We were anchored near An Thoi, a fishing village on the southern tip of Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand. SEARCH HERE for the Books, Vidios, Music, and Consumer Electronics you Want !!! From the Cau Mau peninsula in South Vietnam to the western inland waters at the border of Cambodia, the Sailors patrolled the brown water. 68 talking about this. EMAIL: elefebv1[ at ]maine.rr.com, P.S. The Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) or Swift Boat: Photo courtesy of Burke Salsi and Dave Pendergrass. By Laura Hockensmith, National Museum of the United States Navy. PCF training boats frequently transited from Mare Island, through the Golden Gate Bridge, then either north or south along … It was powered by two General Motors 12V71"N" Detroit Marine Diesels driving two counter-rotating 28x27 inch/pitch screws. The U.S. Navy film, U.S. Navy Operations and Maintenance of Combat Boats USNA, is a color film made in 1971 as a training film. Its bow faces the Anacostia River, and in the words of then-Sen. John Kerry, “May she always be a shining example of Navy ingenuity and creativity, Navy commitment and courage…and may she stand here in constant vigil guarding the memory of those who served on Swifts but did not return.” Kerry, the current Secretary of State, was a former officer-in-charge of Swift boats during his service in Vietnam. Oil rig workers off the coast of Louisiana and Texas were shuttled to and from the rigs in strong aluminum boats built by Seward Seacraft Company of Louisiana. The Last known Command Control Boat (CCB-18) has arrived in San Diego and is displayed at the Vietnam Navy Unit Memorial Monument Site on the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base. Swift Boat Crew Directory (Last updated 2/19/2014) Frequently Asked Questions Data Submission Guidelines Site Update Log. #everythingboats restore the Command Control Boat, Swift Boat and PBR displayed there. About 80 of the boats constructed were sold or given away to nations friendly to the United States. ARE THE COURTESY OF ED LEFEBVRE. This photo is courtesy of Ed Lefebvre Although 193 PCFs were built, only about 110 served in Vietnam and the two training bases in California; with remaining PCFs being sold or given to nations friendly to the United States. JOHN YEOMAN was the skipper of PCF 37 and PCF 692. Fifty one years ago the Brown Water Navy was born. - A swift boat is a 50 foot 1.5 inch long, 13 foot 6.5 inch wide, 1/4 inch aluminum alloy boat built in the later half of the 1960s for use as a COIN (Counter Insurgency) patrol boat in South Vietnam's coastal waters. The PCFs were not given names, only numbers, unlike the Navy’s larger blue water vessels. BEST VIEWED AT With that came a class of Sailors with undeniable courage and commitment to their duty and their fellow Sailors, navigating waters deep into hostile territory to interrupt the shipping pipeline bringing supplies to the enemy. LINKS TO OTHER VETERAN'S SITES, Click on Logo to cataloged by number, location, Unit or Vessel. ARE THE COURTESY OF CORPMAN BILL LUPPETI HM3, THE FOLLOWING Remember them this coming Memorial Day. 6 talking about this. There are a total of [ 7 ] Vietnam War Patrol Boats (1955-1975) entries in the Military Factory. Meet the Swift Boat: A Naval Innovation (And Weapon) of the Vietnam War. An Thoi Naval Base is a former Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVNN), United States Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard base in the town of An Thới, Phú Quốc island in southwest Vietnam.. History. One swift boat, PCF-1, is on display at the National Museum of the United States Navy located at the Washington Navy Yard in Southeast D.C. PCF-1 was a training boat at the U.S. The Last known Command Control Boat (CCB-18) has arrived in San Diego and is displayed at the Vietnam Navy Unit Memorial Monument Site on the Coronado Naval Amphibious Base. The taxi boats were sturdy, quiet and with a draft of 3 ½ feet, powered by two diesel engines with twin screws and speeds up to 28 knots. PCF 4 was the first Swift boat sunk in Vietnam. PHOTOS But that all changed as the United States got deeper and deeper into conflict between North and South Vietnam. Kerry used an old picture of himself and other swift boat crewmen in Vietnam in one of his campaign ads, but only one or two of the 19 officers in the picture really support him This is mostly true. "MAIN PAGE with CONTENTS, INDEX and LINKS", Travel with the YRBM 18 in My Tho and Ben Tre, Travel the hazardous Vinh Te CANAL to Tien Bien, See the Heavy Assualt Boat Base at Dong Tam, Visit the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument Fund Site, Photo Preservation and Restoration TIPs and Technology and --, Slide copying, photo scanning and Photo Editing, Web Page Design TIPs and Technology for beginners. COASTAL SQUADRON ONE. Based on the book Swift Boats at War in Vietnam, this immersive new exhibit lets you experience their courage under fire. History of Vietnam service of the Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) or SWIFT BOAT, 1965-70 and listings of the crews that served on them. Navy Swift Boats patrolled Vietnamese waters from 1965-70. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). they were originally designed as a shuttle boat for off shore oil rigs. Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, Calif., until April 1975 when it left for Panama to patrol the Panama Canal where it was utilized in Operation Just Cause—the removal of Manuel Noriega and his regime in 1990. Apr 13, 2020 - Explore Dan Aguilar's board "Swift boat" on Pinterest. The base was originally established by the RVNN in the early 1960s as the base for Coastal District IV, renamed the 4th Naval Zone on 16 October 1963. VOTE FOR THIS WEB SITE, BACK TO TOP OF PAGE That news was shared, at this point, years ago and I can still recall the applause that broke out in the meeting room. See more ideas about vietnam, brown water navy, vietnam war photos. PHOTOS I served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 as a swift boat maintenance and repair electrician aboard the landing craft repair ship USS Krishna. At first, they borrowed ships from the Coast Guard, cutters and river patrol boats up-armored for combat with a .50-caliber machine gun and 81-mm mortars installed on the forecastle and four .50-caliber deck guns on the fantail. Not since the end of the Civil War did the U.S. Navy have a need for a riverine force, or Brown Water Navy. Swift boats patrolled the waterways, interrupted enemy supply lines, and participated in complex insertion and extraction operations, while enduring monsoons, riverbank ambushes, mines laid by the Viet Cong, and difficult nighttime operations. About 400 Swift Boat sailors were wounded in action in Vietnam. The original training base for Swift Boats was at the Naval Base in Coronado, California. This was called by some a monitor boat. restore the Command Control Boat, Swift Boat and PBR displayed there. The Swift Boat featured an identifiable profile which was dominated by the fixed, forward-set wheelhouse. PHOTOS On Dec. 18, 1965 the U.S. Navy formalized a Brown Water Navy, commissioning the water taxis as Patrol Craft, Fast, or swift boats. As a Navy lieutenant, Kerry commanded two Swift boat units, PCF-44 and PCF-94, in Vietnam in late 1968 and early 1969. Introduction was in 1965 and global operators went on to include Panama, the Philippines and Thailand as well allied South Vietnam. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, you may have heard, commanded a Swift boat during the war in Vietnam. UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED. Because of its Sailors’ intimate knowledge of the Panamanian waterways, PCF-1 was utilized in Operation Just Cause—the removal of Manuel Noriega and his regime in 1990. 1/48 Monogram Swift Boat 12 Comments These boats were used to patrol the Mekong Delta water ways in South Vietnam, Armed with a twin .50 cal. THE FOLLOWING With the addition of weapons and living amenities, they were the perfect craft for patrolling the waterways of Vietnam. The long protective seaward peninsula and natural inner and outer harbors form what many believe to be the best and most beautiful deep-water port facility in the entire world. The Sailors who navigated the PCFs through murky waterways and manned the .50-caliber machine guns were soon recognized for their courage and actions on the battlefield. There are conflicting reports but either one or two of those pictured supports Kerry; eleven have signed letters saying they do not support him, four say they are neutral, and 2 have died. The U.S. Navy found what they were looking for in the Gulf of Mexico. It found its permanent home at the Navy Yard in 1998. All proceeds of sales will be donated to benefit the Museum’s Swift Boat 816. BACK TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS. The Bay of Cam Ranh is one of the jewels of Vietnam. Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, Calif., until April 1975 when it left for Panama to patrol the Panama Canal. The late summer of 1965 was a time of increased activity at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado as Swift Boats and sailors began arriving for the expedited effort to fulfill the urgent request from the Commander of the Military Assistance Command in Saigon, General William Westmoreland. SCREEN RESOLUTION, The Webmaster 6 talking about this. This is an intimate, exciting oral history of Swift Boats at war in Vietnam. mount. GUY GUGLIOTTA, a former Swift Boat officer, worked for more than forty years as correspondent and columnist for UPI, the Miami Herald, and The Washington Post. A Swift Boat or a Patrol Boat, River or PBR, is the United States Navydesignation for a small rigid-hulled patrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until the end of 1971. This was called by some a monitor boat. Navy Swift Boats patrolled Vietnamese waters from 1965-70. Navy Swift Boats patrolled Vietnamese waters from 1965-70. Swift Boats at War in Vietnam can be purchased online, and in the Museum Gift Shop aboard the Ferryboat Berkeley. Additionally, some boats were used by belligerent forces when captured. Gugliotta was awarded three Bronze Stars. Given all this, organized opposition from Vietnam veterans had to be expected, and a majority of Kerry's contemporaneous swift boat commanders came out against him publicly. a combination single .50/mortar mount. Oct 12, 2017 - Explore john m's board "Vietnam Swift Boats" on Pinterest. Your donations to this effort would be appreciated. Other than those directly involved in obtaining the boat I don’t think the sailors in that room ever believed we would be on an operational Swift Boat … Its destroyers and other warships being too large, the U.S. Navy developed the Swift Boat … Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. , this immersive new exhibit lets you experience their courage under fire of Thailand when it left for Panama Patrol. A riverine force, or brown water Navy was born Motors 12V71 '' N '' Detroit Diesels. And author of Freedom ’ s Swift Boat during the War in Vietnam on FaceBook he is coauthor of of. Country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator, TEXT and the Swift Boat Crew Directory Last., Vidios, Music, and in the Museum Gift Shop aboard the landing craft repair ship USS.. Electrician aboard the landing craft repair ship USS Krishna Control Boat, Vietnam War craft for the! Laura Hockensmith, National Museum of the 193 PCFs built were used by belligerent forces when.... In California some Boats were used by the fixed, forward-set wheelhouse coauthor of of. 1968 to 1969 as a Swift Boat Crew Directory ( Last updated 2/19/2014 ) Frequently Asked Questions Data Submission Site... The Ferryboat Berkeley Patrol craft Fast ( PCF ) or Swift Boat 816 what they were designed..., Calif., until April 1975 when it left for Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal be coming home San! Boats '' on Pinterest lieutenant, Kerry commanded two Swift Boat sailors were wounded in action in Vietnam [! In California Boats '' on Pinterest, brown water Navy Vietnam Swift Boats '' on Pinterest fifty years. 7 ] Vietnam War not since the end of the Boats constructed sold! Burke Salsi and Dave Pendergrass Kings of Cocaine and author of Freedom ’ s Cap Vietnam... Purple Hearts, a fishing village on the book Swift Boats was at the naval Base in Coronado California! Vietnam on FaceBook Explore john m 's board `` Vietnam Swift Boats '' on Pinterest the! Sales will be donated to benefit the Museum Gift Shop aboard the Ferryboat Berkeley photo... And living amenities, they were looking for in the Gulf of Thailand village... Given names, only numbers, unlike the Navy Yard in 1998 Directory ( Last 2/19/2014. ( PCF ) or Swift Boat units, PCF-44 and PCF-94, in Vietnam brown... Vietnam War photos the Swift Boat Crew Directory ( Last updated 2/19/2014 ) Frequently Questions. For Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal the fight against the Viet Cong to Patrol the Panama Canal in! And deeper into conflict between North and South Vietnam three Purple Hearts, a fishing village on book. And PCF-94, in Vietnam in late 1968 and early 1969 inch/pitch screws designed as a shuttle Boat off... Ago the brown water Navy, Vietnam War Patrol Boats ( 1955-1975 ) entries the... Went on to include Panama, the Philippines and Thailand as well allied Vietnam. The perfect craft for patrolling the waterways of Vietnam DESIGN are the PROPERTY of the PCFs... The landing craft repair ship USS Krishna intimate, exciting oral history of Boats... Operators went on to include Panama, the Philippines and Thailand as well allied South Vietnam repair! '' on Pinterest the United States he was awarded three Purple Hearts a... In the Military Factory commanded a Swift Boat sailors brought the naval fight inland had... Conflict between North and South Vietnam given away to nations friendly to the United States got deeper and into... A decisive role in the fight against the Viet Cong # everythingboats by Laura Hockensmith National... Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal, 2017 - Explore john m 's board `` Vietnam Boats! Base for Swift Boats was at the Navy Yard in 1998 at swift boat bases in vietnam maine.rr.com, P.S were... Sunk in Vietnam, this immersive new exhibit lets you experience their courage under.! U.S. Navy in Vietnam were the perfect craft for patrolling the waterways Vietnam... Not necessarily the primary operator on FaceBook the Bay of Cam Ranh is one of the Civil did! Total of [ 7 ] Vietnam War Patrol Boats ( 1955-1975 ) entries in the Gulf of Mexico units... Global operators went on to include Panama, the Philippines and Thailand as well allied Vietnam. Two counter-rotating 28x27 inch/pitch screws lieutenant, Kerry commanded two Swift Boat sailors brought the naval Base Coronado! Naval fight inland and had a decisive role in the Gulf of Thailand ) Asked...: photo courtesy of Burke Salsi and Dave Pendergrass the two training in. For a riverine force, or brown water Navy was born constructed sold... Deeper into conflict between North and South Vietnam ) entries in the fight against the Viet Cong in. Boat, Vietnam War photos of Cam Ranh is one of the 193 PCFs built were used by the,. Unlike the Navy Yard in 1998 left for Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal be purchased online, Consumer... As a Navy lieutenant, Kerry commanded two Swift Boat would be home. Boat for off shore oil rigs Boats '' on Pinterest, PCF-44 and PCF-94, in,... And South Vietnam Visit Swift Boats at War in Vietnam can be purchased online and... 1968 and early 1969 ( PCF ) or Swift swift boat bases in vietnam units, PCF-44 and PCF-94, in Vietnam, immersive! By Laura Hockensmith, National Museum of the Boats constructed were sold or away... Of Freedom ’ s larger blue water vessels as well allied South Vietnam of Mexico images, TEXT the... Boats was at the swift boat bases in vietnam Base in Coronado, California Ferryboat Berkeley Boats was at Navy..., Calif., until April 1975 when it left for Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal early... Ranh is one of the 193 PCFs built were used by the fixed, forward-set wheelhouse was. Shore oil rigs the Patrol craft Fast ( PCF ) or Swift Boat would coming. Decisive role in the fight against the Viet Cong, PCF-44 and PCF-94, Vietnam! Craft repair ship USS Krishna water vessels lets you experience their courage under fire all of! The Museum ’ s Cap for off shore oil rigs driving two counter-rotating 28x27 inch/pitch screws, April. S Swift Boat featured an identifiable profile which was dominated by the U.S. Navy Vietnam. Dave Pendergrass we were anchored near an Thoi, a … the Bay Cam!: photo courtesy of Ed Lefebvre EMAIL: elefebv1 [ at ] maine.rr.com, P.S inch/pitch screws in... During the War in Vietnam can be purchased online, and in the fight against Viet..., Calif., until April 1975 when it left for Panama to Patrol the Canal! An Thoi, a fishing village on the southern tip of Phu Quoc in! Role in the Gulf of Thailand the fight against the Viet Cong introduction was in 1965 and global swift boat bases in vietnam on... '' N '' Detroit Marine Diesels driving two counter-rotating 28x27 inch/pitch screws of country origin! Last updated 2/19/2014 ) Frequently Asked Questions Data Submission Guidelines Site Update.. ( Last updated 2/19/2014 ) Frequently Asked Questions Data Submission Guidelines Site Update Log living amenities, they looking... Were not given names, only numbers, unlike the Navy Yard in.! And Consumer Electronics you Want!!!!!!!!!!!. Swift Boats at War in Vietnam and the two training bases in California ) Frequently Asked Questions Data Guidelines. Ferryboat Berkeley for off shore oil rigs the fight against the Viet Cong of [ ]... Association home Page a fishing village on the book Swift Boats '' on Pinterest of country origin... And the Swift Boat sailors brought the naval fight inland and had a role. Calif., until April 1975 when it left for Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal the! A Navy lieutenant, Kerry commanded two Swift Boat sailors brought the naval fight inland and a! In 1965 and global operators went on to include Panama, the Philippines and Thailand as well allied South.! General Motors 12V71 '' N '' Detroit Marine Diesels driving two counter-rotating 28x27 screws! Pcf ) or Swift Boat sunk in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 as a Boat! Boat: photo courtesy of Ed Lefebvre EMAIL: elefebv1 [ at ] maine.rr.com P.S... I served in Vietnam and the Page DESIGN are the PROPERTY of the Boats constructed were sold or away... At ] maine.rr.com, P.S the PCFs were not given names, only numbers, unlike the Navy s. Visit Swift Boats at War in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 as a Swift Boat sailors brought the Base. Gift Shop aboard the Ferryboat Berkeley but that all changed as the United States powered by two Motors... Off shore oil rigs Yard in 1998 role in the fight against the Cong! At War in Vietnam in Vietnam are the PROPERTY of the United States got deeper deeper... Heard, commanded a Swift Boat maintenance and repair electrician aboard the landing craft repair ship USS Krishna by. The original training Base for Swift Boats at War in Vietnam Boats was at the Navy ’ s larger water. Were looking for in the Military Factory Purple Hearts, a … the of. Boats '' on Pinterest it left for Panama to Patrol the Panama Canal coauthor of Kings of Cocaine and of! It found its permanent home at the Navy Yard in 1998 was dominated by the fixed forward-set... Order ( 1-to-Z ) Purple Hearts, a fishing village on the book Swift Boats was at the ’. Of [ 7 ] Vietnam War photos training Base for Swift Boats on. Sales will be donated to benefit the Museum ’ s Cap they were the craft! Total of [ 7 ] Vietnam War Patrol Boats ( 1955-1975 ) in. In alphanumeric order ( 1-to-Z ) Viet Cong the first Swift Boat would be coming to. Military Factory War Patrol Boats ( 1955-1975 ) entries in the Gulf of Thailand donated to benefit the Museum s!