Second Saturday: Brown Water Bluejackets, Vietnam: The Navy in the Mekong Delta

The Naval Historical Foundation is dedicating this "Second Saturday" to the heroic actions of American Sailors who fought a rather unconventional naval war on the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta during our involvement in the Vietnam War.
Join with historians John Sherwood and Tom Cutler as they provide historical overviews of the U.S. Navy's organization, platforms and tactics followed by a roundtable discussion with three remarkable veterans of the brown water warfare - Navy Cross Recipient Vice Adm. David Robinson, Seawolf pilot Capt. Richard Krulis and River Division 535 Patrol Officer Lt. Rolland Kidder.
John Sherwood's book is available as a free download from the Navy History and Heritage Command: www.history.navy.mil/research...

[@davidhart4789]

Was stationed aboard the USS Benawah APB-35 (Shown at time 6:12) from April 69 to December 70. The second day I was onboard I ran into a from my hometown who only had 2 more days until he was going home. Seemed crazy meeting him half way around the world. Also met Chief Gunners Mate Carl Matheny, who was from Leon, WV, just 10 miles from my house. When I left there I went to a reserve training ship, USS Harwood, in Charleston, SC. first day there I ran into Chief Matheny again. When it came time to give me my reupholster talk they chose him to give it to me, but, I was ready to get out.

[@vanthai5738]

Thanks to ALL veterans for your service.

[@tonyvillella5457]

The MRF at Dong Tam was moored next the the US Army Ammo Dump. The Dump took a direct hit from Mortar fire and was blown up. Numerous casualties resulting in the moving of the ammo dump. This took place in if my memory serves me April of 1969. I was 10 klicks away that night on patrol and the ground shook and the fireball lit up the sky for several minutes. I was with the 9th Infantry Division home based at Dong Tam Sept 68- August 69.

[@scrambletheseawolves7744]

Wish you would have contacted us to post up the documentary SCRAMBLE THE SEAWOLVES. We would have sent a copy to post up.

[@sheilalarkin1291]

My husband was on the Mekong River Patrol Force (PBR-Task Force 116) in 1966-‘67. He was part of Operation Game Warden. Also, moved Seal teams up and down the river and into Cambodia. Thank you Seawolves for protecting our River boys. My husband has little to say about his tour other than he never wants to go back.

[@benbailey2037]

My dad was bob bailey does he remember him? He also never talks to me about it. Im his son Ben

[@benbailey2037]

My dad a well. Says he had a job and wanted to get back to his family. But that all he says. I respect that! But I had a bunch of photos. But they were lost in all our moving.. He is still alive. And im probably sure he wont know him .. But I thank for your service sir. Best wishes. Ben

[@benbailey2037]

Yup I see he his deploment is different. But thanks for sharing

[@markmark2080]

Served on LST1032 during "66/'67, Brown and Blue Water Navy, made five hauls up to Can Tho and five into Saigon, besides many coastal locations, hauling in all manner of supplies. Spent about three months total on the rivers, interesting times and many memories, including pulling a PBR off a sandbar one time.

[@Dogmeat1950]

Out standing video! My Father was in Hal3 Det5. Gunner & Crew Chief.

[@kenmaples6856]

My brother Terry Maples was a member of the Seawolves. Huey unit 306.❤

[@user-lk2cj2qs1d]

Great vid! Can't find any vids on the Navy advisors in the junk force

[@raymondsprouse9286]

THIS WAS MY NAVY1968 TO 1971

[@leewahler3058]

The after pintle mount on PBRs usually mounted. 50 machine gun. Or a 60mm mortar

[@stevenjones1171]

I was on MSB's out of Nha Be 70-71

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

Jim Morrison's father was in command of the task force in the Gulf of Tonkin.

[@leewahler3058]

Most of the MRF HEAVY boats were modified LCM-8. Major rework with significant armor.

[@MrCurtisbwp]

My experience was the riverine force, the seals, kit carsons, ROCs (bad ass), mercenaries, and CIA. I GOT MY LAST RITES BUT I LIVED.

[@bhoran1152]

The army also had boats in Vietnam

[@K4K96]

Big clanging balls.

[@leewahler3058]

The strategic mission of SEALORDS was to build a tight maritime barrier with as many units as possible

[@eddiesimms9301]

The MRF!!... MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE, which consisted of elements of both Navy, Coast Guard and two combat Brigade's of the US Army's 9th Infantry Division. My Dad arrived in Vietnam in March of 1968, he was assigned to B co 3rd BN 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Division HQ was located at Dong Tam, their base camp was called "Bear Cat." The 9th Division had the assignment of going inland to patrol the muddy waters of the Mekong Delta region which consisted of a maze of streams, rivers and canels that were filled with leeches. The rice paddies stretched as far as the eye could see and they too were full of leeches, the wasps and red ants would eat you alive!! And there was the DEEP THICK MUD that could pull a combat soldier down to his waist especially with all of his gear that could weigh up to 50lbs plus. My Dad survived 12mos of a livin' hell, he came away a host of medals, a purple heart and the C.I.B...Combat Infantryman's Badge..Hell yeah!!...SFC Eddie Simms Sr Retired after 20yrs of service and passed away in November of '83....RIP

[@patrick-scotttopps5399]

@eddiesimms9301 Thank you for sharing & thank you're father for his service... Vietnam was Hell ! Bless our Boy's 🇺🇲

[@Bobby-di1vr]

Anyone see the map behind the first speaker ?

[@MrCurtisbwp]

As a brown water vet, I never saw water skies

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

"Apocalypse Now" put these guys on the map.I was a "titless WAF in USAF. lol

[@krishayward5259]

My late father Dixon Hayward was on a navy pbr and an alpha boat. Mobile riverine force Mekong Delta. Miss him alot.

[@winstonparker6]

Tunnel Rats... NON GRATUM ANUS RODENTUM P.O.W. M.I.A. Never Forget

[@vivahernando1]

Shouldn’t the Marines have been in the Mekong Delta and the Army in the Highlands and and DMZ area? I never understood that logic

[@haroldmichaud6333]

the Marines were already committed to the north - that's why in 1965- 1966 they trained 3/47- 4/47- 3/60 at Fort Riley for Mobile Riverine Force - from May to Dec 1966 and Jan was the ride over and more training at Bear Cat till the ships came in and went to Dong Tam to start our mission . A Co 4 Bn 47 Inf 9 Th Div ( RIVER RAIDERS )

[@vincentparry1541]

Pbr mobile base2

[@user-gl4zc6me4u]

I was in RivDiv 511 until I invited our OPS officer to go a couple rounds, at which, instead of being courtmartialed, I was sent on a pariah's trip among various divisions until I got medevacked in '69. They didn't want the contagion of mutiny to spread. He was a coward who would go on the river only when he had to and spend any time close to the beach crowding the coxswain out of the flat behind the splinter shields. I am amazed to find information about us brown water sailors. Up until now, if, when someone who found out I'd been in Viet Nam and didn't look at me as though I killed and ate babies, asked what I'd done, I'd answer PBR's and get a completely blank look. You have to tell them about "Apocalypse Now" and then add that nothing we did looked anything like what they did in the movie. I didn't surf, and I didn't see even one tiger. Was Lt. Krulis in Binh Thuy in '68 and '69? His name is familiar.

[@tealtazmanian966]

Although this is all VERY fascinating it is extremely difficult to follow. SOMETIMES CRITICISM IS A HELP so that's my Motivation and intention here. You guys need to practice your speeches by ACTUALLY SPEAKING YOUR MATERIAL LOUD until you all get to a point that you aren't stumbling...That's taught in High School SPEECH 101. The CONSTANT STUMBLING is extremely distracting and makes it difficult to follow you. AGAIN, this is fascinating MATERIAL to me and has HISTORICAL Value but I had to discontinue watching around the 33minute mark. The constant hesitation mid sentence and word stumbling was making me irritable just trying to follow you... SORRY GUYS, but that's just the truth and I've never been called a conformist nor politically correct. I expect a lot of slang thrown at me here but then at 70+ yrs old It just easily bounces so throw away...LOL