Comprehensive History of Tortuga 26 cont

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 first test of the inshore support ship concept in the Mekong Delta was initiated on 13 June. Intelligence indicated extensive VC movement of material in the mouths of the Co Chien and Bassac rivers to VC secret zones along the Delta Coast. In an attempt to counter this activity, COMNAVFORV directed CTF 116 to deploy mobile units to the vicinity of the mouths of Co Chien and Bassac rivers, and to establish anti-infiltration and interdiction patrols. This was accomplished by deploying River Section 512, with 10 PBRS, two PACVs, and one helicopter fire team aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 26) for operations in the designated area. During the remainder of the month Tortuga, with her embarked components, maintained a mobile station in the vicinity of the river mouths. Although operations were at times curtailed by sea conditions, the PBRs maintained frequent patrols.

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 Tortuga 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.

At 1800 on 27 June, two junks from VNN Coastal Group 36 departed USS Tortuga for their base at the entrance to the Bassac River. At a point approximately fifteen miles from the entrance to the Bassac River, one junk developed engine trouble and the second, with two U.S. advisors and six VNN sailors embarked, came alongside to assist. While alongside, the hull opened up on the assisting junk, and it started taking on water rapidly. Weapons and other equipment were quickly transferred to the junk with engine trouble, but in the confusion it drifted away. All efforts to save the swamping junk failed. At 1900 the eight occupants were forced to take to the water, tying themselves together and using five life jackets and several crates to stay afloat. Tortuga, which had maintained radio contact with the CG 36 advisors, immediately dispatched SAR units including an LCPL, LCVP, PACV, and fire team helos. MARKET TIME units sent, included USS Inflict (MSO 456), PCF 40, USCGC Point League and USCGC Point Hudson. A flare aircraft was also dispatched to assist. A creeping line search plan was executed throughout the night in spite of 25 to 40 knot winds and four to six foot swells. The disabled junk with engine trouble was recovered at 1940 by an LCVP from Tortuga with seven survivors embarked. They reported that the eight men from the swamped junk were still in the water. The search continued until the following morning at 0700 when Point League recovered the eight survivors in excellent condition.

Picture by Mike Wilson MM2 USS TORTUGA 1966

We “arrived at the scene of the burning 100’ trawler as ammunition was exploding from the heat of the fires in the cargo hold, the fire was extinguished, and salvage operations begun. The fire fighting and salvage operations were made even more hazardous by the constant threat of a Viet Cong attack from the beach.”

This is for action that took place away from the ship during a Fire Fighting and Salvage Operation. The trawler was forced aground near the village of Ba Dong, South Viet Nam, during several hours of gun battle to keep the enemy from entering Co Chien River on June 20, 1966. Two Coast Guardsmen were wounded during the battle. Fire began with an explosion on board the trawler at 6:15 a.m. We traveled to the trawler and worked from other vessels during the salvage operation. (Tortuga’s “Mike” boat, 82 foot Coast Guard Cutters (Point League, Point Slocum and Point Hudson), and a Vietnamese Navy Junk. We “arrived at the scene of the burning 100’ trawler as ammunition was exploding from the heat of the fires in the cargo hold, the fire was extinguished, and salvage operations begun. The fire fighting and salvage operations were made even more hazardous by the constant threat of a Viet Cong attack from the beach.” The fires were extinguished at 2:00 p.m. We received sniper fire during the salvage operation and return fire was given.

During the period of 20 June through 22 June 1966, The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Tortuga (LSD-26) functioned as On-Scene Commander for the salvage of the Communist Infiltrator Trawler “20D2”. The steel hulled trawler was aground adjacent to the Lohn Toan Secret Zone of Vinh Binh Province, Vietnam and had been set afire during the sea engagement which caused the grounding.

“Tortuga was directly involved in coordinating and supporting the forces engaged in subduing the fires and performing the salvage work on the hull”

United States Naval Operations Vietnam Highlights; (No.10) July 1966

COMNAVFOR Vietnam's riverine Navy, the River Patrol, (GAME WARDEN) consisting of 71 PBRs, 12 MSBs, the SEAL Team, and two helicopter fire teams from Tortuga (LSD 26), focused operations in the Mekong Delta and the Rung Sat Special Zone. Results included 18 confirmed enemy killed (38 estimated), 26 sampans and 36 structures destroyed. U.S. Naval casualties were three men wounded. The significant result was the growing interruption of the enemy's use of the waterways in this delta stronghold. Highlights of the river force operations included actions by PBRs 103, 105, 109, and 110 on the Cau Tieu River near My Tho on the night of 23 July. There, accurate intelligence and aggressive tactics led to the interception and sinking of a hostile junk attempting a river crossing. At least seven enemy were killed.

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, Tortuga 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.

GAME WARDEN

GAME WARDEN operations continued during August for the 95 PBRs, 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 PBRs detected approximately

48,000 wooden water craft which resulted in over 10,000 boardings. Eighty PBRs 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 PBRs 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, PBRs 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 PBRs 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 PBRs 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.

Tortuga shifted to the Mekong Delta region on 12 June to serve as a floating base for the Navy's fast PBR's of TF 116 and for a detachment of Army Bell UH-1B Huey helicopter gunships. The PBR's attached to River Patrol Squadron 512, were small yet relatively heavily armed craft. Each mounted a .60-caliber machine gun forward and an "over-and-under" combination mount of one .50-caliber machine gun mounted over an 81-millimeter mortar aft. The helicopters, too, were relatively heavily armed, packing a "punch" of rockets of varying sizes and up to six machine guns. Initially, the helicopters were Army "choppers" from the 145th Aviation Detachment. However, by the end of Tortuga's tour, they were Navy aircraft from Task Force "Sea Wolf." Together, the PBR's and Hueys conducted their patrols and forays into the verdant jungle waterways, the PBR's knifing through the muddy sandy-colored waterways while the helicopters flew close cover above.

Occasionally, the hard-hitting teams would strike "pay-dirt," by capturing enemy munitions. On one occasion, on 12 June at the mouth of the Co Chien River, Tortuga's PBR's participated in the capture of a large stock of guns and munitions captured from a damaged communist trawler which had been forced aground and set afire.

Her deployment completed in the summer of 1966 Tortuga got underway on 30 August and steamed via Japan to the west coast. She arrived at San Diego on 7 November for leave, upkeep, and overhaul.

1. The Delta River Patrol Group (Task Group 116.1) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for exceptionally and heroic service from May 9, 1966 to June 1967 while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict with communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam. Tortuga operated in the Rung Sat special zone between Saigon and Vung Tau helping to guard the entrance to the shipping channels snaking through Viet Cong territory to the capital city.
Tortuga shifted to the Mekong Delta region on 12 June to serve as a floating base for the Navy's fast PBR's of TF 116.1 and for a detachment of Army Bell UH-1B Huey helicopter gunship. The PBR’s were attached to River Patrol Squadron 512. Tortuga LSD-26 was assigned as an integral part of TF 116.1. The Delta River Patrol Group (Task Group 116.1) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for exceptionally and heroic service from May 9, 1966 to June 1967 while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict with communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam.

2. U.S. Military units were individually cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; however, the Vietnamese Government issued the award to all units subordinate to Military Assistance Command (MACV) during the period from 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 and to U.S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units for the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. This permits all personnel who served in Vietnam to wear the RVN Gallantry Cross unit citation. The USS Tortuga was under the control of MACV during operations in Viet Nam.

The medal was awarded by the Vietnam Government to military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting the enemy and have been cited individually at the regiment, brigade, division, corps, or armed forces level.

The refit lasted through April of 1967, modernizing the ship and preparing her for another WestPac deployment. Following a period of refresher training and amphibious exercises, Tortuga sailed on 21 July 1967 from San Diego and arrived, via Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines, at Danang on 5 September.

During her support operations with the riverine assault groups, Tortuga received a number of distinguished visitors ranging from General William C. Westmoreland, Commander, Military Assistance Group, Rear Admiral N. G. Ward, Commanding Naval Forces Vietnam; as well as United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge; and news commentator Chet Huntley, who brought with him an NBC camera team to record a news story on Tortuga's river patrol base activities.

Upon arrival, Tortuga relieved Monticello (LSD-34) with Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) "Bravo" and operated with that unit into the fall of 1967. She took part in Operations "Fortress Sentry" and "Formation Leader," before her detachment from ARG "B" on 9 November. Subsequently, Tortuga loaded a cargo of disabled or damaged CH-46 helicopters for transport from Danang to Okinawa, where the "choppers" were repaired for further service. For the remainder of the year, from 3 to 31 December, Tortuga conducted cargo lifts from Japanese ports to Vietnam and vice-versa.

Tortuga then returned to the west coast -- via Yokosuka, Buckner Bay, Subic Bay, Hong Kong, and Pearl Harbor -- and arrived at Long Beach on 9 March 1968. For the remainder of the year, the landing ship conducted exercises and local operations out of Long Beach

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

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

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; (No. 9) June 1966

River Patrol Force

Picture by Mike Wilson MM2 USS TORTUGA 1966

United States Naval Operations Vietnam Highlights; (No.10) July 1966

GAME WARDEN