Crew Listings for PCF 80 thru 89

- PCFs 80 thru 82 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 arriving on 29 July 1966.

- PCF 80 departed Cam Ranh Bay, 5 July 1967, to establish an operating base at Cua Viet.

- On 24 August 1967, one mile south of the DMZ, the commanding Officer and executive officer of USCGC Point Ellis were wounded by enemy fire while the cutter was firing a harassment-and-interdiction mission in support of an ARVN ground operation. The incident occurred about 1845 when two .30 caliber rounds struck the WPB's pilot house. The executive officer's wound produced paralysis and he was quickly transferred to PCF 80 and taken to USS Repose AH 16 for surgery. The commanding officer's wound was less serious and he was treated on board as the cutter returned to continue and complete its mission. ***Update*** On 22 February 2009, I received a message from "CDR Armand L. Chapeau, USCG, (Ret), "thanking the crew of PCF 80 for the care and encouragement they gave him during the transit between USCGC Point Ellis and the USS Repose. CDR Chapeau was the injured Executive Officer of the Point Ellis.

- PCF 80 transferred to DaNang operational control, 20 October 1967.

- PCF 80 had just returned from patrol, off the Cua Viet river, with the crew off the boat, having entered the river through very heavy surf conditions, when they noticed that PCF 76 was in trouble, trying to exit the river. They again manned PCF 80 and re-entered the heavy surf to coordinate and conduct the rescue of the crew. All personnel were rescued, one (1) by helicopter, but PCF 76 sank and was lost, 6 November 1967.

- 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 80 thru 82 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 arriving on 29 July 1966.

- On 23 September 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh Bay to Cua Viet.

- PCF 81 transferred to DaNang operational control, 20 October 1967.

- PCF 81 captured a North Vietnamese junk attempting to infiltrate a large load of automatic weapons and ammunition south of Cua Viet, 1 March 1968. Six (6) North Vietnamese crewmembers were also captured.

- Boat transferred from Cam Ranh to DaNang, 11 February 1970, with complete Vietnamese crew, for turnover to the South Vietnamese Navy.

- PCFs 80 thru 82 were delivered to Cam Ranh Bay, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Gunston Hall LSD 5 arriving on 29 July 1966.

- First PCF equipped with the new 6 kilowatt, water cooled Onan, AC power generator, giving the boat the capability of running ALL AC equipment at one time.

- On 22 February 1967 boat transferred from Cam Ranh Bay to Qui Nhon.

- On 9 August 1967 boat transferred back to Cam Ranh Bay.

- At 1245 on 28 August 1967, PCF 82 ran aground on a sand and coral reef while investigating the source of tracer fire on the beach, 38 miles south of Nha Trang. Following a series of unsuccessful attempts by PCF 47 and an LCM from Cam Ranh Bay to free the Swift boat, a commercial tug, belonging to Alaskan Barge and Transport, the NEZ PERCE, pulled PCF 82 off the reef at 0335 on 30th. PCF 82 was then towed to Cam Ranh Bay for repairs to its struts, shafts and screws.

- On 11 September 1966, PCF 42 observed two US Air Force F-4 jets collide in mid-air at night off the Cam Ranh AFB. PCF 42 immediately proceeded to the scene and commenced a search and rescue operation. PCF 82 also proceeded to the scene. Various parts of aircraft, classified maps and flight information, helmet, and remains of human bodies were recovered.

- On 9 November 1968 boat transferred to An Thoi

- On 20 November 1968, PCF 43 and PCF 82 provided emergency NGFS for Song Ong Doc Regional Force troops, sweeping Viet Cong positions near Area 9C. PCF 5, PCF 43 and PCF 82 made first entry into the Bay Hap river and transited to the remote outpost at Cai Nuoc village, killing 11 Viet Cong during the transit. The outpost was in danger of falling into the hands of the Viet Cong and had but a small supply of ammunition left. After supplying the outpost with needed ammunition, the PCFs exited the river, taking targets of opportunity under fire. The boats came under intense enemy fire while exiting, resulting in minor damage to all PCFs and 1 OinC wounded. The PCFs returned fire, killing an estimated 11 Viet Cong and destroying or damaging numerous sampans, structures and bunkers.

- On 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 9 December 1968, PCF 82 transferred from An Thoi to Cam Ranh Bay.

- At 0700 on 10 May 1969, Coastal Group 26 inserted an ambush team just north of Ap My Hoi. At 0830, PCF 88 on normal MARKET TIME patrol received an urgent request from Coastal Group 26 for gunfire support and a dustoff aircraft to MEDEVAC two wounded, who were pinned down by heavy enemy fire. PCF 88 arrived on the scene at 0845 and after calling for a dustoff aircraft immediately began gunfire support. PCF 42 arrived on the scene 10 minutes later and provided additional cover fire. Air cover and spotter planes were called from Phan Rang to join the battle and drop smoke flares to mark friendly and enemy positions. Enemy fire was sufficiently suppressed to allow Coastal Group 26 elements to begin withdrawing. PCF 36, patrolling area 4F, was called in to join the fight. By 0930 PCF 42 and Yabuta junks began taking Coastal Group 26 elements aboard as they were out of ammunition and unable to defend themselves while being taken under enemy fire from the tree line beyond the beach. PCF 42 again supplied cover fire while Coastal Group 27 began inserting troops just to the north to assist in evacuating troops. At 0930 Coastal Group 27 troops came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire from dug in positions as PCF 36 arrived on scene and immediately began suppression fire. PCF 36's aggressive attack was so continuous and accurate it halted all enemy fire; this was credited as a significant factor in reducing friendly casualties. Throughout the day PCF 36 organized and coordinated simultaneous strikes by five PCFs in column formation along the kill zone, attacking and then withdrawing to allow air strikes between attacks. At 1700 Coastal Group 26 concluded the mission and all Coastal Group 26 and 27 troops were withdrawn. PCF 36 ordered all PCFs to normal MARKET TIME patrols leaving PCF 82 and PCF 42 on station to provide continuous H & I fire throughout the night.
  From 0830 to 1700 the PCFs provided uninterrupted coordinated attacks utilizing continuous arms resupply by PCFs from Cam Ranh Bay. Coordination with strike aircraft was outstanding resulting in continuous heavy bombardment for the entire eight and one-half hour operation. The PCFs expended 13,559 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition and 544 rounds of 81mm mortars. There were two Vietnamese killed and four wounded while six enemy were killed (body count). Due to complete and overwhelming bombardment of the entire area, enemy casualties were probably far greater than actually counted.

- During a PSYOPS patrol on the western Cua Lon river, 19 November 1969, PCF 82 had two (2) B-40 rockets fired at it, the first hit the water just off the port side, resulting in shrapnel wounds to the OinC and the gunnersmate. The second B-40 skipped off the water and then hit the port bow just above the waterline, causing heavy interior boat damage because of the fires started. An Army or Marine rider was also injured, burns to his hands, when the after .50 caliber machinegun came loose and he helped hold it in place on the after mount, while the gunner fired, during the boats exit from the ambush scene.

- PCF 83 never saw service with the US Navy in Vietnam.

- PCF 84 never saw service with the US Navy in Vietnam.

- PCF 85 never saw service with the US Navy in Vietnam.

- PCF 86 never saw service with the US Navy in Vietnam.

- PCFs 87, 88 and 89 were delivered to Qui Nhon, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Comstock LSD 19 on 9 September 1966.

- At 1200H on 25 October 1966, while on patrol in Market Time area 3I, 50 miles southwest of Qui Nhon, Alvin Lee Levan, GMGSN, on board PCF 87, suffered an apparent seizure and fell overboard. His body remained afloat for only ten (10) seconds and then disappeared. His body was never recovered in spite of an intensive air/sea search of the area.

- On 2 July 1969, PCF 87 suffered an 81mm mortar accident causing the lose of two (2) personnel and permanent injury to one (1) additional person. The preliminary investigation revealed the possibility that the bore riding safety pin was missing from the XM717 fuse. Subsequent action was taken to remove all rounds, from PCF inventories, that utilized a bore riding safety pin and to use only the M524A5 fuse.

- On 12 November 1970, PCFs 45, 87, 97 and 692 entered the southern mouth of the Rach Eo Lon and inserted KCS troops. The PCFs fired H&I at suspected enemy positions. At least two (2) tons of ammo was captured and destroyed. PCFs 692 and 45 were taken under fire with B-40 and small arms. Black Ponies were scrambled to assist. KCS captured one B-40 shoulder launcher. PCF 87 was ambushed while proceeding out of the Eo Lon canal, 12 November 1970. One (1) B-40 rocket hit the after conning station killing two (2) KCS troops and wounding two (2) US sailors (one was medevaced to the 23rd BVAC hospital), one (1) VNN crewmember (also medevaced) and one (1) KCS.

- This was the last incident, of the Vietnam conflict, where a US Navy swift boat was damaged or a crewman was injured.

- PCFs 87, 88 and 89 were delivered to Qui Nhon, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Comstock LSD 19 on 9 September 1966.

- Carl Raymond Goodfellow, EN2, died during a sapper attack on the Qui Nhon swift base 12/22-23/67. He was a crewmember of PCF 88.  After Action Report

- On 18 October 1968, PCF 88 transferred from Qui Nhon to An Thoi.

- On 3 December 1968, PCF 10, PCF 43, PCF 88 and PCF 93 raided Viet Cong positions deep into the Cai Lon river and destroyed 15 structures, 17 sampans, 9 junks and killed 1 Viet Cong. The boats encountered hostile fire on 3 occasions when exiting the river, inflicting minor damage to PCF 10 and PCF 43.

- On the morning of 6 December 1968, PCF 36 and PCF 88 were patrolling up the Rach Giang Thann when they were ambushed seven miles northeast of Ha Tien. The enemy fired on the two patrol craft from both banks of the river with small arms, 57mm recoilless rifles and B-40 rockets. Machine-gun, small arms and grenade fire from the Swift boats partially suppressed the hostile fire as they cleared the ambush area. The craft beached at Tra Pho, a short distance upriver, to care for the nine crewman wounded (three seriously). In addition, one crewman was killed in the action and one VNN lost overboard and another wounded. No B-40 or recoilless rifle rounds scored direct hits, however, both craft were damaged by numerous small arms hits. During the return downriver through the ambush area, cover was provided by Task Force 116 light helicopter fire teams that saturated the enemy positions with rockets and machine gun fire. Due to the dense cover along both banks the enemy was unseen throughout the engagement and enemy losses were unknown.

- On 26 December 1968, PCF 88 accomplished more damage with one round of ILLUMINATION than can ever be imagined.  After Action Report

- At 0700 on 10 May 1969, Coastal Group 26 inserted an ambush team just north of Ap My Hoi. At 0830, PCF 88 on normal MARKET TIME patrol received an urgent request from Coastal Group 26 for gunfire support and a dustoff aircraft to MEDEVAC two wounded, who were pinned down by heavy enemy fire. PCF 88 arrived on the scene at 0845 and after calling for a dustoff aircraft immediately began gunfire support. PCF 42 arrived on the scene 10 minutes later and provided additional cover fire. Air cover and spotter planes were called from Phan Rang to join the battle and drop smoke flares to mark friendly and enemy positions. Enemy fire was sufficiently suppressed to allow Coastal Group 26 elements to begin withdrawing. PCF 36, patrolling area 4F, was called in to join the fight. By 0930 PCF 42 and Yabuta junks began taking Coastal Group 26 elements aboard as they were out of ammunition and unable to defend themselves while being taken under enemy fire from the tree line beyond the beach. PCF 42 again supplied cover fire while Coastal Group 27 began inserting troops just to the north to assist in evacuating troops. At 0930 Coastal Group 27 troops came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire from dug in positions as PCF 36 arrived on scene and immediately began suppression fire. PCF 36's aggressive attack was so continuous and accurate it halted all enemy fire; this was credited as a significant factor in reducing friendly casualties. Throughout the day PCF 36 organized and coordinated simultaneous strikes by five PCFs in column formation along the kill zone, attacking and then withdrawing to allow air strikes between attacks. At 1700 Coastal Group 26 concluded the mission and all Coastal Group 26 and 27 troops were withdrawn. PCF 36 ordered all PCFs to normal MARKET TIME patrols leaving PCF 82 and PCF 42 on station to provide continuous H&I fire throughout the night.
  From 0830 to 1700 the PCFs provided uninterrupted coordinated attacks utilizing continuous arms resupply by PCFs from Cam Ranh Bay. Coordination with strike aircraft was outstanding resulting in continuous heavy bombardment for the entire eight and one-half hour operation. The PCFs expended 13,559 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition and 544 rounds of 81mm mortars. There were two Vietnamese killed and four wounded while six enemy were killed (body count). Due to complete and overwhelming bombardment of the entire area, enemy casualties were probably far greater than actually counted.

- PCFs 87, 88 and 89 were delivered to Qui Nhon, from Subic Bay, PI, onboard the USS Comstock LSD 19 on 9 September 1966.

- Between 0300 and 0400 on the morning of 5 June 1968, PCF 89 on patrol about 10 miles south of Qui Nhon observed a sampan moving from fishing boat to fishing boat. The suspicious sampan was boarded and searched revealing that the two occupants had a large sum of money in their possession. The sampan contained only a few small fish and no nets. The suspects and sampan were turned over to the Qui Nhon military police as probable Viet Cong tax collectors.

- Three (3) personnel were lost and one (1) wounded, when the 81mm mortar exploded, after an accidental double loading on 8 November 1968.

- While escorting the USS Brule AKL 28, on 14 July 1970, PCFs 22, 89, 96 and VNN PCF 3816 in company with USS Canon PG 90, came under heavy B-40 rocket and automatic weapons fire. The Canon was hit twice, by rocket fire, in the engine room, causing a loss of maneuverability in the kill zone. PCF 96 and VNN PCF 3816 beached in the ambush area, and began placing heavy suppressive fire out to cover the Canon. The VNN PCF 3816 was hit in the pilothouse with B-40 rockets three (3) times, wounding five (5) VNN personnel. Biet Hai troops were inserted by PCF 96, to secure the area.

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