U. S. Coast Guard
Port Safety and Waterways Detail - Vietnam
April 30, 1999.


Photos contributed by Captain Raymond Hertica, USCG (ret)
The Reason Why.
This photo, and the next, amply illustrate not only the need for port security, but the conplexity of it in a crowded harbor. The Saigon Port Complex on 26 August 1966. (U. S. Army photo. AVSG-S-6253-6/AGA-66, SP4 William H. Simmons, A-V PLT. 69th Signal BN (A).

Block 22 warehouse on Cholon Canal on 22 November 1966. (U. S. Army photo. AVSG-S-8939-18/AGA-66, SP4 William Wilhoff, III, A-V PLT. 69th Signal BN(A).
With or without protection.
Shell oil tanker sank by Viet Cong sappers at Nha Trang. The engineroom was completely flooded but ship and cargo was saved by Coast Guard superintendence. (circa 1966)

ML Lines freighter hit by Viet Cong recoiless rifle fire while enroute up the main ship channel to Saigon. Note the size of the port lights is nominally twelve inches. Compare this size to the darker hits. (circa 1966)
Instrument of Threat
The Viet Cong used any type of instrument in attempts to terrorize and destroy. Here a primitive naval mine was found at Nha Be in November 1966.
Not only Afloat.

Any thing was the target of the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. Here an oil storage tank at Qui Nhon in May 1967 was destroyed.


The Guys Who Did It.

In true Coast Guard tradition, the entire staff of the PS&W detail was but four men. (L-R) YN1 Harris, BMC Wise, LCDR Knelp and CDR Ray Hertica. June 1967.
CDR Hertica trains a U. S. Army military policeman in port security patrol work. July 1967.
Interservice Cooperation
Saigon Port area field inspection. (L-R) Colonel Vern E. Johnson, USA, Provost Marshal 1st Logistical Command (1st LOGCmd), Commander Raymond C. Hertica, USCG, and Lt. Commander Walter H. Riddle, USCG. (USCG Photo, JO2 David Jimenez, USCG 8 Oct 1967)

CDR. Ray Hertica, USCG,(R) discusses recommendations for port security with Col. Vern E. Johnson (L).(USCG Photo, JO2 David Jimenez, USCG 8 Oct 1967)

With Time for Charity

Throughout the war the Coast Guard supported a home for blind orphan girls. The girls in this photo are wearing clothing donated by Coast Guard wives. In the background (L-R) are Commander Oliver, USCG, Shipping Advisor and Captain Laforte, Commander, CG Activities Vietnam. The names of the adult women and nuns are not known. (USN Photo. Jan. 1967)

Ray Heritca helps distribute clothing at a Saigon orphange. The clothing was donated by Coast Guard wives.(USN Photo. Jan. 1967)

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COAST GUARD WARRIORS--PART OF THE MIX