MOMENT OF TRUTH - - LONG OVERDUE - -

 -TO ALL- 

ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD, MERCHANT MARINE

Thanks to Bob Harkins, N. Wildwood, NJ (X Coastie Shipmate) for the above YouTube link

USCGC POINT WELCOME REMEMBERED

A TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY - VIETNAM 1966

IN MEMORY ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY 2012

Chief Patterson succumbed to cancer on April 12, 2010.  On June 16, 2010, a memorial service and burial at sea was held for this Vietnam War Era Coast Guard Hero, Chief Boatswains Mate Richard Patterson.  BMC Patterson was a legendary Coastie honored for his heroic courage under fire when the CGC Point Welcome (WPB 82329) was attacked by friendly fire from U.S. Air Force aircraft near the demilitarized zone in South Vietnam on August 11, 1966. Chief Patterson saved the cutter and the surviving crew and was awarded a Bronze Star with the combat “V” device for his actions.

TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN EVERYTHING

REST IN PEACE -

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

USCG SQUADRON ONE - VIETNAM - 1965 - 1975

FREEDOM ISN'T "FREE"

SALUTE - - - -

VETERAN'S DAY 2010

U.S. COAST GUARD COMBAT VETERANS

U.S. COAST GUARD VETERAN'S DAY OBSERVANCE - 2008

VIETNAM 1965 - 1975

VIETNAM FLASHBACK and "BASKET BOATS"

Taken while on patrol in 1969 off central Vietnam

"Basket Boats" locally called "thuyen thung", are made from bamboo and covered with chai (a waterproof material made from a plant).

The boats are constructed by first selecting quality bamboo plants and splitting them into thin strips before drying them in the sun. Then they skilfully bend and knit the strips into a round shape. After knitting, they coat the boat with many layers of chai to make the boat waterproof.  These versatile craft are used to set nets, as tenders, (taking crews to shore in crowded harbors) as life boats and more.  Rowing a Basket Boat takes skill and patience (most Vietnamese fisherman grew up rowing these craft, so they make it look easy).  The origin of the "Basket Boats" go far back in to the history of Vietnam, one story is that when the French ruled Vietnam, they levied taxes on many things, including boats. Many poor villagers could not pay the tax imposed on their small boats so they invented a new type of boat called thuyen thung to evade taxes because the thung (round basket) was not considered a boat - - -.  These craft are still heavily used today.  See some additional "Basket Boat photo's here:  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eifeelgood/3324528738/in/photostream/ 


CHECK OUT THIS "BASKET BOAT" UNDERWAY ON YOU TUBE

I WANT THIS GUY TO CREW FOR ME!!!,  (WONDER WHAT HE WAS "CHECKING" WHEN HE MADE THAT STOP?  MAYBE THOUGHT HE HAD A LINE IN THE SCREW - -
Here are a couple of other shots of Basket Boats:

 Photo: © Alan Marshall 

Photo © Alan Marshall 

INDEPENDENCE DAY - A CELEBRATION - A MEMORY

1970 - VIETNAM Homecoming -

Sneaking back in to my country?

My dearest Mom, Dad and myself shortly after returning from Vietnam - posed for the picture, seldom if ever spoke about being in Vietnam for many years - - even in the Heartland the anti-war sentiment was high and focused on those who served - 

As we slam in to the upcoming holiday weekend to celebrate our country's Independence birthday - - I have some thoughts and memories, that may only be recognized by a few - -.  Our country has and is experiencing some of the most troubling and consuming tragedy's imaginable - the Gulf oil spill, War and what appears to be a growing division in the country and continuous criticism of our government, the people in it and even what it stands for.  We have not yet recovered from 911, Katrina, political unrest and a score of other man-made and nature generated disasters.

I have not always been happy with the actions of my government and many of those who are in control of it and sometimes the people themselves,  - I can remember very vividly back to 1970 when I returned from VIETNAM - the country was nearly upside down over that war and even worse - the country seemed to hate each and every one of us who were there for what ever reason - -?  When I received my orders to go back to the WORLD -  I was ready, but I was NEVER ashamed of what I did there or that I was there.  Then reality set in - as our flight landed at El Torro Airbase in California we were told what to expect - and it WAS NOT A HOMECOMING - In effect we were SNEAKING BACK IN TO OUR COUNTRY!  As we boarded the buses to get us back to our base for processing and de-briefing, we were told to NOT wear our uniform, travel in no less then pairs and be extremely cautious in San Francisco as  many of our guys were assaulted, beaten and injured - - -.  I processed out of Alameda, California and caught a flight home - - NOT in uniform and did not mention Vietnam - - It was hard to blend in, even in "civvies"as my military haircut gave me away.  I returned home to family and some friends, one of the lucky ones, not wounded, not missing arm, leg, eye and my name was not on the "wall" of 58,627 souls lost in that tragic war.  - - But of course - - I WAS JUST IN THE COAST GUARD - -

CELEBRATE YOUR INDEPENDENCE - REMEMBER WHO PAID FOR IT

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM - - 

PATCHES -

Unit and Division "Patches" have always been a standard in the Military.  During my Coast Guard career almost every unit had their individual "patch/logo" depicting the unit type or mission in various forms.  Most lifeboat stations, ships and units had them.  They were always worn with pride and lots of folks collected them.  During my tour in Vietnam, we had our Squadron 1 patch and our Division 12 patch which was the division of USCG Squadron One that I was assigned to.  These patches are shown below:

Inspired by the Division 12 Patch, I decided to have a TOWBOATU.S. Lake of the Ozarks patch designed and made.  I took the Vietnam Division patch to Crystal and Dwayne Johnson of  NO STRESS EMBROIDERY in Linn Creek and showed them what I would like to do. Crystal set about working her computer "magic" and came up with a few designs that had to be tested for detail and lend itself to production as a 4 inch "patch".  Some changes were made, originals and prototypes are used in some of the blog posts.  After several weeks the final production design was done and we now have an OFFICIAL TOWBOATU.S. LAKE OF THE OZARKS UNIT PATCH!

BE THE FIRST ON YOUR BLOCK TO OWN ONE!

FOR ONLY $9.95 (includes shipping), YOU can be the proud owner of an official TOWBOAT LAKE OF THE OZARKS PATCH!  (4 inches in diameter) Just e-mail laketow2@aol.com with your order information.   Credit card (visa/mc) or PayPal payment accepted.

NEED GREAT CUSTOM WORK CONTACT:

EMBROIDERY

573 346-5476

IN MEMORY - U.S. COAST GUARD COMBAT VETERANS

IN MEMORY

BMC RICHARD PATTERSON, USCG

NOVEMBER 6, 1931 - APRIL 12, 2010

The above interview of BMC Patterson for the Coast Guard Channel accounts the tragic events surrounding the first USCG deaths in Vietnam - unfortunately the result of "Friendly Fire" from our own U. S. Air Force.

(Note: There area a few inaccuracies in the video narration.  Neither of the F4 aircraft had guns and none of the three had .50 caliber machine guns).  It was the the B-57 that fired the 1100 rounds of 20mm).

See Also Post (with links) "Friendly Fire" from last May

PLEASE REMEMBER WHY WE OBSERVE THIS MEMORIAL DAY
THANK-YOU

Winter reading and a little history -

Cabin fever? Snowed or iced in? Looking to shave off a few hours and do a little reading?

If you have any interest in the U.S. Coast Guard, its history, perhaps a son or daughter considering joining the service, a member of the CG Auxiliary or maybe looking for a gift for someone who may have served in the Coast Guard. Here is a look at the Coast Guard in recent times that many people were not aware of. The Coast Guard in Vietnam? Thought you guys never left home - - The Coast Guard just guards the coast - right? And so on. For your reading, I offer information on these two books regarding the U.S. Coast Guard's role in Vietnam.

THE COAST GUARD AT WAR - 1965 - 1975 - by Alex Larzelere and COAST GUARD ACTION IN VIETNAM - by Paul Scotti Available through Amazon.com. (CLICK ON THE TITLE FOR DIRECT LINK TO PAGE)

Editor Note: These books are featured as this blog is dedicated to the boats and men of Squadron One, Vietnam, (where I served in 1969 & '70). The other Coast Guard missions and roles in Vietnam and previous wars along with more recent conflicts right up to today where our Coast Guard men and women are in harms way is NOT ignored nor forgotton. Semper- Paratus

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

It is hard to believe that another year has passed - - I began this blog a year ago in early December and it has been fun. I appreciate those of you that have followed along from time to time and wish you all the best during this holiday season and always. Please remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom in the past and those who are away from their families right now helping to preserve our liberty - -

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT TOWBOATU.S. LAKE OF THE OZARKS!

Captain CHARLIE & LAURA MEYER

Captain Delton Jones

Captain Dwayne Johnson

Captain Dave Anderson

Captain Tim McNitt

See last year's Christmas Greeting here for story about the patrol boat card

FLASHBACK - Vietnam, boarding junks -1969-70

Boarding inspections on larger "junks" often took quite a bit of time - - after the junk was secured and most obvious threats were eliminated, we had to search every compartment and hold. This was not always pleasant and usually hot and smelly. In photo's we have just stopped this junk and are preparing to board. The skinny guy on bow with M-16 is me, hadn't been "in country" to long as I was still a little pale. The 2nd photo is myself (on bow) and our ET (Electronics Technician) who's name escapes me for now, getting a breath of fresh air after search and wait to re-board the Point Young - - -. Just another day at the office - -

FLASHBACK - Vietnam Patrol Boat daily routine -1969-70

Reporting aboard the "Point Young" in March of 1969, there wasn't much time for settling in, we got underway on patrol and so begin the first day of a year long ride. Our primary purpose was boarding and searching all manner of small fishing junks and trawlers for contraband, weapons and any suspicious activity. Often boring with brief adrenalin hits involving trading bullets with the bad guys or firing missions to assist close land based Army or Navy units under siege.

VETERANS DAY - 2009

Its been a long and wet fall and we have had a few set backs, but I am finally finding the time to get back in to the routine and make a few posts.  In honor of the upcoming Veteran's Day, I would like to post a link to the past posts I have made regarding USCG SQUADRON ONE VIETNAM and honor and remember ALL who have served, both past and present.

Click SQUADRON ONE here for all previous posts regarding USCG Squadron One and you can view the short "You-Tube" movie at the bottom of the blog page as well.

REMEMBER ALL OUR VETERANS - THANKS

40 YEARS AGO - but who's counting -

It is VERY hard to believe that 40 years and 5+ months ago, I reported aboard the USCGC Point Young (WPB 82303) in DaNang, VIETNAM - - yes, good old sunny SE Asia - at the ripe old age of 24.  Looking back, I thought Korean War vets were old then - - and yet, in what seems like a blink of an eye - 40 plus years have past along with over 58,000 souls memorialized by a long black wall that will help us to remember those who could not be with us now - When I hit the tarmac in DaNang, Vietnam, late March of 1969 I was really overwhelmed at our commitment there.  The sheer numbers of men, the equipment, the traffic (troops, APC's, tractor trailers, ships, boats, planes and on and on and on) - - was staggering.  The USCG Squadron One (Division 12) was located on the Navy base in DaNang harbor.  The number of USCG personnel assigned here was very small, our uniforms, were the same as the Navy and we blended in with the exception of "US Coast Guard" above our left pocket - - If recognized, there was always the typical "What are you guys doing here??  Make a wrong turn coming out of San Francisco??" and  so on - -  The photo is my first look at my new home, the Point Young is shown nested alongside the YR-71 (our mother ship) during "in ports" where we took on supplies, ammunition and repairs.

The Changing colors of WAR -

Things have quieted down since the weekend and the weather has been producing rainy days.  I picked up a very short tow on Monday afternoon, a 27ft BaJa with engine failure for a quick 1 mile tow to the dealership marina - thats been it.  I thought I would make a "rainy day" flashback to sunny Southeast Asia.  My last SQUADRON ONE post, prior to the memorial posts was on May 12.  I noted on the end of that post the cutters were still sporting their stateside white paint and were engaged in combat duties immediately after their arrival on July 20, 1965.  As late as September of 1965 the RONONE boats were still in white paint as shown in the panel of the Point Young (WPB 82303) raising the VC junk that had attempted to ram the Point Glover.  Shortly after that all the cutters were re-painted their new battle gray. The second panel is an unknown cutter being converted to it's new color.  They were now (and had already been) WARSHIPS - - 

CLICK PANELS FOR A LARGER VIEW

IN MEMORY - PART II

THOUGH MY FIRST THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS WITH JERRY PHILLIPS BECAUSE OF OUR BRIEF FRIENDSHIP AND THE TERRIBLE MISTAKE WHICH CAUSED HIS DEATH ALONG WITH HIS SKIPPER LTJG BROSTROM - - MAKE NO MISTAKE, I PLACE THE COMBAT ACTION LOSSES OF MY FELLOW COAST GUARD SQUADRON ONE SHIPMATES AND ALL WHO PAYED THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE UTMOST HIGHEST REGARD AND SHALL NEVER FORGET - - -

The pictured panels are in memory of the combat action losses of the UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, VIETNAM - - - - - -

click on the pictured panels for a larger view

IN MEMORY -

As we begin our full scale assault on the new summer with promise of fun and sun and the long MEMORIAL DAY weekend, many of us tend to forget why we have this "time off", "holiday", and so on - - - Some of us who have seen many "summer holidays" go by may have a slightly different view - - we know many who have not seen these "weekends" & "holidays" for years because of their sacrifice.  Let me tell you a short story about one such sacrifice that I shall always be mindful of:  JERRY PHILLIPS, EN2, USCG.  I joined the Coast Guard in 1965, shortly before my 21st birthday.  After completing boot camp in Cape May, I was assigned to Cape May Station, this was the small boat Search and Rescue (SAR) unit for the Cape May area & lower Delaware Bay.  I was a Fireman Apprentice (FA) and was training as a Boat engineer.  The 95ft USCGC Cape Kiwanda, WPB 95329 was stationed in Cape May and one of her engineers had orders to Squadron One, Vietnam so I was assigned to the Cape Kiwanda for temporary duty.  That engineer was JERRY PHILLIPS,  Jerry took me under his wing and trained me in the duties of an engineer aboard the cutter with 4 main diesel engines, generators, fuel systems and so forth.  I spent a great deal of time with Jerry before he was shipped out to Vietnam.  He was a great instructor and became a friend. - - - -

The Coast Guard entered the war in July of 1965 and Jerry was assigned to the 82ft CGC Point Welcome WPB 82329, sometime after his arrival in RVN 1966.  On August 11, 1966, just a little over a year after the USCG arrived in Vietnam, the POINT WELCOME fell victim to "FRIENDLY FIRE" - - resulting in the death of the skipper, LTJG Brostrom and Engineer,  Jerry Phillips and wounding three others. 

This entire incident is best described by William R. Wells III,  "Bill" Wells, a Coast Guard Combat Veteran, did an exhaustive research of  the entire "incident" and it can be read here;  Point Welcome,  A Target of Opportunity

LET US NOT FORGET

And on to Vietnam- -

Back on the March 8 post (A Shipload of Boats), I described how the 82's were loaded aboard ships for transport to Subic Bay, Philippines. 

Depending upon where the ships carrying the WPB's departed from, the trip to Subic Bay took over 3 weeks.   The first load of 82's arrived on 17 June, 1965.  They were unloaded and began outfitting and training.   On July 10, 1965 they were divided in to Division's  11 & 12.  On or about 17 July, 1965 the first group of cutters set sail for DaNang, Vietnam.  They arrived on July 20, 1965 and just 4 days later, the USCGC POINT ORIENT, exchanges fire with the Viet Cong ashore, becoming the first Coast Guard Cutter in combat since World War II! - - They were still displaying their state-side white paint !!

Squadron One - A "SHIP" Load of Boats!!

As stated, in an amazing 12 days after the cutters were ordered to be deployed, they were being loaded on Merchant vessels in various ports.  The total number of 82-foot Coast Guard patrol vessels attached to the Squadron was twenty-six, each manned by eleven men, including two officers. Division 11 (nine 82-footers) operated to the south out of An Thoi, Phu Quoc Island. Division 12 (eight 82-footers) patrolled out of DaNang to the north, while Division 13 (nine 82-footers) patrolled in the central area out of Cat Lo, near Vung Tau, about 40 air miles southeast of Saigon. Divisions 11 and 12 first arrived at South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. Division 13 was added months later, arriving at Cat Lo on February 22, 1966." The photo's show how some of the 82's were loaded aboard Merchant Vessels bound for Subic Bay, Philippines. There they would stage, add additional outfitting, and run sea trials, prior to sailing to Vietnam. (click on photo's to enlarge)

AUTHOR'S NOTE:  (Confession) Historical correction.  The top photo was "photoshopped" to appear as the Point Young (82303) for a power point program I put together about the Point Young, it is in fact the POINT MAST (WPB 82316).  It was stationed in Long Beach, CA and shipped to Vietnam in JULY of 1965.  I just changed the numbers -