(Photos donated by former EN2 Lars B. Ostervold (Ozzie). Ozzie was aboard the USCGC Point Caution (WPB 82301) 1966 - 1967.
Posing in the Fall of 1966 on the bridge of the CCG Point Caution (WPB 82301) are (L-R) EN2 Ostervold, Tinh (Vietnamese Liaison), GM3 Flint and Seaman Glaude. Tinh served with the Coast Guard until Division 12 was decommissioned in 1970. At the fall of Vietnam to the communist forces he was interned in a "reeducation" camp for eight years before making his escape to Hong Kong. Tinh now lives with his family in the Washington, D.C. area.
EN2 Ostervold and CS2 Specht take a moment on deck. The "Aussie" hat was popular for Coasties in Vietnam.
Boarding sampans off Da Nang near Cu Lao Cham.
Shown here is a VN woman opening the engine compartment of a sampan. This became standard procedure to have the Vietnamese open anything on the sampans. This engine is a one-cylinder diesel typical of small sampans. Most engines received no maintenance because of superstitions of the fishermen. Many believed if the oil was changed the engine would die.
The 14-foot Boston Whaler was one the most useful tools for the WPBs. Used extensively for skimmer operations on the open ocean or in rivers it gave the cutters extra flexibility.
The Whalers were powered by Mercury 35HP outboards. These engines provided the power and ruggedness to push the small boat at high speeds despite being, at times, overloaded with men and weapons. Note the "racing stripe" added by a crewman.
Detainees were common. This relatively large group were taken along the DMZ in Markettime patrol area 1A1. Normally most were detained because they were fishing in restricted zones or were crossing the DMZ into North Vietnam.
Kids. The WPB crews worked with children. These two were fed an American delicacy - a bologna sandwich. The photo, taken from the half deck forward of the bride gives some good interior details. The Coast Guardsman to the right is unknown.