN2 Benefield | RD3 Troutt |
| ENC Buckler | LTJG DUERRE, INTELL OFF |
| LTJG CAREY (Newest in Vietnam) |
"Zoomie X-Ray" our Flying Boat Driver has arranged flight for all Coastal Division 14 Officers-in-Charge to observe their patrol areas from above. to date four Officers-in-Charge have been up and all consider the aerial observation beneficial and great fun.
Four SWIFTS have been outfitted with Psychological Operation Speakers, which are capable of broadcasting over distances in excess of one thousand yards. These speakers are used to inform local inhabitants of their governments effort to assist them and to persuade VC Sympathizers to give up their activities and support their government. The speakers are also excellent for introducing American Jazz into the small villages dotting the coast of Vietnam.
As fighting men in Vietnam we are all aware of our responsibilities, however, very honestly we are anxiously anticipating our tour completion date and return to the good old USA. In the mean time we of Coastal Division 14 thank you for your support and "keep those letters coming friends."
Hopefully I will be able to write a Family Gram every quarter, until June farewell.
G.W. Hibbard
LCDR
U.S. Navy
P.S. If I can ever be of assistance please do not hesitate to write.
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