574:, often fired from behind earthen bunkered positions. Engagements were brief and violent, with the ambushers often slipping away into the undergrowth when the boats located the source of attack and began to concentrate their return fire. When attacked the boats would accelerate out of the hot zone, turn and then return as a group, firing as many of their guns as they could bring to bear. They would power past the ambush point, turn and return to attack again until the ambushers were either killed or slipped away. Though most cruising and patrolling was done at 8 to 10 knots, the boats could reach a top speed of 32 knots. Thick brush and vegetation in the delta provided excellent cover for the escaping ambushers. Casualties taken among the river crews were high. Casualties suffered among the VC were difficult to assess, as they would take their dead and wounded away from a firefight. Discovering newly dug graveyards was one of the few ways to confirm VC losses.
1329:
1258:
1129:
1179:
1219:
724:
1201:
947:, which was engaged in a naval gunfire support mission in the same general area, came under attack from an unidentified jet aircraft. The jet fired two missiles at the ship: one exploded 200 yards (180 m) off the port beam; and the other close aboard to port, showering the ship with fragments. No sailors were injured, and the missiles caused only minor structural damage to the ship. At 03:09, while
712:
1233:
1104:
391:
243:
1165:
1147:
952:
into the chief petty officers' mess and nearby spaces, killing one sailor and wounding two others. The ship took evasive action but temporarily lost radar contact with the aircraft. At 03:16, two more missiles hit the ship, destroying the gunners' store and damaging other spaces, including the engineers' workshop, the seamen's mess, the missile director room, the
357:, in which the falling projectile's primer struck the fixed firing pin at the base of the mortar tube, but a unique lanyard firing weapon in which the projectile was still loaded into the muzzle. The gunner could "fire at will" by the use of the lanyard. The weapon had been tested in the 1950s and discarded as the U.S. Navy lost interest in the system. The
1915:
495:
1328:
35:
879:
stopped to observe the scene and saw two aircraft appeared off its beams again with lights on. The boat commander contacted the marine observer and inquired about their status. The marines told him that they could not identify the aircraft because they did not have their identification, friend or foe
376:
In the latter half of 1967, 46 Mark II boats, with a modified deck house set further back from the bow. The newer boats also had round port holes (replacing larger sliding windows) in the aft superstructure. From 1969 through 1972, 33 Mark IIIs, which were a larger version of the Mark IIs, arrived in
841:
was struck by two missiles, one struck the cabin just below the pilothouse on the port side, the other hit the engine room. The boat sank in four minutes. Four of its crewmen were killed, and two others badly injured. The remaining crew managed to swim free from the sinking craft and cling to a life
613:
was lost that same year in an ambush when it was hit by fire from a 57 mm recoilless rifle. Its controls destroyed and coxswain killed, it ran aground at speed. When the crew ran out of ammunition it had to be abandoned. It was recovered the next day but was too badly damaged to be repaired, so
340:
Detroit marine diesel engines rated at 480 horsepower (360 kW) each, with a design range from 320 nautical miles (590 km) at 21 knots (39 km/h) to about 750 nautical miles (1,390 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h). The normal complement for a Swift Boat was six: an officer in charge
545:
Swift Boats generally operated in teams of three to five. Each boat had an officer in charge, one of whom would also be placed in overall charge of the mission. Their missions included patrolling the waterways, searching water traffic for weapons and munitions, transporting South
Vietnamese marine
1276:
Former U.S. Navy
Vietnam veterans, from the Swift Boat Sailors' Association, visited Malta in 2010 and said the Malta Swifts were the last two still in service, out of hundreds that were built. One of the two patrol boats headed back to the United States to become a memorial in summer 2012 at the
951:
was searching a 5-mile radius area between the coast and Tiger Island with its radar, it detected a single aircraft tracking east. The aircraft was not squawking IFF. An attempt was made to identify the aircraft by visual gun direction personnel on the bridge. Five minutes later a missile slammed
553:
When the Swift Boats began making forays up the waterways into the interior of the delta, they initially took the carriers by surprise, causing them to drop their materials and run off into the overgrowth. Occasionally a short firefight would break out. As it became clear that control of the
865:
was 3 miles (4.8 km) from the river mouth, crewmembers observed two sets of aircraft lights off the port and starboard beam, about 300 yards (270 m) away and 100 feet (30 m) above the water. The boat commander immediately got on the radio and requested permission to engage the
1086:
The M2 machine gun was replaced by a domestically produced 12.7 mm NSV gun, which had fewer jamming problems and was easier for the crews to maintain. The electronic and communication systems were also overhauled. Some PCFs captured have a DsHK HMG and an AGS-17 AGL mounted on top.
557:
For the Swifts, coming back down river was always more dangerous than going up river. The passage of a patrol assured their eventual return, providing an opportunity for the VC. Ambushes were typically short lived affairs, set up at a river bend or in a narrow canal that restricted the
874:
came about, increased speed and moved away from the kill zone while bringing its .50-caliber guns to bear against an aerial target hovering at 1,000 feet (300 m) with lights blinking. The aircraft decreased altitude and turned off its lights. After a short time,
956:
checkout room, and the chiefs' mess (again). This second attack killed an officer and wounded other sailors. As the aircraft turned to make a third pass, one of the ship's gun turrets fired five rounds and the aircraft turned and retreated. Fourteen minutes later
541:
The Mekong Delta is composed of ten thousand square miles of marshland, swamps and forested areas. The region is interlaced by rivers and canal ways. Controlled by the VC, the interior waterways of the Mekong Delta were used to transport supplies and weapons.
443:
Most of the 193 PCFs built were used by the U.S. Navy in
Vietnam and the two training bases in California. About 80 of the boats constructed were sold or given away to nations friendly to the United States. The original training base for Swift Boats was at
861:, which had arrived on the scene at 01:50 to continue the search for survivors, noticed illumination rounds being fired that were not their own. Opting to investigate, the officer in charge ordered the boat to speed to the Cua Viet River. When
972:, Commander Seventh Fleet, appointed Rear Admiral S. H. Moore, Commander Task Group 77.1/70.8, to conduct an informal investigation into the various firing incidents occurring between 15 and 17 June. The board determined that Air Force
522:, led to the incorporation of Swifts to patrol the 1,500 miles (2,400 km) of rivers and canals of Vietnam's interior waterways. Swift Boats continued to operate along the Vietnamese coastal areas, but with the start of Admiral
352:
ammunition box on the stern, improved habitability equipment such as bunks, a refrigerator and freezer, and a sink. The 81 mm combination mortar mounted on the rear deck was not a gravity firing mortar as used by the Army and
1344:, the vessel was awarded to the college in 1995 and has been used in oceanographic research and education since then. It is berthed at JEB Little Creek and operates in and around Chesapeake Bay. The second operational PCF,
810:
On the night of 15/16 June 1968, U.S. marine aircraft spotters on the ground began reporting unidentified helicopters near the DMZ. The first report stated that four helicopters had been detected and were proceeding toward
308:(NAVADGRP MACV) staff study titled "Naval Craft Requirements in a Counter Insurgency Environment," published 1 February 1965. The study was positively received, and the Navy began to search for sources. Sewart Seacraft of
1296:
and the worst peace-time accident suffered by
Maltese services personnel – killed five AFM soldiers and two policemen when illegal fireworks about to be dumped into the sea exploded on the bow of the small patrol boat.
554:
waterways was being contested, the VC developed a number of tactics to challenge the U.S. Navy. They set up ambushes, built obstructions in the canals to create choke points and began to place mines in the waterways.
1356:
There are two Swift Boats preserved in static displays in the United States. Both are former U.S. Navy Swift Boats that were originally stationed in
California to train PCF crews. One is located at the
1352:
in the service of Malta) is operational in San Diego, California at the
Maritime Museum of San Diego. The boat makes regular runs on weekends and is staffed with former Swift Boat sailors as narrators.
341:(skipper), a boatswains mate, a radar/radioman (radarman), an engineer (engineman), and two gunners (quartermaster and gunner's mate). In 1969, the crew was supplemented with a Vietnamese trainee.
538:
area in the southern tip of
Vietnam. Here they patrolled the waterways and performed special operations, including gunfire support, troop insertion and evacuation, and raids into enemy territory.
907:
then observed numerous lighted aircraft that appeared to be helicopters in the northern part of the area. These aircraft approached the U.S. vessels and made firing runs with their lights off.
2185:
2303:
943:
to conduct a surveillance mission in the vicinity of Tiger Island in attempt to flush out any enemy helicopters or waterborne craft operating from there. At 01:18 on the 17th,
2259:
336:
The Swift Boats had welded aluminum hulls about 50 feet (15 m) long with 13 feet (4.0 m) beam, and draft of about five feet (1.5 m). They were powered by a pair of
324:, which appeared nearly ideal. The Navy bought their plans, and asked Sewart Seacraft to prepare modified drawings that included a gun tub, ammo lockers, bunks, and a small
1604:
2229:
2583:
1028:
attacks on the 17th, however, no physical evidence supported these findings. Later research of the incident with surviving veterans and a review of salvage reports from
1485:
2129:
870:
received a single rocket from seaward at a low trajectory. The rocket passed a couple of feet over the main cabin and exploded in the water ten feet from the boat.
518:
limited their seaworthiness in open waters. These limitations, plus the difficulties being encountered in the interior waterways by the smaller, more lightly armed
1156:
1870:
459:, California, where it remained for the duration of the war. Though not a deep water boat, PCF training boats frequently transited from Mare Island, through the
819:
and by radar. Over the course of the night, Air Force pilots reported 19 additional helicopter sightings. On this same evening the guided missile heavy cruiser
620:
was lost to a rocket attack in 1969. Several other Swift Boats had been lost to river mines, but had been salvaged and either repaired or used for spare parts.
1309:
2102:
880:(IFF) transponders turned on. At 02:35, the aircraft near the beach fired 40–50 rounds of .50-caliber tracer fire at the PCF. All rounds landed astern.
1358:
348:
machine guns in a turret above the pilot house, an over-and-under .50-caliber machine gun – 81 mm mortar combination mounted on the rear deck, a
1440:
2487:
1320:
A Swift Mk.3-class PB-353 physically restored and converted to museum display at the re-launched
Philippine Navy Museum, Fort San Felipe, Cavite.
1625:
965:
about hostile aircraft in the area, came under attack by an unidentified aircraft. Lookouts and sonar confirmed a near miss astern by a missile.
915:
also returned fire intermittently for approximately 75 minutes. Neither vessel was damaged in the engagement; there were no personnel injured.
2177:
815:, just off the North Vietnamese coast at an altitude of 700–1,000 feet (210–300 m). These spotters observed the aircraft visually, using
2515:
2426:
2207:
891:, now back on the scene was attacked by a fixed-wing aircraft, which made two attack runs against the vessel. Both the commanding officer of
305:
1972:
344:
The first two PCFs were delivered to the Navy in late August 1965. The original water taxi design had been enhanced with two .50 caliber
2396:
2036:
1762:
2457:
1896:
1552:
1116:, taken from the former South Vietnam Navy. M2 HMG and other American-installed components replaced with NSV HMG or a DsHK and AGS-17.
408:
260:
2529:
2501:
2472:
1957:
1906:
430:
282:
2251:
1432:
1401:
1008:
on the 17th. From the positions of
American vessels and attacking aircraft, the board concluded that Air Force aircraft attacked
980:
missiles on 17 June at 01:15 and one at 03:15 that same day. Fragments of
Sparrow missiles complete with serial numbers found on
973:
785:
2221:
2076:
1600:
471:, California in December 1969. This was the only Swift Boat lost during training operations. No crewmen were lost in the event.
2007:
1173:: The MN GC-201 Comandante Torrijos and MN GC-202 Presidente Porras acquired from the US in the 1980s for the Panamanian Navy.
328:. The Navy used those enhanced plans to request bids from other boat builders. Sewart Seacraft was chosen to build the boats.
2155:
1436:
1370:
445:
412:
264:
2125:
1452:
590:
1835:
502:
The first Swift Boats arrived in South Vietnam in October 1965. The boats were initially used as coastal patrol craft in
2578:
1278:
780:
361:
maintained the gun/mortar system before the Navy incorporated it into the PCF program. Many boats also mounted a single
1332:
A preserved PCF 104 boat in the middle, located at the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument, Naval Amphibiious Base Coronado.
511:
2593:
483:
354:
401:
253:
221:
to interdict Vietcong movement of arms and munitions, transport South Vietnamese forces and insert SEAL teams for
2588:
1408:
1381:
Those who served on the boats in Vietnam and later became politicians include Nebraska Governor and U.S. Senator
744:
358:
2281:
2099:"South Vietnamese Navy Crewmembers on PCFs · Swift Boat Crew and Responsibilities · Swift Boat Sailors Memorial"
494:
1466:
on June 30, 2008, Swift Boat veterans objected to the prevalent use of the verb "swiftboating" as this type of
1210:
1068:
926:
812:
337:
1986:
1113:
1064:
830:, Cap Lay and Tiger Island. At 00:10 on the 16th, an unidentified aircraft fired three rockets or missiles at
2098:
2573:
753:
478:
units was the marshland that forms the northern shoreline of San Francisco Bay. This area, now known as the
1642:
988:
confirmed these findings. The case was therefore quite clear with regard to these two attacks on 17 June —
2553:
2365:
1192:
827:
676:
2304:"Swift Boat Sailors Association Memorial Ceremony - Honoring the 50 Swift Boat Sailors "Still on Patrol""
2255:
933:
643:
623:
When Vietnamization was implemented, several Swift Boats were turned over to the South Vietnamese Navy.
503:
34:
2337:
1459:" has entered American political jargon associating swift boat service with political smear tactics.
1482:, PBR, 32-foot (9.8 m) long, all fiberglass boat, with twin water jet propulsion, used on rivers.
1444:
1362:
515:
1470:
attack, stating that it is disrespectful to the men who served and died on the PCFs during Vietnam.
217:, initially to patrol the coastal areas and later for work in the interior waterways as part of the
2058:
1138:
772:
531:
479:
558:
maneuverability of the boats. A wide variety of portable weapons were used in attacks, including
1670:
1479:
1394:
1029:
969:
937:
820:
527:
519:
460:
368:
The original order for 50 boats was followed shortly by an additional order for 54 more Mark Is.
309:
214:
1513:
2525:
2511:
2497:
2483:
2468:
2453:
2422:
2388:
1953:
1902:
222:
2361:
2032:
1754:
1366:
1052:
843:
559:
325:
218:
1556:
1242:
1188:
996:
had been the victims of friendly fire. The board also investigated the 16 June attacks on
816:
530:" riverway interdiction strategy, their primary area of operations soon centered upon the
362:
349:
2072:
1684:
1931:
Steffes, p.68-71, official U.S. Navy OinC (Officer In Charge) PCF-12 After Action Report
1284:
The museum has a display paying tribute to the Maltese servicemen who died on board the
2342:
2225:
2181:
1386:
1134:
1072:
321:
2317:
2151:
826:, operating near the DMZ, also began reporting helicopter activity in the vicinity of
2567:
1919:
1292:) during an accident that occurred on September 7, 1984. The incident – known as the
1224:
1206:
977:
953:
911:
received heavy caliber automatic weapons fire from these aircraft and returned fire.
854:
729:
716:
692:
680:
602:
456:
2537:, August 9, 1968, Vol. 92 No. 6; "Viet Nam War: Fatal Error" (The World/Vietnam War)
2522:
War on the Rivers: A Swift Boat Sailor's Chronicle of the Battle of the Mekong Delta
2003:
1456:
1420:
1044:
535:
523:
210:
1575:
1340:
is operated by Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Formerly
1076:
2446:
1898:
War in the Shallows: U.S. Navy and Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam 1965-8
1416:
1412:
1293:
1184:
1080:
647:
475:
452:
390:
345:
242:
226:
107:
498:
PCFs carry a group of South Vietnamese marines up a narrow canal for insertion.
1823:
1404:
1382:
664:
468:
317:
313:
1700:"The United States Coast Guard's Piggyback 81mm Mortar/.50 cal. machine gun"
1656:
1448:
1390:
919:
514:(PAVN) forces in South Vietnam. However, the design's shallow draft and low
507:
1722:
1039:
shortly after the attack, found that the rocket entry holes in the hull of
486:
unit PBRs) up until 1995, when Mare Island was scheduled for base closure.
17:
1699:
1043:
were 76.2mm in size—the size of a standard helicopter rocket carried by a
1257:
1238:
1048:
767:
606:
1949:
1109:
711:
598:
415: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
365:
in the forward peak tank, just in front of the forward superstructure.
267: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
589:, were lost in rough seas at the mouth of the Cua Viet River near the
2289:
1170:
2357:
849:
arrived on scene at 01:30. As soon as the survivors were on board,
695:
incident due to an unrelated incident in the same area the next day
463:
to cruise either north or south along the Pacific Ocean coastline.
2450:
White Water, Red Hot Lead: On Board US Navy Swift Boats in Vietnam
1626:"Việt Nam trang bị súng phóng lựu tự động AGS-17 cho giang thuyền"
1152:
571:
563:
493:
1918:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
1083:. The Swift Boats are still active in the Vietnam People's Navy.
1369:; the second Swift Boat is on the Naval Special Weapons Base at
1312:
commemorating the island's maritime heritage on 10 August 2011.
567:
547:
1336:
There are two operational PCFs in the United States today. R/V
384:
236:
2554:
HNSA Ship Page: Swift Boats to visit as museums and memorials
2558:
899:
positively identified the aircraft as a "jet." The crews of
1723:"Notes on Mk 2 Mod 0 and Mod 1 .50 Caliber MG/81mm Mortar"
1075:
in 1975. The PCFs were quickly used in VPN operations at
2494:
Swift Boat Down: The real story of the sinking of PCF-19
2419:
Encyclopedia of Politics, the Media, and Popular Culture
2346:, David K. Shipler, May 28, 1986. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
1657:"WATCH: The Brown Water Navy and Swift Boats of Vietnam"
1035:, the ship that recovered the bodies and codebooks from
2548:
209:, were all-aluminum, 50-foot (15 m) long, shallow-
918:
On the afternoon of 16 June, Task Unit 77.1.0 ordered
857:
for a medevac to Danang. In the meantime, the crew of
1016:
on the 16th and that American aircraft also attacked
506:, interdicting seaborne supplies on their way to the
2465:
U.S. Small Combatants: An Illustrated Design History
1671:"NEW PATROL BOATS: Swiftships' swift boats for Iraq"
1447:
Kerry's military record was attacked by a political
2033:"PCF 816 Swift Boat - Maritime Museum of San Diego"
1262:: Khmer Rouge, captured from the US and Khmer Navy.
577:The first Swift Boat to be lost during the war was
1943:Swift Boat Down: The real story of the sinking of
1685:"Swiftships: The Sea's Best Aluminum Water Vessel"
1601:"Khám phá vũ khí mới trên tàu PCF VN sau nâng cấp"
1407:commanded a Swift Boat when he served in Vietnam.
2222:"Updated: Patrol boat explosion tragedy recalled"
2073:"Jane's Fighting Ships - Philippines swift boats"
2027:
2025:
1373:, California, the original home of PCF training.
148:2x General Motors 12V71"N" Detroit marine diesels
2389:"Veterans Long to Reclaim the Name 'Swift Boat'"
2338:The Vietnam War and the Congressman of the 1980s
1643:"Photos of the Swift Boat at the US Navy Museum"
1486:List of patrol vessels of the United States Navy
1304:as a memorial to those killed in the explosion.
2524:Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 2004.
2508:Operation Market Time: The Early Years, 1965–66
1079:and other islands to repel the invasion of the
636:
581:, which was lost to a mine in 1966. Two boats,
2447:https://books.google.com/books?id=8qgaDgAAQBAJ
2152:"Jane's Fighting Ships - Thailand swift boats"
2004:"Jane's Fighting Ships - Cambodia swift boats"
1824:"Coastal Squadron One; 22 May 1966 Sinking of
1157:Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta
961:, now at general quarters due to reports from
609:. All three of these boats were lost in 1966.
166:2x 0.50 caliber machine gun (top) (US-based)
8:
2208:"Swift Boat takes vets, public back in time"
2178:"Veteran patrol boat to head back to the US"
2126:"Swift Boat takes vets, public back in time"
1576:"PATROL CRAFT FAST | Homeland Magazine"
1507:
1505:
884:responded with machine-gun and mortar fire.
1998:
1996:
1890:
1888:
1886:
1884:
1882:
1880:
853:departed the scene to drop them off at the
837:At 01:00 on 16 June 1968 in the same area,
156:32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph) (Mk I)
1822:Wasikowski, Lawrence J. (April 26, 2008).
633:
2318:"Full Citations of Living Recipients K-L"
1547:
1545:
1543:
1541:
1539:
1537:
1535:
431:Learn how and when to remove this message
283:Learn how and when to remove this message
2584:Patrol vessels of the United States Navy
2478:Gugliottia, Guy, Yeoman, Neva Sullaway,
1327:
474:The most frequent training area for the
320:for companies operating oil rigs in the
27:Type of coastal and riverine patrol boat
2467:, United States Naval Institute, 1987
2124:Tribune, San Diego Union (9 May 2013).
1749:
1747:
1745:
1620:
1618:
1616:
1614:
1501:
597:, was lost in a rescue effort during a
1901:. Naval History and Heritage Command.
1838:from the original on 24 September 2015
1637:
1635:
1595:
1593:
1591:
1589:
1587:
1585:
1570:
1568:
1566:
482:State Wildlife Area, was also used by
29:
2368:from the original on 25 November 2005
1973:"Chuyên trang Infonet Báo VietnamNet"
1055:holes, which would have been larger.
7:
2232:from the original on 21 October 2013
1698:Wells II, William R. (August 1997).
413:adding citations to reliable sources
306:Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
265:adding citations to reliable sources
2252:"Maritime Stamp issue by MaltaPost"
1603:(in Vietnamese). Soha. 2014-06-18.
2417:Cogan, Brian; Kelso, Tony (2009).
2262:from the original on 27 April 2014
2188:from the original on 28 April 2012
2158:from the original on 18 March 2017
2079:from the original on 18 March 2017
1423:during riverine combat in a PCF.
300:The Swift Boat was conceived in a
25:
2358:"What, Exactly, Is a Swift Boat?"
2132:from the original on 4 March 2016
2105:from the original on 4 March 2016
2010:from the original on 4 March 2016
1514:"Remembering the 193 Swift Boats"
2286:Historic Naval Ships Association
2039:from the original on 7 July 2016
1913:
1607:from the original on 2014-06-20.
1256:
1231:
1217:
1199:
1177:
1163:
1145:
1127:
1102:
936:guided-missile destroyer Hobart
722:
710:
389:
241:
191:Quarter inch thick aluminum hull
64:Sewart Seacraft (now Swiftships)
33:
2559:Swift Boat Sailors' Association
2549:PCF-45 story, by Robert Shirley
2421:. ABC-CLIO. pp. 155, 335.
2399:from the original on 2009-04-24
2356:Bowers, Andy (25 August 2004).
1987:"Giá súng đa năng trên tàu PCF"
1765:from the original on 2015-09-06
451:In 1969, training was moved to
400:needs additional citations for
252:needs additional citations for
1371:Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
1051:helicopter and not Sparrow or
797:1 helicopter allegedly damaged
446:Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
122:51 ft (16 m) (Mk II)
74:
1:
2480:Swift Boats at War in Vietnam
1453:Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
1059:Vietnam People's Navy service
225:(COIN) operations during the
181:1x AGS-17 (Vietnamese-based)
119:50 ft (15 m) (Mk I)
2387:Zernike, Kate (2008-06-30).
1759:Maritime Museum of San Diego
1279:Maritime Museum of San Diego
1058:
834:, but none hit the vessel.
2610:
1871:"Patrol Craft, Fast (PCF)"
1389:, and Arizona Congressman
1067:managed to capture 107 of
968:The next day Vice Admiral
484:United States Navy Reserve
178:1x DsHK (Vietnamese-based)
2482:. Stackpole Books, 2017.
2452:. Published by Casemate.
1455:. Ever since, the term "
791:
760:
735:
703:
653:
641:
627:Controversy over loss of
546:units and inserting Navy
359:United States Coast Guard
175:1x NSV (Vietnamese-based)
169:1x 81mm mortar (US-based)
97:
47:
32:
1211:Republic of Vietnam Navy
1069:Republic of Vietnam Navy
1020:on the 17th. Unlike the
568:.50 caliber machine guns
512:People's Army of Vietnam
213:vessels operated by the
1941:Steffes, James (2005),
1895:Sherwood, John (2015).
1308:was also depicted on a
679:& Cửa Việt Rivers,
614:was salvaged instead.
338:General Motors 12V71"N"
140:3 ft (0.91 m)
132:13 ft (4.0 m)
98:General characteristics
56:PCF (Patrol Craft Fast)
1411:Kerry was awarded the
1333:
1288:(the sister vessel of
1193:Philippine Coast Guard
736:Commanders and leaders
499:
316:' predecessor), built
2256:The Malta Independent
1553:"Boat Specifications"
1385:, a recipient of the
1331:
1310:Maltese postage stamp
1114:Vietnam People's Navy
1065:Vietnam People's Navy
934:Royal Australian Navy
895:and the commander of
792:Casualties and losses
644:Operation Market Time
504:Operation Market Time
497:
2439:General bibliography
2228:. 7 September 2009.
1755:"PCF 816 Swift Boat"
1393:, who served in the
1363:Washington Navy Yard
929:Theodore E. Chandler
866:aircraft. At 02:25,
663:~0030 - 0400 hours (
601:at the mouth of the
467:sank in a storm off
409:improve this article
372:Mark II and Mark III
302:Naval Advisory Group
261:improve this article
2579:Patrol boat classes
2445:Daly, Dan (2017). [
2184:. 10 January 2012.
1628:. 16 November 2015.
1139:Khmer National Navy
773:fixed-wing aircraft
691:Determined to be a
605:on the approach to
490:Vietnam War service
480:Napa Sonoma Marshes
172:1x Mk 19 (US-based)
2520:Symmes, Weymouth
2463:Friedman, Norman.
2393:The New York Times
2258:. 28 August 2011.
1989:. 6 November 2015.
1702:. Vietnam Magazine
1673:. 26 October 2011.
1480:Patrol Boat, River
1464:The New York Times
1402:Secretary of State
1395:United States Navy
1334:
1004:and the attack on
970:William F. Bringle
781:point-class cutter
500:
461:Golden Gate Bridge
310:Berwick, Louisiana
215:United States Navy
2594:Vietnam War ships
2516:978-1-4415-9049-7
2510:, Xlibris, 2009,
2496:, Xlibris, 2005
2428:978-0-313-34379-7
1858:War on the Rivers
1810:War on the Rivers
1797:War on the Rivers
1784:War on the Rivers
1737:War on the Rivers
1462:In an article in
1400:U.S. Senator and
1377:Notable personnel
1300:The AFM retained
808:
807:
751:LTJG Ronald Fritz
749:LTJG Peter Snyder
699:
698:
637:Sinking of PCF-19
560:recoilless rifles
441:
440:
433:
293:
292:
285:
223:counterinsurgency
205:), also known as
199:Patrol Craft Fast
195:
194:
16:(Redirected from
2601:
2589:Riverine warfare
2492:Steffes, James
2488:978 081 171 9599
2433:
2432:
2414:
2408:
2407:
2405:
2404:
2384:
2378:
2377:
2375:
2373:
2353:
2347:
2335:
2329:
2328:
2326:
2324:
2314:
2308:
2307:
2300:
2294:
2293:
2288:. Archived from
2278:
2272:
2271:
2269:
2267:
2248:
2242:
2241:
2239:
2237:
2218:
2212:
2211:
2204:
2198:
2197:
2195:
2193:
2174:
2168:
2167:
2165:
2163:
2148:
2142:
2141:
2139:
2137:
2121:
2115:
2114:
2112:
2110:
2095:
2089:
2088:
2086:
2084:
2069:
2063:
2062:
2055:
2049:
2048:
2046:
2044:
2029:
2020:
2019:
2017:
2015:
2000:
1991:
1990:
1983:
1977:
1976:
1969:
1963:
1962:
1938:
1932:
1929:
1923:
1917:
1916:
1912:
1892:
1875:
1874:
1867:
1861:
1854:
1848:
1847:
1845:
1843:
1819:
1813:
1806:
1800:
1793:
1787:
1780:
1774:
1773:
1771:
1770:
1751:
1740:
1733:
1727:
1726:
1718:
1712:
1711:
1709:
1707:
1695:
1689:
1688:
1681:
1675:
1674:
1667:
1661:
1660:
1653:
1647:
1646:
1639:
1630:
1629:
1622:
1609:
1608:
1597:
1580:
1579:
1572:
1561:
1560:
1555:. Archived from
1549:
1530:
1529:
1527:
1525:
1520:. Swiftships.com
1509:
1367:Washington, D.C.
1338:Matthew F. Maury
1281:in California.
1261:
1260:
1250:Non-State Actors
1237:
1235:
1234:
1223:
1221:
1220:
1205:
1203:
1202:
1183:
1181:
1180:
1169:
1167:
1166:
1151:
1149:
1148:
1133:
1131:
1130:
1108:
1106:
1105:
817:Starlight Scopes
768:Mi-4 helicopters
728:
726:
725:
715:
714:
655:
654:
634:
532:Cà Mau Peninsula
436:
429:
425:
422:
416:
393:
385:
288:
281:
277:
274:
268:
245:
237:
219:brown-water navy
37:
30:
21:
2609:
2608:
2604:
2603:
2602:
2600:
2599:
2598:
2564:
2563:
2545:
2540:
2506:Steffes, James
2441:
2436:
2429:
2416:
2415:
2411:
2402:
2400:
2386:
2385:
2381:
2371:
2369:
2355:
2354:
2350:
2336:
2332:
2322:
2320:
2316:
2315:
2311:
2302:
2301:
2297:
2280:
2279:
2275:
2265:
2263:
2250:
2249:
2245:
2235:
2233:
2220:
2219:
2215:
2206:
2205:
2201:
2191:
2189:
2176:
2175:
2171:
2161:
2159:
2150:
2149:
2145:
2135:
2133:
2123:
2122:
2118:
2108:
2106:
2097:
2096:
2092:
2082:
2080:
2071:
2070:
2066:
2057:
2056:
2052:
2042:
2040:
2031:
2030:
2023:
2013:
2011:
2002:
2001:
1994:
1985:
1984:
1980:
1971:
1970:
1966:
1960:
1940:
1939:
1935:
1930:
1926:
1914:
1909:
1894:
1893:
1878:
1869:
1868:
1864:
1855:
1851:
1841:
1839:
1821:
1820:
1816:
1807:
1803:
1794:
1790:
1781:
1777:
1768:
1766:
1753:
1752:
1743:
1734:
1730:
1720:
1719:
1715:
1705:
1703:
1697:
1696:
1692:
1683:
1682:
1678:
1669:
1668:
1664:
1655:
1654:
1650:
1641:
1640:
1633:
1624:
1623:
1612:
1599:
1598:
1583:
1574:
1573:
1564:
1551:
1550:
1533:
1523:
1521:
1512:Sage, Darrell.
1511:
1510:
1503:
1499:
1494:
1476:
1429:
1379:
1326:
1318:
1274:
1269:
1255:
1252:
1243:Royal Thai Navy
1232:
1230:
1218:
1216:
1200:
1198:
1189:Philippine Navy
1178:
1176:
1164:
1162:
1146:
1144:
1128:
1126:
1123:
1103:
1101:
1098:
1093:
1071:PCFs after the
1061:
803:
801:
800:1 PCF destroyed
783:
778:
770:
752:
750:
748:
723:
721:
709:
683:
662:
632:
593:, and a third,
492:
437:
426:
420:
417:
406:
394:
383:
374:
363:M60 machine gun
334:
298:
289:
278:
272:
269:
258:
246:
235:
43:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
2607:
2605:
2597:
2596:
2591:
2586:
2581:
2576:
2574:Military boats
2566:
2565:
2562:
2561:
2556:
2551:
2544:
2543:External links
2541:
2539:
2538:
2532:
2518:
2504:
2490:
2476:
2461:
2458:978-1612004785
2442:
2440:
2437:
2435:
2434:
2427:
2409:
2379:
2348:
2343:New York Times
2330:
2309:
2295:
2292:on 2008-05-09.
2273:
2243:
2226:Times of Malta
2213:
2199:
2182:Times of Malta
2169:
2143:
2116:
2090:
2064:
2050:
2021:
1992:
1978:
1964:
1958:
1933:
1924:
1907:
1876:
1862:
1849:
1832:swiftboats.net
1814:
1801:
1788:
1775:
1741:
1728:
1713:
1690:
1676:
1662:
1648:
1631:
1610:
1581:
1562:
1559:on 2019-12-30.
1531:
1500:
1498:
1495:
1493:
1490:
1489:
1488:
1483:
1475:
1472:
1428:
1425:
1387:Medal of Honor
1378:
1375:
1325:
1322:
1317:
1314:
1273:
1270:
1268:
1265:
1264:
1263:
1251:
1248:
1247:
1246:
1228:
1214:
1196:
1174:
1160:
1142:
1135:Khmer Republic
1122:
1119:
1118:
1117:
1097:
1094:
1092:
1089:
1073:Fall of Saigon
1060:
1057:
1047:-manufactured
978:AIM-7E Sparrow
806:
805:
798:
794:
793:
789:
788:
786:F-4 Phantom II
775:
763:
762:
758:
757:
756:Dominic Damico
742:
738:
737:
733:
732:
719:
706:
705:
701:
700:
697:
696:
689:
685:
684:
675:
673:
669:
668:
659:
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639:
638:
631:
625:
491:
488:
439:
438:
397:
395:
388:
382:
379:
373:
370:
333:
330:
322:Gulf of Mexico
297:
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291:
290:
249:
247:
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193:
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91:
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86:
83:
79:
78:
70:
66:
65:
62:
58:
57:
54:
50:
49:
48:Class overview
45:
44:
38:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2606:
2595:
2592:
2590:
2587:
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2580:
2577:
2575:
2572:
2571:
2569:
2560:
2557:
2555:
2552:
2550:
2547:
2546:
2542:
2536:
2533:
2531:
2530:1-57510-109-2
2527:
2523:
2519:
2517:
2513:
2509:
2505:
2503:
2502:1-59926-612-1
2499:
2495:
2491:
2489:
2485:
2481:
2477:
2474:
2473:0-87021-713-5
2470:
2466:
2462:
2459:
2455:
2451:
2448:
2444:
2443:
2438:
2430:
2424:
2420:
2413:
2410:
2398:
2394:
2390:
2383:
2380:
2367:
2363:
2359:
2352:
2349:
2345:
2344:
2339:
2334:
2331:
2319:
2313:
2310:
2306:. 5 May 2017.
2305:
2299:
2296:
2291:
2287:
2283:
2277:
2274:
2261:
2257:
2253:
2247:
2244:
2231:
2227:
2223:
2217:
2214:
2210:. 9 May 2013.
2209:
2203:
2200:
2187:
2183:
2179:
2173:
2170:
2157:
2153:
2147:
2144:
2131:
2127:
2120:
2117:
2104:
2100:
2094:
2091:
2078:
2074:
2068:
2065:
2060:
2059:"Panama Navy"
2054:
2051:
2038:
2034:
2028:
2026:
2022:
2009:
2005:
1999:
1997:
1993:
1988:
1982:
1979:
1974:
1968:
1965:
1961:
1959:1-59926-612-1
1955:
1951:
1947:
1944:
1937:
1934:
1928:
1925:
1921:
1920:public domain
1910:
1908:9780945274773
1904:
1900:
1899:
1891:
1889:
1887:
1885:
1883:
1881:
1877:
1872:
1866:
1863:
1859:
1853:
1850:
1837:
1833:
1829:
1827:
1818:
1815:
1811:
1805:
1802:
1798:
1792:
1789:
1785:
1779:
1776:
1764:
1760:
1756:
1750:
1748:
1746:
1742:
1738:
1732:
1729:
1724:
1717:
1714:
1701:
1694:
1691:
1687:. March 2018.
1686:
1680:
1677:
1672:
1666:
1663:
1658:
1652:
1649:
1644:
1638:
1636:
1632:
1627:
1621:
1619:
1617:
1615:
1611:
1606:
1602:
1596:
1594:
1592:
1590:
1588:
1586:
1582:
1577:
1571:
1569:
1567:
1563:
1558:
1554:
1548:
1546:
1544:
1542:
1540:
1538:
1536:
1532:
1519:
1515:
1508:
1506:
1502:
1496:
1491:
1487:
1484:
1481:
1478:
1477:
1473:
1471:
1469:
1465:
1460:
1458:
1454:
1450:
1446:
1442:
1438:
1434:
1426:
1424:
1422:
1421:Purple Hearts
1418:
1414:
1410:
1406:
1403:
1398:
1396:
1392:
1388:
1384:
1376:
1374:
1372:
1368:
1364:
1360:
1354:
1351:
1347:
1343:
1339:
1330:
1324:United States
1323:
1321:
1315:
1313:
1311:
1307:
1303:
1298:
1295:
1291:
1287:
1282:
1280:
1271:
1266:
1259:
1254:
1253:
1249:
1244:
1240:
1229:
1226:
1225:United States
1215:
1212:
1208:
1207:South Vietnam
1197:
1194:
1190:
1186:
1175:
1172:
1161:
1158:
1154:
1143:
1140:
1136:
1125:
1124:
1120:
1115:
1111:
1100:
1099:
1095:
1090:
1088:
1084:
1082:
1078:
1074:
1070:
1066:
1056:
1054:
1050:
1046:
1042:
1038:
1034:
1033:
1027:
1023:
1019:
1015:
1011:
1007:
1003:
999:
995:
991:
987:
983:
979:
976:launched two
975:
971:
966:
964:
960:
955:
954:RIM-24 Tartar
950:
946:
942:
941:
935:
931:
930:
924:
923:
916:
914:
910:
906:
902:
898:
894:
890:
885:
883:
878:
873:
869:
864:
860:
856:
855:Cua Viet Base
852:
848:
847:
840:
835:
833:
829:
825:
824:
818:
814:
799:
796:
795:
790:
787:
782:
776:
774:
769:
765:
764:
759:
755:
746:
743:
740:
739:
734:
731:
730:United States
720:
718:
717:North Vietnam
713:
708:
707:
702:
694:
693:friendly fire
690:
687:
686:
682:
681:South Vietnam
678:
674:
671:
670:
666:
661:June 16, 1968
660:
657:
656:
652:
649:
645:
640:
635:
630:
626:
624:
621:
619:
615:
612:
608:
604:
603:Perfume River
600:
596:
592:
588:
584:
580:
575:
573:
569:
565:
561:
555:
551:
549:
543:
539:
537:
533:
529:
525:
521:
517:
513:
509:
505:
496:
489:
487:
485:
481:
477:
472:
470:
466:
462:
458:
457:San Pablo Bay
454:
449:
447:
435:
432:
424:
414:
410:
404:
403:
398:This section
396:
392:
387:
386:
380:
378:
371:
369:
366:
364:
360:
356:
351:
347:
342:
339:
331:
329:
327:
323:
319:
315:
311:
307:
303:
295:
287:
284:
276:
266:
262:
256:
255:
250:This section
248:
244:
239:
238:
232:
230:
228:
224:
220:
216:
212:
208:
204:
200:
190:
187:
186:
180:
177:
174:
171:
168:
165:
164:
163:
160:
159:
155:
152:
151:
147:
144:
143:
139:
136:
135:
131:
128:
127:
121:
118:
117:
116:
113:
112:
109:
105:
102:
101:
96:
92:
89:
88:
84:
81:
80:
77:
76:
71:
68:
67:
63:
60:
59:
55:
52:
51:
46:
41:
36:
31:
19:
2534:
2521:
2507:
2493:
2479:
2464:
2449:
2418:
2412:
2401:. Retrieved
2392:
2382:
2372:13 September
2370:. Retrieved
2351:
2341:
2333:
2321:. Retrieved
2312:
2298:
2290:the original
2285:
2276:
2264:. Retrieved
2246:
2234:. Retrieved
2216:
2202:
2190:. Retrieved
2172:
2162:23 September
2160:. Retrieved
2146:
2136:23 September
2134:. Retrieved
2119:
2109:23 September
2107:. Retrieved
2093:
2083:23 September
2081:. Retrieved
2067:
2053:
2043:23 September
2041:. Retrieved
2014:23 September
2012:. Retrieved
1981:
1967:
1946:
1942:
1936:
1927:
1897:
1865:
1857:
1852:
1840:. Retrieved
1831:
1825:
1817:
1809:
1804:
1796:
1791:
1783:
1778:
1767:. Retrieved
1758:
1736:
1731:
1721:Bob Stoner.
1716:
1704:. Retrieved
1693:
1679:
1665:
1651:
1557:the original
1522:. Retrieved
1517:
1467:
1463:
1461:
1457:swiftboating
1435:nominee for
1430:
1399:
1380:
1355:
1349:
1345:
1341:
1337:
1335:
1319:
1305:
1301:
1299:
1289:
1285:
1283:
1275:
1267:Preservation
1085:
1062:
1040:
1036:
1031:
1025:
1021:
1017:
1013:
1009:
1005:
1001:
997:
993:
989:
985:
981:
967:
962:
958:
948:
944:
939:
928:
921:
917:
912:
908:
904:
900:
896:
892:
888:
886:
881:
876:
871:
867:
862:
858:
850:
845:
838:
836:
831:
822:
813:Tiger Island
809:
704:Belligerents
628:
622:
617:
616:
610:
594:
586:
582:
578:
576:
564:B-40 rockets
556:
552:
544:
540:
536:Mekong Delta
524:Elmo Zumwalt
501:
473:
464:
450:
442:
427:
418:
407:Please help
402:verification
399:
375:
367:
355:Marine Corps
343:
335:
301:
299:
279:
270:
259:Please help
254:verification
251:
206:
202:
198:
196:
73:
39:
1860:pp. 120-122
1427:Controversy
1417:Bronze Star
1413:Silver Star
1359:Navy Museum
1316:Philippines
1294:C23 tragedy
1227:: U.S. Navy
1185:Philippines
1081:Khmer Rouge
844:USCGC
842:raft until
648:Vietnam War
476:Mare Island
453:Mare Island
346:M2 Browning
318:water taxis
233:Development
227:Vietnam War
108:patrol boat
18:Swift Boats
2568:Categories
2403:2010-03-27
1769:2015-07-06
1706:16 January
1518:Swiftships
1492:References
1468:ad hominem
1433:Democratic
1419:and three
1405:John Kerry
1383:Bob Kerrey
1348:(formerly
1053:Sidewinder
1049:Mi-4 Hound
938:HMAS
909:Point Dume
901:Point Dume
893:Point Dume
889:Point Dume
887:At 02:40,
851:Point Dume
846:Point Dume
771:1 unknown
747:John Davis
469:Bodega Bay
421:April 2023
314:Swiftships
296:Conception
273:April 2023
207:Swift Boat
145:Propulsion
42:on patrol.
2362:Slate.com
2236:15 August
2192:15 August
1497:Citations
1449:527 group
1437:president
1391:Jim Kolbe
1091:Operators
1030:USS
927:USS
920:USS
821:USS
804:2 wounded
665:UTC+07:00
516:freeboard
510:(VC) and
508:Viet Cong
377:Vietnam.
106:Riverine
90:Preserved
82:Completed
75:Operators
69:Operators
2397:Archived
2366:Archived
2266:27 April
2260:Archived
2230:Archived
2186:Archived
2156:Archived
2130:Archived
2103:Archived
2077:Archived
2037:Archived
2008:Archived
1842:July 13,
1836:Archived
1763:Archived
1605:Archived
1474:See also
1239:Thailand
932:and the
802:5 killed
761:Strength
672:Location
642:Part of
534:and the
528:SEALORDS
161:Armament
61:Builders
2282:"PFC 1"
1950:Xlibris
1856:Symmes
1808:Symmes
1795:Symmes
1782:Symmes
1735:Symmes
1451:called
1445:Senator
1443:, then-
1431:As the
1346:PCF-816
1110:Vietnam
1096:Current
1077:Thổ Chu
828:Bến Hải
741:Unknown
677:Bến Hải
599:monsoon
550:teams.
381:Service
2528:
2514:
2500:
2486:
2471:
2456:
2425:
2323:May 7,
1956:
1945:PCF-19
1905:
1826:PCF-41
1812:p. 173
1799:p. 136
1786:p. 148
1524:29 May
1236:
1222:
1204:
1191:&
1182:
1171:Panama
1168:
1150:
1132:
1121:Former
1107:
1045:Soviet
1041:PCF-19
1037:PCF-19
1026:Hobart
1022:Boston
1014:PCF-19
1010:Boston
1002:PCF-19
998:Boston
994:Boston
990:Hobart
986:Hobart
982:Boston
963:Hobart
949:Hobart
945:Boston
940:Hobart
913:PCF-12
905:PCF-12
897:PCF-12
882:PCF-12
877:PCF-12
872:PCF-12
868:PCF-12
863:PCF-12
859:PCF-12
839:PCF-19
832:Boston
823:Boston
777:2 PCFs
727:
688:Result
629:PCF-19
618:PCF-43
611:PCF-41
595:PCF-77
587:PCF-76
583:PCF-14
572:AK-47s
350:mortar
332:Mark I
326:galley
114:Length
40:PCF-32
1739:p. 95
1342:PCF-2
1272:Malta
1153:Malta
1018:Edson
1006:Edson
959:Edson
922:Edson
579:PCF-4
465:PCF-8
455:near
211:draft
188:Armor
153:Speed
137:Draft
2535:Time
2526:ISBN
2512:ISBN
2498:ISBN
2484:ISBN
2469:ISBN
2454:ISBN
2423:ISBN
2374:2004
2325:2020
2268:2014
2238:2012
2194:2012
2164:2016
2138:2016
2111:2016
2085:2016
2045:2016
2016:2016
1954:ISBN
1903:ISBN
1844:2018
1708:2012
1526:2024
1441:2004
1409:LTJG
1350:P-24
1063:The
1032:Acme
1024:and
1012:and
1000:and
992:and
984:and
974:F-4s
903:and
766:2-4
745:LTJG
658:Date
585:and
570:and
548:SEAL
526:'s "
520:PBRs
197:The
129:Beam
103:Type
72:See
53:Name
1439:in
1397:.
1365:in
1361:at
1306:P23
1302:P23
1290:P24
1286:P23
754:Col
607:Huế
591:DMZ
448:.
411:by
263:by
203:PCF
85:193
2570::
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2391:.
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2284:.
2254:.
2224:.
2180:.
2154:.
2128:.
2101:.
2075:.
2035:.
2024:^
2006:.
1995:^
1952:,
1948:,
1879:^
1834:.
1830:.
1761:.
1757:.
1744:^
1634:^
1613:^
1584:^
1565:^
1534:^
1516:.
1504:^
1415:,
1241::
1209::
1187::
1155::
1137::
1112::
925:,
784:1
779:1
646:,
566:,
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304:,
229:.
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2018:.
1975:.
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1911:.
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1828:"
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20:)
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