E-MAIL MIKE WILSON.
rabungap@alltel.net

United States Naval Operations Vietnam, Highlights; April 1966 River Patrol Force Operation GAME WARDEN entered its fledgling stages during April as the first PBRs became operational and patrolled the waters of the Rung Sat Special Zone. As the new crews received area indoctrination and training, construction of new bases in the Mekong Delta area continued in preparation for the arrival of the first patrol units during the forthcoming months. The departure of the Seventh Fleet Marine Amphibious Force from the Rung Sat Special Zone on 7 April signaled the termination of Operation JACKSTAY. Highly successful in terms of equipment and facilities captured or destroyed, JACKSTAY also resulted in 63 Viet Cong killed. But the likelihood was great that Viet Cong forces in the area would attempt to re-infiltrate into the Rung Sat Special Zone and establish once again their secure bases. To counter this possibility by denying the Viet Cong use of the major waterways in the Rung Sat Special Zone, the CTF 115 river patrols established during JACKSTAY were maintained after completion of the operation. The ten patrol stations were to be manned by five WPBs and four PCFs. Two LCPLs, the UH-1B fire teams, and the MSBs were to assist. The PBRs were scheduled to phase in when operationally ready. Vietnamese Navy assistance was also requested. On 6 April, the units chopped to operational control of CTG 116.2, and commenced patrol. On 8 April, Vietnamese Navy units relieved two stations, freeing one WPB and one PCF for MARKET TIME patrol. River Assault Group units, consisting of one commandament, one FOM (similar to STCAN), and one monitor, assumed patrols on the upper Soirap River. Other VNN units patrolled the eastern reach of the Vamco River and the Dong Tranh River.

On 8 April, the PBRs of River Patrol Section 541 commenced orientation patrols with PCFs and WPBs on the Long Tau River stations. On 15 April, the PBRs reported they were ready to assume any two stations. On the following day, the PBRs commenced patrol, resulting in two PCFs and two WPBs released for MARKET TIME operations. This resulted in seven stations manned continually by United States units: two by PBRs, three by WPBs and two by PCFs. PBRs occupied one additional station vacated by Vietnamese Navy units on 16 April. The Soirap River patrol stations continued to meet with success as the Viet Cong persisted in their attempts to utilize this waterway. On 17 April, PCF 23 illuminated a contact attempting to cross the Soirap River just north of the Vain Sat River mouth. The sampan maintained speed and opened fire with small arms. Four people in the sampan jumped overboard as PCF 23 returned the fire. The sampan was taken in tow but subsequently sank. Enemy shore fire prevented a continued search of the area. The effectiveness of the Soirap River patrols can also be measured in terms of the stepped-up harassment of patrol units. On numerous occasions during the month, the boats came under moderate to heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from the banks, Most of the harassing fire was received in the section near the mouth of the Vain Sat River, a known infiltration route terminal and the scene of considerable action during March and April. Shore fire was also received on two occasions near the mouth of the Soirap River. Meanwhile the Long Tau River patrol stations continued relatively quiet. Intelligence reports during the month indicated a partial shift in Viet Cong infiltration patterns into the Rung Sat Special Zone, with traffic entering from the east, originating in Viet Cong strongholds in Phuoc Tuy Province. However, no evidence of this was uncovered by the Long Tau River patrols.

One reason for this may exist in the fact that the Long Thu River, with its narrow, sinuous channel, presents a much more difficult patrol area than the wide, straight Soirap River. With the exception of the wide section near the mouth of Ganh Rai Bay, transit across the Long Tau can be accomplished quickly, making detection difficult. On 26 April, an additional twelve PBRs arrived at Cat Lo. These units commenced shakedown cruises from the base at Cat Lo and from USS Floyd County (LST-762), which had arrived in country on 12 April to become the second Inshore Support ship.

River Division 51 was activated on 27 April aboard “USS TORTUGA (LSD-26)” in preparation for the first transit into the Mekong Delta in May. The new units were designated River Section 512. While crew performance during the initial month of PBR operations was regarded as excellent, numerous problem areas arose in the boats themselves. The narrow vinyl beading which served as a fender was not adequate protection when boarding and searching larger junks, or when alongside a support ship. This resulted in damage to the side. To correct this, discarded helicopter tires were obtained for use as fenders. Armor plating around the forward gun mount has been removed on all boats to improve gunner and coxswain visibility and communications. M-72s, one-time-only anti tank rockets, are being carried on all boats as interim ordnance pending approval and installation of the Mark 18, 40 mm rapid fire grenade launcher. In another ordnance improvement, .50 caliber machine guns are being installed United States Naval Operations Vietnam, Highlights; June 1966 River Patrol Force The arrival of sixteen new PBRs (total - 63) and the movement of two additional River Patrol Sections into the Mekong Delta highlighted GAME WARDEN operations during June. In the Rung Sat Special Zone PBRs assumed the remaining stations occupied by PCFs, releasing them for MARKET TIME. An assessment of the early stages of GAME WARDEN indicated the operation was accomplishing its mission of interdicting VC movements on the major rivers of the Rung Sat Special Zone (RSSZ), and on that portion of the Bassac River in the vicinity of Can Tho where the initial Delta Patrols were being conducted. The heaviest action involving PBRs occurred the morning of 20 June at the mouth of the Bassac River near the small Cai Co River. PBRs 57 and 58 detected, then closed and illuminated a forty foot junk crossing the Bassac estuary at high tide.

At a range of fifty yards the junk opened fire at PBR 57, the lead boat, using automatic weapons and an antitank rocket launcher. The initial round from the rocket launcher found its mark on the PBR, but heavy .50 caliber and .30 caliber machine gun fire forced the junk to flee up the shallow Cai Co River. Of the estimated ten Viet Cong on board, at least two were killed or wounded. One was seen to fall overboard and the other fell back into the boat. The PBRs suffered two casualties; one the forward gunner and the second a Vietnamese Navy liaison petty officer from Coastal Group 35. Both were evacuated by helicopter with shrapnel wounds. PBR 57 received a twelve inch by eight inch hole on the forward deck and a five inch hole on the starboard side above the waterline. The .50 caliber machine gun-mount housing shield, the whip antenna, the radar antenna and the spotlight lens were damaged by shrapnel.

On two occasions armed helicopter fire teams from USS Tortuga (LSD-26) saw significant action on the Bassac River. On 19 June the helicopters fired on three camouflaged sampans near the mouth of the river in the same area as the PBR 57/58 incident. Automatic weapons fire was received in return. One Viet Cong was killed, one sampan destroyed and two sampans damaged. One man from the fire team was wounded when a round struck the flexible gun drive. On 21 June the fire team again came under automatic weapons attack. The fire was returned with machine gun and rocket fire. One hut was destroyed and an estimated five Viet Cong killed. A sandbar fourteen miles southeast of Can Tho in the Bassac River provided the location for significant Viet Cong psychological warfare activity on 27 June. Here, at 2230, PBR 38 discovered a beached bamboo float. The float was a replica of a PBR, covered with haze-grey canvas and flying a Viet Cong flag. A sign on board - in Vietnamese - challenged the Americans to fight, and included the phrase "Sat My" - "Kill Americans." The float was taken under fire by .50 caliber machine guns, damaged and forced into the river. Cautious of possible booby traps, the PBR stayed well clear and allowed it to float away with the current.

Material Salvaged From Point League TRAWLER

Approximately 80-100 tons of ammo, weapons and other items of intelligence interests were removed by USN/VNN units, including:

---Weapons
7 82mm Mortars
316 7.62mm Automatic Rifles
100 7.62mm Side Arms
605 7.62mm Semiautomatic Rifles
21 7.62mm Light Machine Gun (Type 56)
60 BAR Type 7.62mm Weapons
20 75mm Recoilless Rifles
25 40mm Rocket Launchers Ammunition
1,851 82mm Mortar Rounds
222,880 7.62mm Rounds
1,500 40mm Rockets
760 75mm Recoilless Rifle Rounds
122,000 12.7mm API Rounds
2,000 40mm HEAT Round
1,100 Fragmentation Grenades,
Pull Friction Miscellaneous
9 82mm Mortar Bi-Pod Assembly
7 82mm Mortar Base Plates
13 82mm Mortar Battery Powered Range Sight with Carrying Cases
18 82mm Mortar Sighting Stakes (Sets)
91 Light Machine Gun Drum Type Magazines with Links
10 7.62mm Anti-aircraft Machine Gun Carriages
18 75mm Recoilless Rifle Base Rings
1 75mm Recoilless Rifle Tool Kit
12 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun Barrels
12 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun Receiver Groups 18(pr)
12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun Carriage Wheels with Axles
2 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun Tripods
58 12.7mm Ammunition Cans with Links
3 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun Anti-aircraft Sights
33 200 Gram TNT Blocks 20 Unidentified Small Caliber Ammunition Cans with Links
3 Battery Powered 57-mm Recoilless Rifle Sight Sets

United States Naval Operations Vietnam Highlights;

July 1966 GAME WARDEN PBRs played an unusual role on 29 July when they provided emergency transportation for U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, and RADM N. G. Ward, COMNAVFORV, after their helicopter had been forced down by monsoon rains at VNN Coastal Group 35 Base. The Ambassador and his party had just completed a visit to USS Tortuga (LSD 26) for a briefing of her role in GAME WARDEN. After receiving a message that the party was down, USS Tortuga (LSD-26) dispatched a PBR patrol to return them to the ship. They remained on board overnight and were transported to Saigon the following morning by the helicopter fire team. Operating from USS Tortuga (LSD 26) off the mouths of the Bassac and Co Chien Rivers, the helicopter fire teams logged an impressive number of successful strikes at Viet Cong boats and facilities during July. The majority of these strikes were in the area of Long Toan and Thanh Phong Secret Zones, known Viet Cong strongholds and staging areas. At 1820, July, a helicopter fire team took a large number of sampans under fire in the Long Toan Secret Zone. One sampan disintegrated in a secondary explosion. Six others were damaged, while a number of additional sampans took cover under foliage. During the action three PBRs were set as a blocking force in the Co Chien River estuary in the event the Viet Cong attempted to cross.

United States Naval Operations Vietnam Highlights; August 1966

GAME WARDEN GAME WARDEN operations continued during August for the 95 PBR's, 12 MSBs, 6 HU-1s and one SEAL detachment of TF 116 in the Mekong and Saigon River Deltas. These Amphibious Force units used Nha Be, Cat Lo, My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Sa Dec, and Long Xuyen as shore bases. GAME WARDEN forces covered the area searching sampans, sweeping for mines, destroying Viet Cong supply caches and performing a variety of other tasks. In completing some 917 two-boat patrols, the PBR's detected approximately 48,000 wooden water craft which resulted in over 10,000 boardings. Eighty PBR's participated in these patrols, while 15 completed outfitting and moved to Long Xuyen in preparation for operations. The MSBs were involved in approximately 130 patrols sweeping for Viet Cong mines, and the HU-1s completed nearly 120 armed helicopter patrols.

USS Tortuga (LSD 26) moved to a new anchorage at Cat Lo in support of operations in the Long Tau River main channel. SEAL teams participated in approximately 10 patrols. These actions resulted in 35 structures destroyed or damaged, 10 sampans destroyed or damaged and 30 Viet Cong killed in action. Clashes between the Viet Cong and GAME WARDEN patrols increased in August as more PBR's became operational and more territory was covered. On 12 August, a helicopter fire team engaged the Viet Cong near the mouth of the Song Hau Giong. [A] The helos destroyed four structures, damaged 13 others and damaged two sampans. Six Viet Cong were possibly killed with no friendly losses. On the 15th, PBR's received automatic weapons fire while conducting a routine river patrol near Can Tho.[B] The fire was returned and suppressed with no casualties to friendly forces and unknown casualties to the enemy. This was the fifth incident of PBR's being taken under fire in this particular area, and it is believed to be a reaction to the PBR patrols that are escorting sampans past a suspected Viet Cong tax collection point. On the 17th of the month, PBRS sighted a suspicious sampan with three passengers attempting to evade to the underbrush.[C] The suspects were ordered out for inspection, but the orders were ignored. The suspects were taken under direct fire and with the first burst a secondary explosion was observed. Results were three sampans destroyed and three Viet Cong possibly killed. On 18 August, a SEAL Team on a reconnaissance patrol in the Rung Sat Special Zone located a Viet Cong supply cache which contained an estimated 200 tons of rice. [D] These rice silos were subsequently destroyed by air strikes and naval gunfire. Two PBR's were patrolling the Soi Rap River on the evening of the same day, when they sighted two contacts making a crossing. [E] Upon illuminating them the PBRs were taken under fire from the river banks and the sampans, but no friendly casualties resulted.

The investigation of the sampan disclosed one CHICOM carbine, one Mauser rifle, two cartridge belts, one grenade and 120 rounds of ammunition On the 22nd of the month, a helo fire team on an armed reconnaissance mission located and destroyed three Viet Cong huts in the Rung Sat Special Zone. A direct hit on the largest of the structures produced a secondary explosion. A post-mission reconnaissance of the area disclosed that these structures were storage areas for large quantities of rice. [F] Also on the 22nd, PBRs on patrol detected and illuminated a sampan in the Song Tieng Giang. [G] The sampan which contained two Viet Cong, opened fire on the PBRs. Automatic weapons fire was also received from the river banks. This fire was returned, killing the two Viet Cong in the sampan and suppressing the enemy's fire from the shore. An investigation of the sampan revealed 100 documents -- many of a classified nature -- personal items, a radio, a pistol, a Vietnamese flag, field equipment -and tools. This incident was evaluated as a crossing attempt by a high ranking member of the 261st Viet Cong Main Force Battalion. On the 26th, two PBRs were fired upon while patrolling the Cua Cung Hau River. [H]

They returned the fire and were aided by a South Vietnamese river patrol craft and a USN helo fire team. The fight ended when the Viet Cong position erupted in a large secondary explosion. The fireball from the explosion penetrated the 400 foot overcast. Enemy casualties were unknown. On the naval scene, long reported rumors of VC mining efforts became factual. One potentially disastrous mining attempt was foiled on 14 August when the agent was captured. Interrogation revealed that the VC swimmer, along with five accomplices, had placed mines on two dredges. Both mines, of the command type, were recovered. Viet Cong mining success was achieved on 23 August against the MSTS ship Baton Rouge Victory, approximately 12 miles southeast of Saigon near Nha Be. Fortunately, the crew was able to beach the damaged ship and avoid blocking the critical Long Tau River channel. Mines also damaged one MSB of Task Force 116 and one South Vietnamese patrol craft. Despite its crude method and lack of success in interdicting a main waterway, Viet Cong mine warfare was a serious threat since 98 percent of all free world military war supplies reach Vietnam by sea. To the Viet Cong, mine warfare represents a relatively inexpensive and attractive method of inflicting damage on U.S. forces. MSB 54 and MSB 16 were conducting a sweep of the Long Tau [I] on 29 August when MSB 54 was rocked by an explosion which occurred approximately 15 feet off her port bow. Semi-automatic weapons fire was also received from the beach. Two PBRs in the vicinity came to the assistance of the MSB, suppressed the enemy fire and escorted the damaged MSB 54 clear of the area. MSB 54 sustained numerous hull cracks and shock damage to the boat's compasses, radios, radar and starters on two main engines. ---There were no friendly casualties...