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Record 6 Name: JACK NILES SMC RIVDIV 532 Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In! From: VA. BEACH, VA. Time: 1998-03-07 02:15:21 Comments:
I WAS ON THE APPLE IN 69 , THE APPLE WAS OUR SUPPLY BASE WHILE WE WERE IN TRA CU ON THE VAM CO TEY NUMBER TEN THAT. HAVE A GOOD LIFE GLAG THAT DID NOT BUY THE FARM. JFN
Record216 Name: Gary Roth Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Nebraska Time: 1999-05-22 20:38:33 Comments:
Was first stationed at Tan An (Sept.'69). Remember the inspections and the strip shows, boys?
River Division 573, worked it's way West. If I remember things right, we lived on the floating barracks/supply ship, at Tra Cu, on the Vam Co Tey river, it was called the "Apple". Smoked a lot of "Can Sa" on that barge.
We then got orders to go to Rach Gia, the advanced base there was called Rach Soi. Those orders scared the crap out of us because there was a lot of NVA activity due to the fact that it was so close to the Cambodian border, we were used to dealing with VC.
I spent a lot of time on the canals in night ambush, just 3 clicks from a NVA Prisoner of War camp. We had one incident of NVA troops trying to cross the border, they had been driven out of the nearby mountains by B-52's, I still remember the rumbling. When the fire-fight was over we went out into the field to get the body count. Any one out there remember any of this? Contact me?
I am pictured on Kent's Web site sitting on the bow of my boat, relaxing, playing the guitar with a couple of friends during some down time.
Record 224 Name: CLYDE LOVELL Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: orginally Louisiana now Texas Time: 1999-06-12 02:03:41 Comments:
I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR SITE. IT BROUGHT BACK SOME MEMORIES AND HELPED REFRESH MY MEMORY. I COULDN'T REMEMBER "ANNAPOLIS".
I WAS IN COUNTRY 1-70 TO 1-71. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING IN COUNTRY I WAS ASSIGNED TO AN ATC THAT WAS BEING TURNED OVER TO THE VIETNAMESE NAVY. I SPENT MOST OF MY TOUR AT GO DAU HA. A COUPLE TRIPS INTO CAMBODIA AND THE LAST FEW MONTHS OUT OF CAU MAU AND INTO THE U-MINH FOREST.
Record 296 Name: William H. Strobel, Jr. Website: Referred by: Lycos From: Warminster PA Time: 1999-11-23 15:54:05 Comments:
I served in Nam from Apr 1970 to Apr 1971. My duty
stations were many including Admin Officer for Mobile
Riverine Force in Dong Tam, Patrol Officer for RivDiv
153 out of Nha Be, CSO for RivRon 15 in Bin Thuy, and
finally Senior Advisor to RID-47 in Go Dau Ha.
Record 298 Name: Bob Clark Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Owosso, Michigan Time: 1999-11-26 02:10:05 Comments:
I arrived in Nam, March of 70 and was assigned to Riv Div 153 in Nha Be. Later when we turned the boats over i was a advisor with R.I.D.47 at Go Dau Ha. We are trying to find all the advisors with R.I.D.47 for a renunion July 4th weekend,2000.
Record 350 Name: Lary Wolff Website: Referred by: From a Friend From: Kansas Time: 2000-03-02 03:25:42 Comments:
Have been browsing your site. You've done a fine job. Enjoyed the pics as I was at some those same places. Started out with RD574 at Go Dau Ha on the Vam Co Dong and finished with 514 out of Chau Duc. Would like to hear from any others that were over there, especially ones from those Divisions. Keep up the good work and I'll check in again often.
Best of luck, Lary Wolff 574-514
Record 387 Many memories
Dan Parshall <parsh[ at ]localnet.com>
UNIT/SHIP= RivDiv 592, - BASE/location= Go Da Hau FROM= 1969, - Friday, April 14, 2000 at 18:43:09 (PDT)
Record 388 Many memories in Go Da Hau,1969 w/RivDiv 592
Dan Parshall <parsh[ at ]localnet.com>
UNIT/SHIP= RivDiv 592, - BASE/location= Go Da Hau FROM= 1969, - Friday, April 14, 2000 at 18:44:16 (PDT)
Record 405 LOOKING TO MAKE CONTACTS WITH AS MANY MEMBERS OF RIVER DIVISION 574 AS POSSIBLE. I WAS A GUNNERS MATE AND SERVED WITH 574 FROM AUGUST 68-AUGUST 69. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME WITH BASIC CONTACT INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF. I HAVE A SIZIBLE LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE 574 ALREADY. ONE SPECIAL CONTACT I'M LOOKING FOR IS A GUNNERS MATE J.B. WELLING OR WELLINGTON. NOT SURE OF THE LAST NAME. GREAT WEB SITE.
Paul Strong <pstrong[ at ]eastman.com>
UNIT/SHIP= River Division 574, - YRS= 68-69 - BASE/location= Nha Be, Chou Doc, Go Da Hau FROM= Kingsport, Tn - Tuesday, May 23, 2000 at 11:03:39 (PDT)
Record 458 I was on Zippo-5 in the early fall of 1969. I was in the delta area. I would like to contact any of the crew of Zippo 5 during that time. Ron Kirkwood
Ron Kirkwood <ron[ at ]ronkirkwood.com>
UNIT/SHIP= COMRIVRON 15/zippo 5, - YRS= 69 - BASE/location= Go Dau Ha Oklahoma City - Monday, August 28, 2000 at 20:24:46 (PDT)
Record 464 Truely a GREAT web site for the Brown Water Navy.
Paul Cagle <pwc01[ at ]earthlink.net>
UNIT/SHIP= Riv. Div. 532, - YRS= 67-69 - BASE/location= My Tho, Tra Cu, others FROM= Myrtle Beach, SC REFFERED By= Steve Crandall - Sunday, September 10, 2000 at 07:54:34 (PDT)
Record 471 Fantastic site Shipmate!!!! -BZ- What a fitting way to honor all our Brothers that didn't make it back...
To those of us that did make it I'll just say Welcome Home Brothers and Sisters....I guess most of remember the phrase,"It don't mean nothin" Well after all these years I have to say "It DID mean something"
In memory of Robert L. Blais EN3 PBR139 -Still On Patrol-
Bill Akin, BMCS, USN, Ret. <BrownH2o[ at ]aol.com>
UNIT/SHIP= PBR139 at RivSec 532, - YRS= Apr.68-Jan.69 - BASE/location= USS Hunt her down County , My Tho, TraCu FROM= Summerville , SC REFFERED By= Paul Cagle - Friday, September 15, 2000 at 00:05:52 (PDT)
Record 489 Fantastic site. Served aboard USS WHITE RIVER,transfered to PBR's and went to RivDiv 552 and stayed with RPG59 after the turnover. Would like to hear from some of my old shipmates.
Kenneth Hale <kennethr2000[ at ]yahoo.com>
UNIT/SHIP= USS White River LSMR 536 &RD552&RPG59 , - YRS= 68-71 - BASE/location= TraCu Thuy Nhon Tan Chau FROM= Brackettville, Tx REFFERED By= PBR-FVA - Friday, October 13, 2000 at 17:23:43 (PDT)
Record 523 I arrived in South Viet Nam on the last day of August 1969. My orders were for Danang and 45 minutes after my arrival there was a direct hit on the ammo dump. The damage was so great that my orders were changed, Went to NSA Saigon, for reasignment. Went to Ben Luc, Then to ATSB Go Dau Ha, spent 6 months there and my last 6 months in Viet Nam were on the YRBM 21.
Brent T. Lawson
Brent Lawson <Brent7671[ at ]excite.com>
UNIT/SHIP= YRBM 21/ATSB Go Dau Ha, - YRS= 69-70 - BASE/location= Vam Co Dong FROM= August 69, NV REFFERED By= Ken Dunwoody - Thursday, December 07, 2000 at 13:01:00 (PST)
Record 529 I was an advisor on VNN Aplha's and Tango's. Most of my tour was spent at the base at Go Dau Ha on the Vam Co Dong. In Dec. 1970 we went into the U Minh forest for a 36 day operation in support of the Vietnamese. That was the longest 36 days of my life. I finished my tour at Rach Soi. They sent us there because they said we rated a rest at a rear area.
John Calhoun <max2706[ at ]msn.com>
UNIT/SHIP= RID 40, - YRS= 70/71 - BASE/location= GoDauHa, U Minh Forest, Rach Soi - Thursday, December 14, 2000 at 09:52:21 (PST)
Record 530 I was an advisor on VNN Alpha's and Tango's. Most of my tour was spent at the base at Go Dau Ha on the Vam Co Dong. In Dec. 1970 we went into the U Minh forest for a 36 day operation in support of the Vietnamese. That was the longest 36 days of my life. I finished my tour at Rach Soi. They sent us there because they said we rated a rest at a rear area.
John Calhoun <max2706[ at ]msn.com>
UNIT/SHIP= RID 40, - YRS= 70/71 - BASE/location= GoDauHa, U Minh Forest, Rach Soi - Thursday, December 14, 2000 at 09:53:41 (PST)
Record 565 I would like to hear from other River Rat that were stationed there.
John Sletten <FreonJohn[ at ]aol.com>
- YRS= 1970 - BASE/location= ATSB TRA CU - Monday, January 22, 2001 at 21:17:50 (PST)
Record 582 STILL LOOKING FOR OLD ''BOAT MATES'' I WAS ON BOARD LCU1494 FOR 3 MONTHS UP IN 1 CORPS BEFORE GETTING TRANSFERRED DOWN TO NHA BE ON BOARD YFU4 THEN ONTO LCM814. LOOKING FOR PONCHO SATCH OR DAVE LCM814 [ OPERATION GIANT SLINGSHOT ]OPERATING INTO TRA CU, BEN LUC, OR MIKE CHRONOVIAT YFU 4[ THINK HE WAS CALIFORNIA ] OPERATING INTO SONG UN DOC, HA TIEN AN THOI. THANKS ...WELCOME HOME BROTHERS...BILL
BILL HERMANN <BCVNRR6970[ at ]AOL.COM>
UNIT/SHIP= LCU1494-YFU4-LCM814, - YRS= 69-70 - BASE/location= NSA DANANG , NHA BE FROM= PORT ORANGE , FL REFFERED By= JUST SURFED IN - Tuesday, February 06, 2001 at 06:58:31 (PST)
Record 591 started out in nha be april 6,69,took supplies up different rives to supply atsb.trying to find out if there any navy vets the fire fight that accoured within 2 weeks of my arrival to nam.we had a pbr escort one was hit we all fired even the lcm i was on had 2 50's,30,s a 60 and granade launcher.i was also stationed on a floating base on the cua lon river.during my 3 months there a navy seal was killed and a river sailor were killed.imtrying to find anyone with any info or questions..i was bm3 and moved around quiet a bit..i am also looking for help in my ptsd claim to the va...hope someone out there can remember something...thanks nam vet,welome home brothers
ray citerone <sunray010>
UNIT/SHIP= lst 's 6+8, - YRS= 69/70 - BASE/location= nha be,moc hoa,tuyen,ben keo tracu ben luc and go dau ha FROM= southampton, nj REFFERED By= compute - Monday, February 19, 2001 at 12:02:02 (PST)
Record 592 I was the coxswain on CCB 151-2 from the time it got there,until we turned her over to the vietnamese. In fact we were on the benewah waiting for the boats to arrive in country,the older boats were there,but not the river assault sq. 15,or 13 boats. We didnt have to wait long though. We outfitted them,and then ROCKED the DELTA. sNOOPYS NOSE AND ROCKET ALLEY werent mch fun. I was there the same time you were. I got out oct 69 MY EMAIL georgeriverrat[ at ]aol.com A BIG WELCOME HOME TO ALL the name is george michelbrink bm3
george michelbrink <georgeriverrat[ at ]aol.com>
UNIT/SHIP= RivRon 15 assault ccb, - YRS= 68-69 - BASE/location= riverrine base FROM= Aberdeen, wa REFFERED By= surfed in - Monday, February 19, 2001 at 19:35:38 (PST)
Guest Record 691 was one of a handful of Seabees who supported a PBR group at ATSB Tra-Cu on Operation Giant Slingshot. Tra Cu was a small plot of land 2inches above sealeval appox: 5 miles from the cambodian boarder. was there on TAD for 3 months, wound up staying 6 befor returning with my unit in Da Nang. the reason I extended there was simple...I worked and fought alongside the best dam men in the Navy. "all gave some and some gave all" May God bless all who served.
NAME = Richard A. Jones <EMAIL = moosegone[ at ]yahoo.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = Seabee's BASEs or LOCATIONS= Operation Giant Slingshot. Van Co Ta river ATSB Tra Cu YEARs in VIETNAM = 69-70 FROM WHERE = Easton, Pa.
- Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 18:49:40 (PDT)
Guest Record 692 ON BROWNWATER NAVY -- VIETNAM, SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO LOCATE
LT. BELL....WHEN I WAS WITH RAID 72, HE WAS MY SENIOR USN
ADVISOR......I HAVEN'T BEEN IN TOUCH WITH HIM SINCE NAM,
HOWEVER I KNOW HE GRADUATED FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY...DEGREE IN
PSYCOLOGY. IF YOU CONTACT DUKE UNIVERSITY, CHANCES ARE HE
CAN BE FOUND...AS AN ALUMNI, HE MORE THAN LIKELY HAS SOME
AFFILIATION. PLEASE RESPOND...H.BRUCE"MAC" McIVER-B33 03 62
NAME = H. BRUCE "MAC" McIVER <EMAIL = NAGRAID72[ at ]CS.COM> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = T-131-7, MACVSOG, RAID72-TF211 Naval Advisory Group-MACV BASEs or LOCATIONS= Dong Tam,Go Da Hau, Base Camp B-41 Detachment 5th SF,Rach Gia,Vi Thanh,MORE... YEARs in VIETNAM = 1969-70 FROM WHERE = CHARLESTON,CHERAW,SOCIETY HILL, South Carolina REFFERED By = BLACK OPS-Brownwater Navy,MACV
- Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 23:28:50 (PDT)
Guest Record 700 spent 12 mo with rivdiv91 ...Ben Tre, rocket alley,snoopys nose, rt66 all those great places
after I left rivdiv91 I went to the naval advisory group and formed a RVN navy group called RAID71 with Lt Bunnell, WO Coffin, and BM1 weber in Saigon , on the vam co and vam co dong rivers and a place called Tra Cu
NAME = ed hasior <EMAIL = ehasior[ at ]lucent.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = rivron9 rivdiv91 T-91-13 A-91-7 BASEs or LOCATIONS= dong tam tra cu YEARs in VIETNAM = 2 FROM WHERE = hilton head , sc
- Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 18:55:47 (PDT)
Guest Record 705 Among the many camps I was at along the Cambodian border, I spent several weeks at Tra Cu ATSB. I remember that as one wild place. Mortar attacks, parachute flares, the awesome miniguns on the C-47 gunship, etc. Tra Cu scared the crap out of me many times during our short stay.
For those of you who might've been based there, you might remember the 60 foot tall orange tower that supported our radar system. Our mission was to detect infiltration from HCM trail along the border.
Welcome home to all Vietnam vets!
Dave
NAME = David Stafford WEB SITE = http://pacer.calpoly.edu/tri/pacer/divad.html
<EMAIL = dstaffor[ at ]calpoly.edu> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = 25th Infantry Division Artillery, radar BASEs or LOCATIONS= Tra Cu, Go Dau Ha, Ben Cau, Ben Soi, Tay Ninh, Loc Giang, FSB Crook, FSB Washington YEARs in VIETNAM = 4/69 to 4/70 FROM WHERE = San Luis Obispo, CA REFFERED By = surfed in
- Monday, July 02, 2001 at 12:57:20 (PDT)
Record 826 Hi:
I was frequently in Tra Cu with my company. We worked regularly with the Navy along the banks of the Vam Co Dong Follows is an article I wrote:
During the late summer of 1969 the mission of the 1/27 changed from one of large company size reconnaissance in force operations to one of small unit (platoon and squad) ambush and interdiction operations. These operations were configured to deny the NVA supply access to the populated areas of Hau Niga Provence ( west of Cu Chi) and to stem the flow of supplies and troops flowing from the end of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Cambodia into the Saigon Area.
In late July 1969 the 1/27 relocated and constructed Fire Support Base Chamberlain on the Bao Tri ( provincial capital oh Hau Niga Provence) and the Duc Hua/Saigon Road which effectively cut of the flow of material moving south along the highway. The battalion then began operations to the west in areas that were former rice and pineapple fields ( now overgrown, laced with tunnels, supply caches and booby traps) the area extended to the west to the Vam Co Dong River and from the west banks of the river to the Cambodian border.
To accomplish the mission the combat companies were assigned to various RIF , interdiction and ambush duties throughout the AO the object being to create a maze of ambush and check points between the border and the populated areas that were adjacent to the Bao Tri/Duc Hua road. Part of the process assigned 1/27 troops to duty on the Vam Co Dong River in conjunction with the U.S. Navy and the RVN Navy. 1/27 companies were assigned on a rotating base to Tra Cu navel station which was at the intersection of the Vam Co Dong and the Tui Nau industrial canal. This station was approx. 5 miles from the end of the Parrots Beak and the terminus of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
The Tra Cu station contained a real mixed bag of forces and units : U.S. Navy Swift boat (PBR) detachment, RVN Navy with U.S. advisors operating as a River Assault and Interdiction unit with armored landing craft and monitor type vessels, A U.S. Army Infantry Company who operated with the Navy , A Special Forces detachment and a group of Cambodian Mercenaries one of who=s mission was planting listening devices along the Ho Chi Minh trail and monitoring NVA base camps in Cambodia, A military intelligence listing unit who monitored and processed the raw intelligence from the listening device, a 155mm Artillery Battery and a detachment of Air boats similar to the ones seen in the Florida everglades.
The activities along the river for the B Co 1/27 were fairly simple. We worked with the Navy stopping and monitoring river traffic. We were on alert as a rapid reaction force if the Special Forces got into trouble and we conducted RIF=s during the day and ambushes at night along the banks of the river at likely crossing points. A typical operation might be looking along the bank for signs of enemy activity, prepping the area with a small fire artillery fire mission to clear out the booby traps, landing a platoon of infantry and conducted reconnaissance the area looking for enemy activity, locating supply caches or stirring up a fight. Night operations were similar we split up the companies and put in ambush patrols at likely crossing points along the bank to lay in wait for enemy troops attempting to move across the river. Enemy contact was frequent but usually small units and resulted in the NVA being redirected back across the Cambodian border to their sanctuaries. The worst enemy was the booby traps along the crossing point and protecting the supply caches we uncovered. The majority of our casualties were booby trap related but during the course of the operations along the river we took several prisoners, produced some body count, and captured untold amount of weapons and supplies.
Were we successful? I think so. We saw the farmers move their fields back into former VC areas and reclaim land closer to the river. In addition when I arrived at FSB Chamberlain as it was being constructed you needed to go via heavily armed convoy to get to Duc Hua and then on to Ben Hua and Saigon. By the time the end of 1969 rolled around you thought nothing of taking a jeep and driving into the city like any other tourist.
Yea Wolfhounds !!!
Henry P Bergson
Cpt. Armor
B Co. 1/27 Infantry
25th Infantry Division
1969 - 1970
Photos: From Stars and Stripes Oct 2, 1969
From left to right
Cpt.Hank Bergson B 1/27 1Lt Rick Deandrea B 1/27 GM3 Rick Green RAID Team 71
Sp4 Richard Green B 1/27
From Stars And Stripes Sept 14, 1969
Left to Right: 1LT Winn Fowler B 1/27, GM3 Dick Green Raid team 71, 2LT John Arnold 25th Div Arty FO, 1LT Rick Deandrea B 1/27 , CPT Henry P. Bergson B 1/27
NAME = Henry P. Bergson <EMAIL = hank[ at ]nemra.org> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = Bco 1/27 Infantry 25th Div BASEs or LOCATIONS= CuChi, Chamberlain, TraCU YEARs in VIETNAM = Feb 69 -Feb 70
- Sunday, September 30, 2001 at 14:20:32 (PDT)
Record 826 Hi:
I was frequently in Tra Cu with my company. We worked regularly with the Navy along the banks of the Vam Co Dong Follows is an article I wrote:
During the late summer of 1969 the mission of the 1/27 changed from one of large company size reconnaissance in force operations to one of small unit (platoon and squad) ambush and interdiction operations. These operations were configured to deny the NVA supply access to the populated areas of Hau Niga Provence ( west of Cu Chi) and to stem the flow of supplies and troops flowing from the end of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Cambodia into the Saigon Area.
In late July 1969 the 1/27 relocated and constructed Fire Support Base Chamberlain on the Bao Tri ( provincial capital oh Hau Niga Provence) and the Duc Hua/Saigon Road which effectively cut of the flow of material moving south along the highway. The battalion then began operations to the west in areas that were former rice and pineapple fields ( now overgrown, laced with tunnels, supply caches and booby traps) the area extended to the west to the Vam Co Dong River and from the west banks of the river to the Cambodian border.
To accomplish the mission the combat companies were assigned to various RIF , interdiction and ambush duties throughout the AO the object being to create a maze of ambush and check points between the border and the populated areas that were adjacent to the Bao Tri/Duc Hua road. Part of the process assigned 1/27 troops to duty on the Vam Co Dong River in conjunction with the U.S. Navy and the RVN Navy. 1/27 companies were assigned on a rotating base to Tra Cu navel station which was at the intersection of the Vam Co Dong and the Tui Nau industrial canal. This station was approx. 5 miles from the end of the Parrots Beak and the terminus of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
The Tra Cu station contained a real mixed bag of forces and units : U.S. Navy Swift boat (PBR) detachment, RVN Navy with U.S. advisors operating as a River Assault and Interdiction unit with armored landing craft and monitor type vessels, A U.S. Army Infantry Company who operated with the Navy , A Special Forces detachment and a group of Cambodian Mercenaries one of who=s mission was planting listening devices along the Ho Chi Minh trail and monitoring NVA base camps in Cambodia, A military intelligence listing unit who monitored and processed the raw intelligence from the listening device, a 155mm Artillery Battery and a detachment of Air boats similar to the ones seen in the Florida everglades.
The activities along the river for the B Co 1/27 were fairly simple. We worked with the Navy stopping and monitoring river traffic. We were on alert as a rapid reaction force if the Special Forces got into trouble and we conducted RIF=s during the day and ambushes at night along the banks of the river at likely crossing points. A typical operation might be looking along the bank for signs of enemy activity, prepping the area with a small fire artillery fire mission to clear out the booby traps, landing a platoon of infantry and conducted reconnaissance the area looking for enemy activity, locating supply caches or stirring up a fight. Night operations were similar we split up the companies and put in ambush patrols at likely crossing points along the bank to lay in wait for enemy troops attempting to move across the river. Enemy contact was frequent but usually small units and resulted in the NVA being redirected back across the Cambodian border to their sanctuaries. The worst enemy was the booby traps along the crossing point and protecting the supply caches we uncovered. The majority of our casualties were booby trap related but during the course of the operations along the river we took several prisoners, produced some body count, and captured untold amount of weapons and supplies.
Were we successful? I think so. We saw the farmers move their fields back into former VC areas and reclaim land closer to the river. In addition when I arrived at FSB Chamberlain as it was being constructed you needed to go via heavily armed convoy to get to Duc Hua and then on to Ben Hua and Saigon. By the time the end of 1969 rolled around you thought nothing of taking a jeep and driving into the city like any other tourist.
Yea Wolfhounds !!!
Henry P Bergson
Cpt. Armor
B Co. 1/27 Infantry
25th Infantry Division
1969 - 1970
Photos: From Stars and Stripes Oct 2, 1969
From left to right
Cpt.Hank Bergson B 1/27 1Lt Rick Deandrea B 1/27 GM3 Rick Green RAID Team 71
Sp4 Richard Green B 1/27
From Stars And Stripes Sept 14, 1969
Left to Right: 1LT Winn Fowler B 1/27, GM3 Dick Green Raid team 71, 2LT John Arnold 25th Div Arty FO, 1LT Rick Deandrea B 1/27 , CPT Henry P. Bergson B 1/27
NAME = Henry P. Bergson <EMAIL = hank[ at ]nemra.org> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = Bco 1/27 Infantry 25th Div BASEs or LOCATIONS= CuChi, Chamberlain, TraCU YEARs in VIETNAM = Feb 69 -Feb 70
- Sunday, September 30, 2001 at 14:20:32 (PDT)
Record 837 I WAS STATIONED ON SEAFLOAT IN THE CAU LON RIVER.I WAS A BM3 OPERATING LCM'S 6'S AND 8'S AND SMALL CRAFT.I THINK I WAS THERE BETWEEN MAY OF 69 TO AUG OF 69.WHILE STATIONED THERE FOR MY 3 MONTHS TWO MEN WERE KIA,ONE A NAVY SEAL WITH A RECON TEAM THE OTHER A SAILOR,KIA AT A LATER DATE..BOTH WERE KIA AT NIGHT.I REMEMBER THEM BOTH BEING PUT INTO BODY BAGS.THE IMAGE OF THAT HAS NEVER LEFT ME.IM NOW FIGHTING THE VA FOR BENAFITS CONSERNING MY PTSD CLAIM.WITHOUT THE NAMES AND DATES THESE MEN DIED THE VA CANT HELP ME.I HAVE TO PROVE IT TO THEM ,BEFORE SEAFLOAT AND WHITIN THE FIRST 10 DAYS AT NHA BE I WAS INVOLVED IN A FIREFIGHT TAKING SUPPLIES TO EITHER MOC HOA OR GO DAU HA.WE WERE GOING AROUND A PLACE IN THE RIVER CALL HORSESHOE,WE ALSO HAD A PBR ESCORT.ONE PBR WAS HIT.WE WERE UNDER A ROCKET ATTACK.WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD BE PUT IN FOR THE COMBAT RIBBON,BUT NEVER RECEIVED IT.OTHER BASES I WAS AT WERE TUYEN,BEN KEO,TRACU,BEN LUC AND GO DAU HA.WE FRENQENTLY CAME UNDER RIFLE FIRE ON MOST OF THESE SUPPLY RUNS.AND ROCKET ATTACK AT SOME OF THE BASES.OUR LCM 8 WAS FITTED WITH 2-50 CAL,A 60 CAL,AND GERNADE LAUNCHERS,AND A 30 CAL.THE VA WILL NOT HELP MY CLAIM,UNLESS I CAN COME UP WITH THE NAMES AND DATES THESE MEN WERE KILLED AND PROOF I WAS IN A FIRE FIGHT.I WROTE FOR MY RECORDS AND THAY ONLY SHOW ME COMMING AND LEAVING NAM,WITH NO OTHER INFORMATION.AND I MUST PROVE TO THE VA ALL THIS HAPPENED TO ME.IM HOPING SOMEONE CAN REMEMBER ME OR THESE INCADENTS,IT WOULD REALLY HELP MY CLAM FOR PTSD.MY NAME IS RAY CITERONE..I DO REMEMBER A BOB NOLAN I WAS STATIONED WITH FROM NEW YORK.ALL THIS WAS UNDER OPERATION GIANT SLINGSHOT,IN TASK FORCE 214 I THINK,ITS HARD TO REMEMBER AFTER 30 YEARS.I HOPE ONE OF MY VET BROTHERS CAN HELP ME...WELCOME HOME MEN
NAME = RAYMOND CITERONE <EMAIL = SUNRAY010[ at ]AOL.COM> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = LCM8 AND LCM6 AND OTHER CRAFTS BASEs or LOCATIONS= NHA BA AND SEAFLOAT YEARs in VIETNAM = 4/4/69TO4/6/70 FROM WHERE = SOUTHAMPTON, NJ
- Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 10:10:10 (PDT)
Record 948 I really enjoy your website and I have lots of pictures of the Tra Cu area.
NAME = John W Sletten <EMAIL = FreonJohn[ at ]aol.com> BASEs or LOCATIONS= ATSB Tra Cu YEARs in VIETNAM = 1971 all FROM WHERE = Las Cruces, NM
- Friday, December 21, 2001 at 16:38:48 (PST)
Record 1153 Flew into Siagon, got weapons issued and had a jeep ride up to Ben Luc. Rode a heavy boat (from RID 44) from Ben Luc up the Vam Co Dong to Tra Cu. After being there a couple of months, RID 44 pulled out and was replaced by a PBR division, RPD 53. I was an RD3 stationed at Tra Cu as the radio operator. Passed traffic up and down the river from Ben Luc to Goh Da Ha(sp). Also would call in air support form the Sea Wolves, out of Ben Luc and occasionally from the Razorbacks (cobras) out of Cu Chi. Interesting time and I'm glad I went.
NAME = Tim Hancock WEB SITE = none
<EMAIL = benelli[ at ]refugemail.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = Uss Monticello LSD 35, RID 44, RPD 53 BASEs or LOCATIONS= Tra Cu, on the Vam Co Dong, Parott's beak, Cambodian border YEARs in VIETNAM = 1971 FROM WHERE = SLC, , Utah REFFERED By = Surfed in
- Sunday, March 31, 2002 at 19:58:36 (PST)
Record 1259 YOU HAVE A GREAT WEB SITE. KEEP UP YHE GOOD WORK. IF ANY ONE KNOWS THE WHERE ABOUT OF LCDR.F.B.ANDERSON I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HIS ADDRESS. SAW HIM LAST IN BINH THUY.
NAME = JOHN HUDSON <EMAIL = jhn[ at ]texoma.net> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = RIVER DIV.512 BASEs or LOCATIONS= BINH THUY,CHAU DOC,TRA CUE.YBM#20 YEARs in VIETNAM = 1969-1970 FROM WHERE = BLUE RIDGE, TEX.
- Friday, June 07, 2002 at 18:41:32 (PDT)
Record 1272 I was the coxswain on A-112-5 and we had been through the summer campaign in the delta. We were among the first five boat sent up to Tra Cu in Dec. of 68. WE patroled between Tra Cu and Go DA Hoa during dec & jan.Then RivDiv 112 came up to Tra Cu and the base really began to take shape. During dec and jan we sat up night ambushes and worked with the cambodian mercs. Now remember I know nothing of late 69 and 70 and the PBR's. I had no idea that Tra Cu was turned into a PBR base.
NAME = John W. Smith <EMAIL = JWS30133[ at ]hotmail.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = A-112-5 BASEs or LOCATIONS= Mrb YEARs in VIETNAM = 68&69 FROM WHERE = Odessa, Texas REFFERED By = just surf'n
- Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 13:44:02 (PDT)
Record 1439 Have been searching to find Riv Div 551 buddies in particular a engineman (EN2) Bob Meyers or Myers was in PBR class 80 - any emails from Riv Div 551 or sister Riv Div 514 would be very much appreciated. YRBM-16 was on Basac river near Chou Duc or Chou pho- patroled Vhin Te Canal-later stationed at Go Da Hau-patroled Vam Co Te & Vam Co Dong rivers
NAME = Mike Novitske (ski) GMG2 <EMAIL = mikenovitske[ at ]centurytel.net> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = Riv Div 551 - PBR 775 BASEs or LOCATIONS= YRBM-16 then land base Go Da Hau YEARs in VIETNAM = 6-69 to 6-70 FROM WHERE = Ripon, wi REFFERED By = surfing
- Saturday, September 21, 2002 at 10:33:25 (PDT)
Record 1497 I was in replacement class R13 from NIOTC (Vallejo) ...served in T-91-13 as the 20MM gunner, transfered to A-91-7 as the 20MM gunner, with captain BM2/c McAllister,EN3/c Cookie Caruthers,GMG3/c Chelefont, RM3/c Thomas and me,DC3/c Hasior....transfered to the RAID 71 Advisory team, MACV,and operation Slingshot in the Vam Co Tay river....Tra Cu Special forces camp....Call sign "far fetch 5"
NAME = Ed Hasior <EMAIL = ehasior[ at ]lucent.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = RivRon9 RivDiv91 T-91-13, A-91-7, RAID 71 Advisor BASEs or LOCATIONS= Dong Tam, Tra Cu YEARs in VIETNAM = 1968-1969 FROM WHERE = Hilton Head is, SC REFFERED By = surfed in
- Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at 10:59:33 (PDT)
Record 1528 I enjoyed the site and it brought back many memories and times. I have Super 8, color movies of some of our stop overs at YRBM 16 when we brought PBR-69 in for repairs from Tra Cu in Feb 69.
Thanks, Bob Stanton
NAME = Robert Stanton <EMAIL = notnats6[ at ]hotmail.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = PBR Div 592 and 532 BASEs or LOCATIONS= Na Be and Tra Cu YEARs in VIETNAM = 1968-69 FROM WHERE = Devine, , TX REFFERED By = Brown Water Log
- Saturday, November 02, 2002 at 11:05:56 (PST)
Record 1582 SERVED WITH RIVER ASSAULT SQ. 13 T-131-7:Trying to locate
**Corpman that was critically wounded March 31, 1969 on
T-131-7--firefight was on the Giao Hoa Canal-"rocket alley"
Kien Hoa Province approx. 7km NW of Ben Tre. Our boat took
2 direct B-40 rocket hits, AW fire. I was also wounded.
Haven't been able to find the Corpman for 33years! If anyone knows his name or can help me find him---PLEASE HELP.
I went on to serve with MACV Naval Advisory Group ATF212 and
MACV Naval Advisory Group ATF211 RAID72. If anyone can help in locating the Corpman WIA 3/31/69 e-mail or call [850]893-4432, P.O. Box 528, Tallahassee, Florida 32302. Thanks!
NAME = BRUCE "MAC" McIVER <EMAIL = raid72macvnag[ at ]aol.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = River Assault Sq. 13-T-131-7, MACV Naval Advisory Group ATF212, ATF211-RAID72 BASEs or LOCATIONS= Dong Tam, Moc Hoa, Go Da Ha, Rach Gia, Vi Than, Nam Can Ca Mau Peninsular-MACV NAG Saigon YEARs in VIETNAM = 1969-1970 FROM WHERE = Tallahassee, Florida REFFERED By = Self
- Friday, November 22, 2002 at 09:11:15 (PST)
Record 1669 Graduated from NIOTC Class 13-69, arrived at Nha Be in Jan 70. Was assinged as a crewman on A-44 (GMG1 Jervis) for a couple of weeks...later assigned to A-58 (GMG2 Jack Kitchura's boat). Around halfway through my tour, was transferred to RAD 152 and hooked up with the boat and crew at Da Nang. T-6 was BM1 Getty's boat, and we traveled south to Song Ong Doc. After leaving the Navy in Jan 1973, I went to college on GI Bill, entered Army ROTC and I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in July 1999. I look back on my time as a River Rat as possibly the finest period of my military career. Oh yeah, anyone else remember "Nobber Lil's" place in beautiful, downtown Nha Be?
Note: My time on T-6 was in RAD 152 vice 153. Obviously, there were only A boats in RAD 153 aka "The Delta Destroyers".
Best to all my Brothers in Arms...
Mike Spight
NAME = Mike Spight <EMAIL = spightmg[ at ]bv.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = RAD 153 (A-44 and A-58), RAD 153 (T-6) BASEs or LOCATIONS= Nha Be, Tuyen Nahn (sp?), Tra Cu, Song Ong Doc YEARs in VIETNAM = Jan 70-Jan 71 FROM WHERE = Leavenworth, KS REFFERED By = Surfed on in...
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Record 1715 PAUL was right TRA CU in this web about the 139 boat was part of Sling shot, but thier is a tra cu on the Bassac river it's was home to CG36 a VNN junk unit
NAME = DAVID L CUPP ENC/RET. <EMAIL = dcupp7211[ at ]wideopenwest.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = RIVSEC511,RIVDIV551,RIVDIV515, RPG58 BASEs or LOCATIONS= JUST about all of 4 and some of 3 AO YEARs in VIETNAM = 66/68 & 69?71 FROM WHERE = COLUMBUS, OH
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Record 1964 Would like to hear from any Navy (Brown Water) that served at Tra Cu, Go Da Hau, Tay Nihn, etc. - esp. boats (PBR) working with inserting and supporting the Rangers during the late '60's esp. '69. You guys were great...really treated us Army grunts super nice, and, on more than one occassion saved our bacon!
Phil Mayrand, Jr. 75th. Inf. Rangers '69
NAME = Phil Mayrand, Jr. <EMAIL = philmayrand[ at ]cs.com> UNITs SHIPs BOATs = Co. F, 75th. Inf. Long Range Patrol BASEs or LOCATIONS= Tra Cu, Go Da Hau, Tay Nihn YEARs in VIETNAM = 1969 FROM WHERE = Topsail Island, NC REFFERED By = Surfed in
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