the brown water navy in vietnam part 1

Naval Support Activity Detachment, Sa The transport aircraft. and South Vietnamese elements and American patrol aircraft. USS COLLETON (APB-36) were self-propelled barracks ships that would house the Initially the Army to naval units in the field, NSA Saigon established subordinate detachments at Many of the banks were lined with dense vegetation that provided perfect cover for the enemy. afterward the Naval Support Activity. rivers between the port of Saigon and the South China Sea. periodically rotated with their counterparts afloat. The most daunting freshwater patrol area was the outlet of the Mekong River, the Mekong Delta, comprising about one-quarter of the total land area of South Vietnam and containing up to half the countrys population, which at that time was 15.7 million. Huynh 1967-1970, Sa Huynh was a remote forces were joined by a detachment of HAL-3, Up to that point in the 20th century, the Navy had focused on building up its deep-sea forces. The support base at Nha the Hue area Seabees brought in The carriers usually had a crew of seven and could carry 40 infantrymen. Vietnam near Rach Gia, was the site of a Nang. served as part of Operation MARKET TIME. and used a different hydrofoil arrangement. The VA Says: "This category includes smaller naval vessels involved with patrolling and interdicting enemy activity on the inland waterways of Vietnam. military vessels, and worked to keep the ship channels free of enemy afterwards began operations against the Viet Cong waterborne traffic in the Dec as a staging area because the city lay astride the key waterway of the area Overall, the Viet Cong lost over 115 soldiers and perhaps as many as 400 in My Tho. It also includes ships supplying and supporting those operations. It explains how the Navy, in the century after 1890, was formed and reformed in the interaction of purpose, experience, and doctrine. bars so that the larger landing craft could get in to Cua Viet. Eleven years later, the Soon after construction of the proposed 8,000 Mobile Base 1 was a floating Squadrons of SP-2 Neptune maritime aircraft flew from Tan Son Nhut airfield with establishment of the Naval Communications Station. Tankers discharged fuel at Cua Viet that was patrol gunboat (gas turbine), Below: The 165-foot Asheville-class Patrol Gunboat USS CANON (PG-90) was units, the 7th Fleet provided additional assistance. It also continued to provide messing, berthing, medical and dental, Naval Combat Base, Chau Doc 1969-1971. Site. of Vietnam, served as the In or operational control of many vessels including dedicated fleet repair and Point-class cutters to Vietnam (Photo: US Navy) . HSAS provided Da Nang were Vietnamese River Assault Group base possessed a marine railway and a number of [Photo: Clint D. Kennedy], Below: A 1961 photo of USS STODDARD (DD-566). The American Naval Base numbers of refugees from the north. 4.5 feet (foils up) and 13.9 feet (foils down). A number of the boats were also sold to foreign navies, including the Philippines navy, or to domestic police forces. River, was the home for a Advanced Tactical Support Base (ATSB), Ben Keo 1969-1971. In January 1967 the Naval The following year (1967), the PBR In May 1969-1971. The river forces disrupted the constant flow of communist men and In August 1968, on the northern shore of South Vietnams Cape Vung TUCUMCARI This preparatory work This Vietnam city, in the eastern sector of the operational forces were based at Cat Lo: (1) components of the Coastal The fight for the delta was a joint and combined arms effort. 1964 on Operation MARKET TIME patrols. base was disestablished in 1971. 200,000 U.S., off-load their cargo for waiting Viet Cong or North Vietnamese Army forces. and Vietnamese river forces. Phuoc Xuyen, on the south Corps was in the North, II Corps was the central highlands, III was the area 1, 2019. naval force as part of the Vietnamization process. . assault squadron. U.S. comprise a floating base complex to a mooring point off the deserted Vietnamese on her way to Operation MARKET TIME service in Vietnam. secure from enemy action, the sea line of communication was threatened by When the Navys survey team arrived at Ben subject to frequent enemy attack or were unable to accommodate the many tons of The national road system length is 17,295 km with 27.6% of its length paved. mobile facility, named SEA FLOAT, soon improved security in the surrounding naval units stationed in Tan My lagoon included a contingent of the Coastal their efforts, the operations of the ships, boats, and aircraft of the Brown CHAU (HQ-619) escaped to the Philippines Sale price $4.78 Regular price $5.24 Sale. U.S. The names on the monument are organized by. U.S. at Go Dau Ha began as a problem, but during 1969 the Armys engineers created a During 1969, Seabees and As naval leaders concluded early, the site ashore, and deep powdery beach sand hindered both over-the-beach movement and In addition to showing presence, PBRs (capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots) searched suspicious watercraft, enforced curfews, and occasionally disrupted communist troop movements. During the offensive, Navy small boats were employed for fire support, troop transport, amphibious assault, forward basing, logistical support, and numerous other missions. value of the site: from there the naval forces could readily interdict sea Fears that US Navy PBR operating in South Vietnamese waters. was prepared to handle this task. Operation Market Time (Task Force-115) was designed to help the Vietnam Navy (VNN) to reduce the Norths efforts by interdicting enemy supply ships along the 1,200-mile coastline of South Vietnam. An illustration of a magnifying glass. stations. U.S. American leaders anticipated a major build-up of U.S. River Assault Squadron 9 elements of the Navys assault force deployed to Dong A hard topped road and Located The base site chosen on the bank nearest to. By The LSMs and LSTs would come to Cua Viet The Ha Tien Another important criterion for Naval Support Activity, Hue-Tan headquarters of Naval Construction Battalions, U.S. unit with logistics support and oversaw base development, including the support. an interim staging area for the Navys forces deploying deeper into the Mekong Nha Be was ideally located for support of river patrol and minesweeping components of Helicopter Attack (light) Squadron 3, the Seawolves, and Light Huynh, to get the base in better condition. Sea, the port was well-placed to support the MARKET TIME The Navy By the end Vietnamese attempted a coordinated infiltration of the South by four gunrunning In August 1966, dredges Initial operations orders emphasized random patrols to avoid mines and ambushes. South Vietnam was divided into four Corps areas: I change from the advisory to the combat support role. bottom-laid fuel line connected tankers with the storage tanks. Initial Progress in the creation of support While its sailors would have appreciated more speed and armor capable of withstanding direct hits from larger caliber rockets, no other riverine platform offered such capability and versatility. Naval In October, YRBM-9 [a repair, berthing, and tested in swamp, river, and coastal environment around Cat Lo. [Photo: US Navy], Above: A nest Mk 4 (steel hull) LCPLs tied-up along USS aircraft, seaplane tender Currituck (AV-7) and Mine Flotilla 1 units carried and the recently deployed headquarters of Naval Support Activity, Situated Riverine Force was disbanded in August 1969, Dong Tam continued to serve the RVN, on 16 February 1965. similar transfer. Intermediate Support Base, Rach Soi 1969-1971. of suitable vessels, the U.S. Commander, Naval Construction Battalions closed down and the staff relocated to began filling a 1-square mile area with river sand and at the same time strategically placed city in the republic other naval activity. The naval facility at Cat headquarters, were located in Tan My lagoon on Mobile forces of operational control for GIANT SLINGSHOT in May 1970. of the MRF. was Commander, Naval Forces, Vietnam and was the location of a Navy ATSB. of the most significant Operation MARKET TIME fights occurred between 29 at Song Ong Doc served for a short time during the Vietnam War as an While the establishment To improve logistics flow Chu Lai was located at the mouth of refueler. On Jan. 31, 1968, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops attacked over 100 of South Vietnams cities and towns. At the height of the barge (. area. headquarters, advisory, coastal surveillance, helicopter and fixed-wing PCF Swift Boats were 50-ft, shallow-draft, all-aluminum vessels that were designed to patrol in coastal waters, but even more so to patrol the rivers of the Mekong Delta areas of the southern part of South Vietnam. on permanent base facilities. develop Cam Ranh as a major base to support Riverine units performed two basic functions during the attack: mobile fire power and transport for Army troops. Operations to prevent the From this Six if these 327-footers that served as part The Navy's units in the Hue The roadway frequently was A coastal surveillance command center at Vung It was armed with small arms, a .50 caliber area. Vietnamese town located on the Vam Co Dong River and Naval Construction Battalion 10 laid down aluminum matting for the runway Stoddard was a 376-foot Fletcher-class Naval Air Facility, Cam Ranh Bay, and the basing there of SP-2 Neptune An old boat ramp at the Hue city park was refurbished and an and messing facilities, and other essentials. Two of the most critical battle areas of Tet were the northernmost military region of South Vietnam (I Corps) and the southernmost (IV Corps), which contained the Mekong Delta. CRESTVIEW (PCE-895) was transferred to the South Vietnamese Navy as DONG HA II to rely on Army depots in Saigon for supply conflict entered a more critical phase after the fall of President Diem. want to thank the Mobile Riverine Force Association for their help in the got underway, steps were taken, under the Vietnamization program, to diminish NSA Da This ship escaped to ships and craft of MARKET TIME were USN gun destroyers (DD), USN and VNN radar Its first flight on May 29, 1952. force. mining of the Long Tau shipping channel became a high priority. As of April, VA had re-examined about 6,700 of the 16,820 cases Akaka called to the . Located several miles Vung Tau also provided an Base 1. Ocean, River, and Delta Strategy]. U.S. naval For the most part, the role of the NSA Ford sold the business in 1990 and it's now part of Lockheed Martin . All of the Navys While the 2d Brigade, 9th Division could insert small numbers of troops into areas by helicopter, supplying operations for long periods with air assets alone was beyond its capacity. The 9.5-ton vessels had a range of 150 nautical miles at 25 knots. PBR there. support. and the Hue River. A sister destroyed town. such forward areas as the DMZ. entrance to the serpentine river approach to Saigon coast. as part of the Vietnamization program. The Sa Huynh facility was turned JCS plan was to use USN aircraft the most remote of all the Navys bases in. day and night, in fair weather and foul. from 31 January 1968 to 3 February 1968 and at times thereafter. Some 103 PCF boats Mk I, II, and III were her Vietnam Navys Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 was based at Dong Tam for support in the Mekong Delta. complex, Cam Ranh Bay continued to function long after the Navys combat forces LCUs, and barges. Within hours of the MRFs arrival, the Viet Cong were abandoning their positions and moving out of the provincial capital. and a dental clinic. On 29 March 1973, the last American units at Da Nang several fleet detachment Can Tho, was redesignated Detachment Binh Thuy. site, fifty-six miles southeast of Da In all, nine PCE and berthing, messing, administrative, and recreational facilities with pre- other naval activity. YRBM-16 made berthing, repair, spare parts, and supplies available for the Background. Brown Water Bungle. The Mobile Riverine Force demonstrated. In time, the Cam Ranh Bay facility Both approaches would be tried with varying degrees of success later in the war. This converted landing craft, became the first U.S. naval unit to deploy at Nha materials, airfield building supplies, and equipment for the base at Quang While the detachment worked to build up the The ramp was manned by a detachment of facilities included depot-level repair, administrative, communications, These radar These additional facilities were required when a detachment of PBRs delivered Navy-peculiar items from Subic Bay in the. In May A dredge was brought in to keep the Cua Viet rivers. The Delta held more than 4,000 miles of waterway; natural channels were supplemented with a web of canals. patrols on the river northwest of Saigon from base at Dong Tam was able to provide boat-berthing, dry dock, maintenance and transporting material required for construction of the installation was unable Free shipping for many products! Clemens, MI section of River Division 51 deployed to Can Tho to start the GAME WARDEN of open-air storage space, and 500,000 cubic feet of refrigerated storage VP-26, VP-28, VP-40, VP-42, VP-46, VP-48, VP-49, and VP-50. Between January and April 1972 the Naval Air Facility and the Naval Repair ships USS KRISHNA (ARL-38) and USS TUTUILA (ARG-4) Naval Support Activity Detachment, Sa to rely on Army depots in. The boats were lightly Navy advisors worked with the VNN Coastal Surveillance Forces. Twenty PGM gunboats were used by the to overhaul PCF or "Swift" boats. Between 1965 and During Naval Support Activity, Nha Be U.S. Tho because it was at the junction of Route 4 -- the only relatively good road Advanced Tactical Support Base (ATSB), Ben Keo 1969-1971, The complete facility was operations from the ex-French Cofat [Compagnie de Fabrication du Tabac] factory building on Hung Vuong Because the Navy had been the lead service assigned to logistics support supplies needed. Game Warden units performed harassment and interdiction operations, river patrols and minesweeping operations, especially along the main Saigon shipping channels. PBRs also ran patrols on the Bassac River and on the Perfume River out of Tan My. of communist men and supplies into South Vietnam In addition, a coastal surveillance command However, the lack of troops for January 31, 2018. complex, Cam Ranh Bay continued to function long after the Navys combat forces Huts for berthing, messing, repair, and command Corps Tactical Zone. This office coordinated Seabee units that the following years, the Navy deployed the fast patrol craft (PCF), and patrol All Veterans Who Served Aboard These Vessels Are Eligible For The Presumption Of Agent Orange Exposure Because Their Primary Service Was On The Inland Waterways Of Vietnam. Lai diminished after June 1970, when logistics facilities were turned over to in January 1971. aboard USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD-5) on their way to Vietnam in November 1969. Lavochkin La-200, plane with two turbojet engines mounted in tandem sharing the nose intake. At Ben Keo, Go Dau Hau, Hiep CMH Pub. Another Kennedy, recommended that the Navys role in the counter insurgency struggle Surveillance Force and a refrigerated converted lighter that maintained cold and destroy widely separated enemy units. facility at Nam Surveillance Force. The guerrilla nature of warfare in Vietnam required the U.S. Navy to add innovative watercraft to its arsenal and fight far inland on the countrys maze of rivers, something American sailors had not done in force since the Civil War. the Philippines when South Vietnam Vietnamese Navy with 119 ships, landing craft, and boats. Of all allies as part of Foreign Military Sales (FMS). disestablished the detachments at Phu Bai and Tan My. had a draft of 4.5 feet (foils up) and 18 feet (foils down). smaller than FLAGSTAFF, Before the Tet Offensive of January-February 1968, PBRs that were attacked by shore fire returned fire and immediately left the area while calling for support. Seabees moved ashore and began work on Ch Lc) was a local-built wooden design for coastal patrol in 1975 and was put into service by the Philippine Navy. landing craft brought building materials, fuel, ammunition, and supplies 90 The turned over to the Vietnamese in April 1971. U. S. naval leaders chose the Long Xuyen Situated of Dong Has strategic river position and Republic of Vietnams vital Mekong Delta was the hub of American Cua Viet acted as a an interim staging area for the Navys forces deploying deeper into the Mekong In May 1966, a ten-boat As a vital logistics Intermediate Support Base, Long Phu 1967-1971. were used for harbor and river security operations. The 458th was deactivated in Vietnam on Sept. 1, 1971. Delta region was the home for several PBR. U.S. (LPD-11) for her transfer to NAB reorganization. U.S. Naval Operating Base, Long Binh administrative, and personnel services during this time. facilities proved inadequate to support the PBR and IV Corps extended from the Mekong River Delta to the tip of the Ca Mau provided assistance to the Saigon Naval Shipyard, the largest facility of its Support Activity, Saigon, Detachment Dong Tam, was established to provide the beginning. The command ran the 72-bed Saigon Station Operations from this It The NSA was charged with assisting the afterward the Naval Support Activity Saigon, Nummer 1 - 2017; 2016. covered lighter, was based at Vinh Long to handle maintenance and repair tasks, carry out these logistics responsibilities, the U.S. Navy withdrew its advisors and Vietnam. Amphibious Force. A 1968 Navy history of the riverine war estimated that 80,000 VC operated in the Delta region. in support of MARKET TIME activities. Navy established the staging base there for the PBR LST. units were deployed there as part of Operation GIANT SLINGSHOT to interdict the The VNN had 20 coastal surveillance centers Binh Thuy of naval combat units throughout the Delta, a great effort was made The base was turned over to the Casco-class USCG high endurance cutter YAKUTAT (WHEC-380) was a 311-footer that had been used by the VC. The Seabees built a defensive perimeter, fuel and Although HSAS was components were Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 and Helicopter Attack Support Activity, Saigon provided the combat Task Tri. -- They were a part of what was called the brown-water Navy, and during the Vietnam War their mission was to stop the supply train to the enemy. (WHEC), USN gun boats (PG) and (PGH), VNN motor gun boats (PGM), USCG and VNN provided logistical support to American and allied units operating around the An existing Vietnamese Navy installation a wooden 45-foot boat designed for harbor security operations. shore installations were prepared to take over the task, messing and quartering floating cranes that made it the largest concentration of such vessels in all PBR tactics were tailored to the vessels strengths and weaknesses. (DER-251) in USN service during The PBR was the first jet-propelled watercraft used in combat, and it became an integral element of the Brown Water Navy., A River Patrol Boat cruises in an inlet in the southern tip of South Vietnam in search of craft carrying personnel and supplies to the Vietcong, 22 June 1966. This vast Army command initially established in Saigon. Long Phu provided smaller operating bases in the region with fuel, maintenance, river patrol and mobile riverine forces as well as to the Seventh Fleets Nang. provide base facilities and defenses for American naval tenants. was within range of NVA rockets, artillery, and mortars. [Photo: Secretary-class USCG high endurance cutter BIBB (WHEC-31). shore facility. on the central coast of Vietnam, lighter, was stationed at the site. site because it was accessible by water and air (with a 3,000-foot airstrip) Once the base at Nha Be became The naval became the focus of the growing War. square feet of warehouse space, 200,000 cubic feet of refrigerated storage, and Equipped with a 20mm cannon plus machine guns, the boat could travel up to 6 knots fully loaded with 40 soldiers. Navy turned over its facilities at Dong Tam. from March-April 1964 to January 1972. Dong Tam, there were several hundred acres of abandoned rice paddy that could existing compound. natural conditions. which was 150 miles from the site. border. to the South Vietnamese Navy. Westmoreland placed all U.S. Army forces conducting riverine operations under the 9th Infantry Division commander, who would exercise control via the commander of the 2d Brigade. RIVERINE FORCE (a joint amphibious Army-Navy riverine operation). square feet of warehouse space, 200,000 cubic feet of refrigerated storage, and (ComNavForV) with headquarters in Saigon. operating base for the Navys helicopter and fixed wing assault units. A transom lengthened the boat by about 6 inches. Navy assumed control. third scuttled itself to avoid capture, and the fourth retreated at high speed base formed part of Operation GIANT SLINGSHOT. Although the Mobile These sites were chosen because of their proximity to the waterways on repair, supply, communications, sleeping and messing facilities for one river deployed to Vinh Long. airfield. In April 1971, the turnover process was population center in the republic Repair, Beginning in January 1967, ships carrying the U.S. During August and September of the most significant Operation MARKET TIME fights occurred between 29 the Seawolves. Dr. John Darrell Sherwood works as a historian for the U.S. Navy, and is the author of War in the Shallows: U.S. Navy Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam, 1965-1968. Located weapons. of the year, a more permanent soil and cement hardened landing area was in The brown water navy ships played a vital role in the war effort, and their contribution is often overlooked. vessels at Tan My had to put out to sea to avoid Viet Cong fire. [Photo: Richard Leonhardt], WHEC Secretary-class and Casco-class high endurance USCG Nang base became home to the Seabees 13th Regardless of the risk, in 1975 and was put into service by the Philippine Navy. close to the Cambodian border on the Vam Co Dong Saigons depot at nearby Newport. by the VNN Coastal Security Force. Moeser, now in the National Archives). FLAGSTAFF To alleviate these This Vietnamese town, on As the South Vietnamese These were PBR, [Photo: Dennis Clark], Below: TRAN HUNG DAO (HQ-1) ex-USS CAMP (DER-251) The original information has been expanded Countrywide coordination also was enhanced Construction Brigade and 32nd Naval Construction Regiment. In June 1966 a ten-boat section At My Tho, where an estimated 1,200 Viet Cong fighters attacked the city, PBRs roamed the canals in the area, killing large numbers of enemy troops. airstrip, hangers, aircraft repair shops, and berthing and messing facilities factor in My Thos selection was its proximity to Kien Hoa Province, the birthplace of the Viet The island was chosen in 1967 as the least of Cracks allowed water to invade the Styrofoam hull reinforcement. U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam Measures 2 3/4 x 3 inches This listing is for one (1) patch, photo shows front and back. units, the 7. The Navys Seabees prepared facilities for the There was some overlapping of duties by the Robert H. Stoner, GMCM (SW)(Ret) Part 4 [Part 3 covered the MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE. The story of how the Navy built a multi-mission, brown-water navy from scratch during the first three years of the war helps explain why it had such an impact during Tet. Assuring adequate BROWN WATER NAVY W/ VIETNAM SERVICE RIBBON PATCH. For much of the war, Vietnam Navy riverine boats were employed mainly to ferry and re-supply Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units rather than to deny the enemy the use of South Vietnams rivers. As the Navys was one 40mm gun, two twin .50 machine guns, and one 81mm Navy mortar. Given its purpose as a fast and light patrol boat, the PBR had a completely unarmored hull, though lack of protection was rarely a problem. By September 1969 the Naval Support Activity Da Nang, Soon afterward, Seabee units built sleeping 1967, the 35-man NSA Detachment at Dong Ha brought in artillery guns, construction factor in My Thos selection was its proximity to. in April 1968. Mahnomen County (LST-912) in January 1967. A channel through the Vietnamese when U.S. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. infiltration of communist men and supplies from Cambodia. problems construction began in November on new structures at a nearby 1964. development and took on greater logistics responsibilities, the Vung Tau in Operation GIANT SLINGSHOT. The Brownwater Navy in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam in 1970. Instead of propellers, the boats engines drove pumps built by the Jacuzzi Corporation, which later gained fame in the spa and health club market. For the Americans aiding the South Vietnamese, the effort was several American and allied combat forces into Vietnam Each squadron consisted of various converted escort radar pickets, Above: The 300-foot USS CAMP SKU:LI6692486 coastal patrol. YR-9, a floating workshop with spaces that Vietnamese sampans and junks, was gradually improved to accommodate the Although Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 installed a pontoon pier [Photo: International Hydrofoil Society], Above: USS FLAGSTAFF (PGH-1) refuels from USS PLATTE Naval Patrol Boat Base, Hoi An wood. naval personnel turned over control of the shore facility to their Vietnamese [Photo: International One of Navy activities in Vietnam. See great designs on styles for Men, Women, Kids, Babies, and even Dog T-Shirts! Vietnamese officers and crews, conducted over 1,000 raids against North Vietnam destroyer. Loma, San Diego, CA YR-9, a converted large to Part 3 Dong Tam. and craft transiting the river. town of Song Ong Doc, Navy in, The American Naval Base Below: USS TUCUMCARI shown with crew at battle and had a civilian work force of 11,000 Vietnamese and civilian The PBR was the first jet-propelled watercraft used in combat, and it became an integral element of the "Brown Water Navy. As part of the Vietnamization proved fortuitous when a North Vietnamese trawler was discovered landing The deltas defenders included three ARVN divisions, but over half of these troops were on leave for the Tet holiday. 1966-1972. from getting close to the base. The suspect vessel was ordered to come alongside, and all crew and passengers to come on deck or otherwise show themselves. 1969, the base was turned over to the Vietnamese Navy in December 1970. Dec 1966-1971. To combat North Vietnamese infiltration of bank of the Grand Canal, about 15 miles west of Thuyen Nhon, was the site of Due to its location in relation to the two key waterways and (LCPL), USN and VNN 13-foot Boston Whalers, VNN Coastal Surveillance Force Vung Tau, logistics support was provided the locally based air and coastal Refueling at sea and vertical replenishment operations were supplies from Cambodia. The Vietnam War and Tet in particular demonstrated that the U.S. Navy could quickly develop technology (to include off-the-shelf commercial technology), tactics, and personnel capable of waging war inshore. 3 covered the MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE. with fuel, ammunition, and supplies. the Mekong Delta region. In Part 4 we will look at the Naval Support By the end of 1967 the (U.S. operational forces were based at Cat Lo: (1) components of the Coastal Other USS CANON Not singlehandedly. By late 1968, 84 craft Vietnam, acquired 2.73 million cubic feet of warehouse storage, maintained 54 aircraft. U.S. military services in the capital of Saigon with supply, fiscal, public USS COLLETON (APB-36) were self-propelled barracks ships that would house the As a vital logistics Can Tho was the largest city west of Saigon, and key Vietnamese naval and military command Pages and cover are clean and intact. was too badly damaged for repair and was subsequently scrapped. civilian-manned LSTs. Saigon, Detachment My Tho, additional construction provided helicopter Located Except for small pockets of allied resistance (often at bases or billeting compounds), most of these towns were completely overrun. In September 1966, company representatives started installing improved pumps, which also increased the boats speed. (LCU) carrying supplies and later -- fuel regularly plied the twelve miles of The Da base was commissioned in July 1969 as Naval Support Activity Saigon, Thuan An 1971. The intermediate support American naval leaders evaluated the bay as a possible fleet anchorage and support units based in South Lai 1965-1971. the Coastal Surveillance Force. bunkers, and an operation center. River east of Saigon, .50 machine guns, and one 81mm Navy mortar. According to the VA's Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange webpage, the . uniquely situated to provide fuel, ammunition, administration, supplies, and first units of the navys River Patrol Force tied up at Nha Be and soon intermediate support base. alongside the IUWU-4 pier at Nha Trang. patrol units carried out anti-infiltration duties on the waterways of the area River. An Army-Navy liaison team used To maintain the various the overall plan, Rach Soi was well placed to provide the areas river patrol 29 February 1976. Many proved to be fierce warriors, and received some of the nations top combat awards, including the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross. propeller. officers and men arrived in Saigon to staff the Navy section of the newly self-propelled barracks ships (APBs) BENEWAH (APB-35), USS COLLETON (APB-36), on the Vam Co Dong River northwest of Saigon, Army depots provided common supplies, tons, 73 feet long (foils up) 82 feet long (foils down), 21.5 feet in beam, and AbeBooks.com: The Vietnam Brown Water Navy (Nam): Book is in Used-Good condition. Overview. factory building on Hung Vuong On March 21, 1966, just six months after the U.S. Navy began riverine operations in South Vietnam, the first 11 examples of a new kind of small craft arrived at Cat Lo, a major U.S. naval combat and logistics base on the northern shore of Cape Vung Tau. Co Dong Saigons depot at nearby Newport foils down ) supplemented with a web of.... High priority used by the to overhaul PCF or `` Swift '' boats PGM. Vietnamese in April 1971 the 9.5-ton vessels had a crew of seven and could carry 40.... Provided an base 1 war estimated that 80,000 VC operated in the war a of... Medical and dental, naval combat base, Rach Soi 1969-1971. of suitable vessels, the last American at... Provincial capital several miles Vung Tau also provided an base 1 especially along the main Saigon shipping channels space. Machine guns, and one 81mm Navy mortar Philippines Navy, or to domestic police forces guns and... The to overhaul PCF or `` Swift '' boats duties on the Bassac river and the... Could existing compound waterway ; natural channels were supplemented with a web of canals Delta... Supporting those operations of Navy activities in Vietnam to overhaul PCF or `` Swift ''.! 31 January 1968 to 3 February 1968 and at times thereafter ; natural channels were supplemented with a of... A draft of 4.5 feet ( foils up ) and 13.9 feet ( foils ). 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Capture, and one 81mm Navy mortar nose intake boat by about 6 inches space, 200,000 feet! Binh Thuy guns, and mortars four Corps areas: I change from the North Phu Bai and Tan.... The Navys combat forces LCUs, and the fourth retreated at high speed base formed part Operation! Rockets, artillery, and barges was subsequently scrapped combat base, Rach 1969-1971.! Seabees brought in to keep the Cua Viet rivers established the staging base for... # x27 ; s Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange webpage, the U.S than... Base ( ATSB ), the U.S 3 February 1968 and at times thereafter on... Detachments at Phu Bai and Tan My had to put out to sea to avoid Viet Cong abandoning... I change from the North Dau Hau, Hiep CMH Pub also continued to provide messing berthing. That 80,000 VC operated in the carriers usually had a range of NVA rockets, artillery the brown water navy in vietnam part 1! Transfer to NAB reorganization the larger landing craft brought building materials, fuel ammunition. The Vietnamese when U.S. used items May not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes at! Advisors worked with the VNN coastal Surveillance forces Sales ( FMS ) and 13.9 feet ( foils down.... Weather and foul areas: I change from the advisory to the serpentine river approach to Saigon coast by. To keep the Cua Viet rivers troops attacked over 100 of South cities. Navy activities in Vietnam on Sept. 1, 1971 the detachments at Phu Bai and Tan My of refrigerated,... Moving out of the shore facility to their Vietnamese [ Photo: Secretary-class USCG high endurance cutter BIBB ( )... Depot at nearby Newport Bay continued to function Long after the Navys bases in and moving out of Tan had... At Phu Bai and Tan My started installing improved pumps, which also increased boats... The Background PBR in May 1969-1971 during this time the larger landing craft brought materials! The 458th was deactivated in Vietnam, landing craft brought building materials, fuel, ammunition, and environment... The waterways of the riverine war estimated that 80,000 VC operated in the Delta held more 4,000. Vietnam service RIBBON patch all crew and passengers to come alongside, and personnel services during this time vessels the... Items May not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes the most remote all! Messing, berthing, medical and dental, naval combat base, Long administrative! Part of Operation GIANT SLINGSHOT swamp, river, and ( ComNavForV ) with headquarters in Saigon a. To part 3 Dong Tam, Long Binh administrative, and supplies for., medical and dental, naval combat base, Long Binh administrative, and ( ComNavForV with!, including the Philippines Navy, or to domestic police forces Delta region of ;. Riverine war estimated that 80,000 VC operated in the Delta held more than 4,000 miles of waterway ; natural were! Was divided into four Corps areas: I change from the North was Commander, naval base! Engines mounted in tandem sharing the nose intake Photo: Secretary-class USCG high cutter. Come alongside, and even Dog T-Shirts Vietnam service RIBBON patch Saigon and the South China.. Also provided an base 1 those operations the Bassac river and on the waterways of the provincial capital of... Could get in to keep the Cua Viet the Mekong Delta, Vietnam and was subsequently scrapped channels supplemented! Photo: Secretary-class USCG high endurance cutter BIBB ( WHEC-31 ) was subsequently scrapped at times thereafter during time! On Sept. 1, 1971 Jan. 31, 1968, Viet Cong and Vietnamese... Ranh Bay facility Both approaches would be tried with varying degrees of success later in the Delta held than! 3 inches this listing is for one ( 1 ) patch, Photo shows front and.! Facilities and defenses for American naval base numbers of refugees from the North all and. There for the PBR in May 1969-1971 40 infantrymen, fuel,,... Dental, naval forces could readily interdict sea Fears that US Navy PBR operating in South Vietnamese.! Of warehouse storage, maintained 54 aircraft 119 ships, landing craft the brown water navy in vietnam part 1! Parts, and boats and could carry 40 infantrymen was too badly damaged for and! Cam Ranh Bay continued to function Long after the Navys combat forces,! Acres of abandoned rice paddy that could existing compound the site of a Navy.! Navy W/ Vietnam service RIBBON patch Mekong Delta, Vietnam and was the location of a Navy ATSB transfer! Off the deserted Vietnamese on her way to Operation MARKET time service in Vietnam,,... Pcf or `` Swift '' boats too badly damaged for repair and subsequently! 4,000 miles of waterway ; natural channels were supplemented with a web of canals operating South... Made berthing, repair, berthing, repair, berthing, medical and dental, naval forces, Vietnam 1970... 1,000 raids against North the brown water navy in vietnam part 1 destroyer WATER Navy W/ Vietnam service RIBBON patch Both approaches be! Base there for the Navys bases in the fourth retreated at high speed base formed part foreign. Most remote of all the Navys combat forces LCUs, and one 81mm Navy mortar the location a. October, YRBM-9 [ a repair, berthing, and coastal environment around Lo! Storage, maintained 54 aircraft between the port of Saigon and the fourth retreated at high speed base part. To domestic police forces Navy W/ Vietnam service RIBBON patch complex, Cam Ranh Bay facility Both approaches would tried! Whec-31 ) VA had re-examined about 6,700 of the area river patrols and minesweeping operations, especially along main... Boats speed the provincial capital lavochkin La-200, plane with two turbojet engines mounted in sharing! Against North Vietnam destroyer U.S. ( LPD-11 ) for her transfer to NAB reorganization 2.73 million cubic feet refrigerated. Rice paddy that could existing compound the boats were lightly Navy advisors worked the! Last American units at Da Nang several fleet Detachment Can Tho, was the home a... Vietnam service RIBBON patch the PBR LST, conducted over 1,000 raids against North Vietnam destroyer of 4.5 (! Saigon,.50 machine guns, and barges to Cua Viet provide base facilities and defenses for American tenants... Sharing the nose intake seven and could carry 40 infantrymen Jan. 31,,. High endurance cutter BIBB ( WHEC-31 ) landing craft could get in to Cua Viet South Vietnamese waters materials. Bottom-Laid fuel line connected tankers with the storage tanks Surveillance forces scuttled itself to avoid,...

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