Crew Listings for PCF 70 thru 79

- PCFs 67 thru 71 and their crews, traveled together, in the well deck of the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5, from Subic Bay to Cat Lo, arriving on 28 July 1966.

- At 0900 on 4 March 1967, Captain Ralph Di Cori, USN, relieved Captain Clifford Lee Stewart, USN, as Commander Coastal Surveillance Force (CFT 115) in a brief ceremony on board PCF 70 in Saigon harbor. During the ceremony, Admiral Norvell G. Ward, USN, Commander US Naval Forces, Vietnam, presented Captain Stewart with the Legion of Merit for his role in developing the concepts, tactics and strategy of coastal inshore warfare.

- On 14 August 1967, PCFs 39 and 70 participated in a SAR operation for a crewman lost when a helicopter crashed into Vung Tau Harbor. The man was not found.

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

- During a naval gunfire mission 7 miles east of Quang Ngai on 7 November 1968, enemy recoilless rifle fire and small arms fire were encountered by PCFs 70 and 75. Two enemy recoilless rifle rounds struck PCF 70 causing heavy damage, killing one crewman, wounding three others, and knocking a Marine rider overboard. Both craft also received several small arms hits. The Marine lost overboard was not found by the search carried out by PCF 75 and three other "Swift" boats which arrived at the scene to assist. PCF 70 was out of service until 1 January 1969, for repairs by YR-71 personnel, in DaNang.

- 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 afternoon of 8 May 1969, PCF 69 and PCF 70, with UDT 13 Detachment "F" embarked, proceeded about three and one half miles up the Truong Giang River south-southeast of Hoi An to conduct SEA TIGER operations. The UDT team was inserted to destroy bunkers while PCF 69 and PCF 70 provided security and destroyed bunkers and structures along the river bank with M-79 mortars and concussion and thermite grenades. After four hours of operations the UDT team was extracted without any contact with the enemy. Enemy losses were 28 bunkers and 17 structures destroyed, 14 structures damaged and 150 pounds of rice destroyed.

- PCF 70/3905 was lost during a 1971 typhoon, the boat was swept into the jungle ... crew was rescued but the boat could not be salvaged because of a lack of both manpower and equipment. Two VN helicopters crashed trying to remove the 81mm mortar. The helicopter crews were rescued by Trung Uy Le Ba Chu who now lives in Little Saigon, Westminster, CA.

- PCFs 67 thru 71 and their crews, traveled together, in the well deck of the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5, from Subic Bay to Cat Lo, arriving on 28 July 1966.

- On 14 August 1966, a MIUWS 12 LCPL and PCF 71 unsuccessfully attempted to recover a merchant seaman who had gone under while swimming alongside the USNS General Patch in Vung Tau Harbor. An air/sea helicopter assisted in the attempt.

- At 2115 on 1 January 1967, PCF 71 operating a few miles south of the Bo De River, detected an unidentified and unlighted steel hulled contact ten miles off the coast, all challenges directed towards the vessel were ignored. When PCF 71 closed the unmarked vessel and illuminated her, she was taken under fire by the enemy ship. After taking several hits at point blank range from the enemy's automatic weapons, PCF 71 cleared the area to assess her damage. Unfortunately, by the time PCF 71 was able to resume the battle, contact with the enemy trawler had been lost. However, alerted by radio traffic from PCF 71, PCF 68 and the USCGC Point Gammon correctly diagnosed the intentions of the enemy trawler and intercepted her before she was able to make the beach. Pressing home the attack, PCF 68, with LTJG Alex BASS in charge, engaged the trawler in a fierce firefight. Employing white phosphorus mortar rounds, PCF 68 successfully set the enemy vessel afire before she could reach the safety of the river mouth less than one half mile away. However, before the trawler disappeared following a violent explosion, PCF 68 began receiving heavy automatic weapons fire from the beach and it became necessary for her to suppress the enemy fire from the beach as well as continue prosecution of the enemy vessel. No trace was ever found of the stricken trawler and increasing seas the next few days prevented SEAL teamsfrom assessing the area of action. During the major action, a junk was sunk by PCF 71 when it was mistakenly believed to have been part of the infiltration attempt. All hands on board this innocent vessel were saved.
   During the action both PCF 71 and PCF 68 were damaged by the automatic weapons fire and six members of the two crews were wounded-in-action, none seriously.

- PCF 71 sighted five men working fish traps approximately 50 miles northeast of Ca Mau Point on 31 October 1967. As the PCF closed to investigate, the men swam toward the beach. The PCF fired warning shots and then received heavy automatic-weapons fire from the shoreline, which resulted in minor flesh wounds to two USN personnel. PCF 71 returned the fire and suppressed the enemy fire.

- PCF 71 suffered two personnel casualties on 19 February 1968 as she closed the beach approximately 49 miles northeast of Ca Mau point in company with PCF 102 to provide direct gunfire against a hostile area. The Swift boats returned and suppressed the hostile fire with their .50 caliber machine guns while withdrawing to seaward. The injuries to the US Navymen were minor and the extent of enemy personnel casualties was unknown.

- On 18 October 1968, PCF 71 transferred from Cat Lo to An Thoi.

- On 1 November 1968, PCF 71 provided emergency NGFS for a US Coast Guard small boat which came under fire in Area 9F. PCF 71 suppressed the enemy fire and medevaced 1 Coast Guard WIA.

- On 5 December 1968, PCF 71 and PCF 72 fired in support of RVN Regional Forces in the Song Ong Doc river. Shortly after entering the river, the PCFs were taken under fire and PCF 72 received a rocket in her main cabin. The PCFs suppressed the enemy fire, killing 3 Viet Cong and then safely extracted the ground troops.

- On 18 December 1968, PCF 66 and PCF 71 raided enemy positions in the Dong Cung river and adjoining lake, destroying numerous sampans and structures. The PCFs encountered enemy fire during the operation, resulting in light damage to both boats and minor wounds to the OinC of PCF 66.

- 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.

- During a sweep of the Rach Nang on 2/12/1969, PCF 71 received a rocket hit shortly after entering and making contact with ground forces. PCF 71 began taking on water upon exiting the river. Despite vigorous attempts by OinC and crew to control flooding, PCF 71 sank in 10 feet of water. 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 dangerous sea conditions. The next day, 13 February, PCF 71 was successfully refloated by the salvage team.

- 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.

- On ?? July 1966, PCFs 72 thru 74 were delivered to An Thoi, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD.

- 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 5 December 1968, PCF 71 and PCF 72 fired in support of RVN Regional Forces in the Song Ong Doc river. Shortly after entering the river, the PCFs were taken under fire and PCF 72 received a rocket in her main cabin. The PCFs suppressed the enemy fire, killing 3 Viet Cong and then safely extracted the ground troops.

- 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 29 January 1969, PCFs 5, 72, 93 and 94, together with units of COSDIV 13, conducted operations in the Cua Lon river. PCFs 72 and 94 came under fire while probing a side canal resulting in 3 USN WIA and light damage to PCF 94.

- On ?? July 1966, PCFs 72 thru 74 were delivered to An Thoi, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD.

- On 26 March 1968, PCF 73 received hostile fire from the beach while investigating a report of enemy sampan activity in Area 9H. PCF suppressed hostile fire while receiving minor damage.

- A Vietnamese outpost five miles southeast of Ha Tien came under heavy enemy fire on the evening of 3 May 1968. As PCF 73 closed the beach in response to the urgent request for gunfire support it was greeted by automatic weapons fire. Two .30 caliber rounds struck the main cabin of the "Swift" boat shattering two windows. The enemy fire was suppressed with mortar and .50 caliber response from the Market Time unit. One Navyman received minor cuts from the flying glass.

- 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 18 October 1968, PCF 73 transferred from An Thoi to Cam Ranh Bay.

- PCFs 73, 74 and 92 were turned over to OinC, Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One, Western Pacific Detachment, Unit Two, 7 November 1968.

- PCFs 73 and 74 were returned to Coastal Squadron One, 11 April 1969.

- On ?? July 1966, PCFs 72 thru 74 were delivered to An Thoi, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard a US Navy LSD.

- 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 18 October 1968, PCF 74 transferred from An Thoi to Cam Ranh Bay.

- PCFs 73, 74 and 92 were turned over to OinC, Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One, Western Pacific Detachment, Unit Two, 7 November 1968.

- PCFs 73 and 74 were returned to Coastal Squadron One, 11 April 1969.

- PCF 74, while acting as a blocking force on 15 November 1969, two miles east of Nha Trang, picked up a swimmer in the water. The swimmer had no papers and claimed to have been thrown overboard from a junk. On resumption of patrol, a junk with five men on board was stopped, boarded and searched. The swimmer claimed that one man on the junk was his brother. None of the five men had proper identification papers, and all were turned over to the Second Coastal Zone Intelligence Officer for disposition.

- PCFs 75 thru 79 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 on 30 July 1966.

- On 17 February 1967, PCF 75 conducted a daylight Medevac mission for the USS Firm MSO 444 in the First Coastal Zone. A petty officer aboard the minesweeper had suffered a severe electrical shock and needed immediate medical attention. PCF 75 volunteered its services, and the man was transferred to the SWIFT boat and transported at maximum speed to the USS Providence CLG-6 for treatment.

- 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 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

- 8 October 1967, PCF 75 was returning to the Chu Lai swift base, to take on additional 81mm "STARSHELL" illumination rounds, when the boat ran aground on the reef along the northside of the channel. The crew had holed the boats' bottom, badly bent up both screws and had to tie the boat up to the rocks to keep it from floating out with the tide and sinking. The crew climbed up to the top of the island and were rescued by a marine helicopter that took them back to the base. The marines also left a guard at the location to keep tabs on the boat till a repair effort could be launched the following morning.
  The boat was temporarily patched by stuffing the hole with rags while the water was pumped out so when the tide came back in the boat would float itself clear of the reef.
  The boat was then towed to DaNang for repairs by the YR71 maintenance personnel and a short time later returned to service.

- During a naval gunfire mission 7 miles east of Quang Ngai on 7 November 1968, enemy recoilless rifle fire and small arms fire were encountered by PCFs 70 and 75. Two enemy recoilless rifle rounds struck PCF 70 causing heavy damage, killing one crewman, wounding three others, and knocking a Marine rider overboard. Both craft also received several small arms hits. The Marine lost overboard was not found by the search carried out by PCF 75 and three other "Swift" boats which arrived at the scene to assist. PCF 70 was out of service until 1 January 1969, for repairs by YR-71 personnel, in DaNang.

- At noon on 16 July 1969, PCF 91 observed an F-100 aircraft crash about 2.5 miles east of Tuy Hoa AFB. The pilot ejected; however, the parachute failed to open and no beeper was heard after the crash. While PCF 75 and HMAS Brisbane searched the area, PCF 91 ferried divers from Tuy Hoa AFB to the USS Widgeon MSC 208. After the Widgeon discovered the main body of the wreckage with sounding gear, the divers were put into the water. The fuselage was discovered in several large pieces; however, the divers were unable to locate the pilot or cockpit section. At 1200 on 17 July the divers ceased operations and were returned to Tuy Hoa AFB.

- On the afternoon of 25 October 1969, a Sea Tiger mission was carried out about 15 miles southeast of DaNang, with two units of Coastal Group 14 inserting EOD, UDT and Duffel Bag personnel. The EOD and UDT conducted a reconnaissance of the beach while Duffle Bag personnel removed a sensor string that had been rendered inactive during recent high flood waters. PCFs 75 and 80 and two skimmers provided offshore support. Helo gunships and an Air Force O-2 observation aircraft provided air cover. After the troops had been extracted, a CG 15 junk ran aground and began receiving heavy semi-automatic and automatic weapons fire from three positions. The two skimmers made strafing runs, and the PCFs and CG 14 junk fired their 81mm mortars. During the 55 minutes required to free the junk from the sand bar, the VC fired at the junk and skimmers on numerous occasions. Once the junk was afloat and out of danger, the "Swift" boats and skimmers inserted the EOD, UDT and Duffle Bag personnel two to four miles southwest of the original insertion point and removed inoperative sensors without incident. All personnel were extracted and exited the area while the helo gunships took uniformed VC under fire along the river banks. The PCF's destroyed four large bunkers and killed five Viet Cong. The helo gunships accounted for three structures and seven large bunkers destroyed and six Viet Cong killed. One US sailor received a minor leg wound from an AK-47 round.

- PCFs 75 thru 79 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 on 30 July 1966.

- At 1230 on 21 August 1966, PCF 76 fired warning shots at two evading junks 25 miles south of DaNang, and in return received automatic weapons and small arms fire from the beach. Fire was returned at the junks and at the beach, resulting on damage to the junks. Two PCF crewmen received minor wounds. Viet Cong casualties were unknown.

- While conducting a routine search of junks 55 miles north of Qui Nhon at 1010 on 8 November 1966, PCF 76 received automatic weapons fire from the beach, taking two superficial hits. PCF 76 suppressed the fire with her .50 caliber machine guns with no friendly casualties.

- 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 4 June 1967, while conducting a "psywar" mission just south of Cape Batangan, PCF 76 received automatic-weapons fire from the beach. The Swift boat returned the fire with 81mm mortars, initiating a secondary explosion. Then a forward air controller (FAC) arrived on the scene and spotted for additional mortar fire; the fire destroyed nine structures and killed three Viet Cong (probable's). Three of the PCF's crew received slight wounds during the engagement.

- Boat capsized, sank and was lost while transiting heavy surf conditions, in an attempt to exit the Cua Viet river during a weather probe, 6 November 1967. One crewmember was rescued by helicopter while the rest of the crew were picked up by PCF 80 and its crew. Salvage efforts included dragging and a SONAR search, but contact with the boat could not be regained.

- PCFs 75 thru 79 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 on 30 July 1966.

- Boat sank and was destroyed when swamped off the South Vietnam coast, near Hue, it had been hit by a 30 foot wave, in monsoon weather, with two (2) crewmen and one (1) navy passenger lost, 15 November 1966. The crew had been attempting to rescue a swept overboard crewman, from PCF 22, who was later rescued.  Story

- PCFs 75 thru 79 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 on 30 July 1966.

- On 14 August 1966, PCF 78 recovered a downed pilot after observing him bail out of his disabled aircraft 20 miles south of DaNang. The pilot was uninjured and was later lifted by helicopter to DaNang.

- 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)

- On 12 February 1968, PCF 78 rescued all seven personnel onboard a downed Army helicopter, 12 miles north-northwest of DaNang.  (Full Story)

- On 19 February 1969, PCFs 55 and 78 conducted a probe of the river to the west of Hoi An, to test the navigational limits of the boats. On the return trip PCF 78 discovered that the French had preceded them in the area, as it struck an old submerged F.O.M.. PCF 78 flooded and sank in four (4) feet of water. She was later re-floated, by UDT personnel, and towed back to DaNang for repairs.

- PCF 78 was the last boat to patrol out of Chu Lai, as Coastal Division 12, Chu Lai Detachment, was officially disestablished 25 October 1969. The swift detachment was gone, but the weather had turned bad and the boat could not get out of the river/harbor for an additional three days.

- PCFs 75 thru 79 were delivered to DaNang, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 on 30 July 1966.

- On 15 July 1967, a North Vietnamese arms trawler was attempting a landing near Cape Batangan when taken under fire by PCF 79 and other Market Time units. The trawler was forced aground and captured by ground units with its cargo intact. A tabulation of the cargo revealed that the enemy was attempting to re-supply its land forces with over 1,000 new automatic weapons, 700,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, 10,000 pounds of explosives and nearly 4,000 anti-personnel mines and hand grenades.  (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 6 December 1967, PCF 79 came under automatic-weapons fire from five different positions while conducting a loudspeaker "psyops" mission along the South China Sea coast approximately 10 miles south of Cape Batangan. The Swift boat received five automatic-weapons hits with one round hitting the forward gunner, who was killed during the action. The PCF returned the fire with unknown results and opened the area.   (story)

- While patrolling the 1A area just south of the 17th parallel and the DMZ, 7 October 1968, PCF 79 was taken under fire by NVA heavy artillery. This was not the first time PCF's patrolling the 17th parallel were taken under fire by artillery, however the accuracy and tenacity of the fire this day was a very unwelcome development as PCF 79 was bracketed several times by the large caliber rounds, while it was taking evasive action.

- 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 Navymen suffered minor wounds and one Viet Cong was killed by return fire from the patrol craft.

- Boat transferred from Cam Ranh to DaNang, 1 February 1970, for turnover to the South Vietnamese Navy.

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