USCG 82-ft WPBs and 13-ft Whalers in Vietnam

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Author Topic:   USCG 82-ft WPBs and 13-ft Whalers in Vietnam

jimp posted 07-12-2014 07:13 PM ET (US)
Some may have seen this short 5-minute video from the History Channel on USCG patrol boats in Vietnam 1965-1970... and their 13-ft Boston Whaler small boats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3UcBuFC8Z4&feature=youtu.be
wezie posted 07-13-2014 11:26 AM ET (US)
The Coast Guard performed a lot of hard and very dangerous work in Viernam.
I only got to meet a few, but they were totally professional mariners.
"Salty"
I do not believe they ever got enough recognition.
Think You All.
Binkster posted 07-13-2014 12:37 PM ET (US)
I think this site better depicts the Coast Guard dutys in Vietnam.
http://adjunct.diodon349.com/War/vietham_war_USCG.html
rich
seahorse posted 07-13-2014 01:46 PM ET (US)

I was stationed in Viet Nam and was TDY or TAD with the Coast Guard there and along the coastal areas repairing their outboards. Most of the Army and Coast Guard companies had the 17' Whaler with a Johnson or Evinrude 85 on the back. These engines ran 50:1 with military 30 weight engine oil and carboned up terribly. There was no bottom paint either so the boats accumulated barnacles very quickly. Combined with no one knowing how to work on motors for maintenance and the corrosive salt water, I was kept pretty busy.
The standard boat rig had an M-60 mounted on the on the bow and carried cases of concussion grenades to kill sappers that may be swimming in the harbor areas around the larger boats and ships.
Evening patrols went up the rivers back before the politicians did away with the free-fire zones. Those times were fun, hair-raising, and down right scary at times. You were out in an open boat with no armor protection and a flak jacket or a helmet did not stop an AK-47 round.
deepwater posted 07-14-2014 11:31 PM ET (US)
We shipped many of the whalers by C141 and 130 all over,,its why I loved having one myself
fritzmerde posted 07-20-2014 12:13 AM ET (US)
The CG is still in the "you're just in the CG" label. The Navy is in the, "Oh you're in the Navy" snub.A lot has to do with them not being in the field, & how well they lived.The Nam & Korean vets never received a proper thank you. I attended the Vietnam memorial unveiling & dedication. I was the TC on a 113,& it drew a crowd.I had been ordered to keep folks away from my track. In a pause in the festivities, vets were asking for a ride. Heck yeah climb aboard, it's your day. SECONDs later folks were hanging all over the track, it was a blast. No payment or recogntion will ever be enough
Jefecinco posted 07-20-2014 09:55 AM ET (US)
I was paid the proper amount each month, promoted a bit sooner than average, got an accouterment or two, enjoyed an average six month break between tours, and made some lifelong friends. I have no complaint. A little nicer reception upon coming home would have been nice but it was just one of life's lessons.
Butch
EJO posted 07-21-2014 11:58 AM ET (US)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE GUYS

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Author	Topic: USCG 82-ft WPBs and 13-ft Whalers in Vietnam
jimp	posted 07-12-2014 07:13 PM ET (US) Some may have seen this short 5-minute video from the History Channel on USCG patrol boats in Vietnam 1965-1970... and their 13-ft Boston Whaler small boats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3UcBuFC8Z4&feature=youtu.be
wezie	posted 07-13-2014 11:26 AM ET (US) The Coast Guard performed a lot of hard and very dangerous work in Viernam. I only got to meet a few, but they were totally professional mariners. "Salty" I do not believe they ever got enough recognition. Think You All.
Binkster	posted 07-13-2014 12:37 PM ET (US) I think this site better depicts the Coast Guard dutys in Vietnam. http://adjunct.diodon349.com/War/vietham_war_USCG.html rich
seahorse	posted 07-13-2014 01:46 PM ET (US) I was stationed in Viet Nam and was TDY or TAD with the Coast Guard there and along the coastal areas repairing their outboards. Most of the Army and Coast Guard companies had the 17' Whaler with a Johnson or Evinrude 85 on the back. These engines ran 50:1 with military 30 weight engine oil and carboned up terribly. There was no bottom paint either so the boats accumulated barnacles very quickly. Combined with no one knowing how to work on motors for maintenance and the corrosive salt water, I was kept pretty busy. The standard boat rig had an M-60 mounted on the on the bow and carried cases of concussion grenades to kill sappers that may be swimming in the harbor areas around the larger boats and ships. Evening patrols went up the rivers back before the politicians did away with the free-fire zones. Those times were fun, hair-raising, and down right scary at times. You were out in an open boat with no armor protection and a flak jacket or a helmet did not stop an AK-47 round.
deepwater	posted 07-14-2014 11:31 PM ET (US) We shipped many of the whalers by C141 and 130 all over,,its why I loved having one myself
fritzmerde	posted 07-20-2014 12:13 AM ET (US) The CG is still in the "you're just in the CG" label. The Navy is in the, "Oh you're in the Navy" snub.A lot has to do with them not being in the field, & how well they lived.The Nam & Korean vets never received a proper thank you. I attended the Vietnam memorial unveiling & dedication. I was the TC on a 113,& it drew a crowd.I had been ordered to keep folks away from my track. In a pause in the festivities, vets were asking for a ride. Heck yeah climb aboard, it's your day. SECONDs later folks were hanging all over the track, it was a blast. No payment or recogntion will ever be enough
Jefecinco	posted 07-20-2014 09:55 AM ET (US) I was paid the proper amount each month, promoted a bit sooner than average, got an accouterment or two, enjoyed an average six month break between tours, and made some lifelong friends. I have no complaint. A little nicer reception upon coming home would have been nice but it was just one of life's lessons. Butch
EJO	posted 07-21-2014 11:58 AM ET (US) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE GUYS