"Article, Article!"

Everyone on Market Time Patrol, Coast Guard or Navy in I Corps or upper II Corps called the Navy's Coastal Surveilance Group in Da Nang. Article was it's call sign. Shown here at the Vietnamese Navy Base at Da Nang in 1968. (Photo courtesy of former RD3 Mark Bell, USN (inset) who served on PCF 69.)

RD3 Mark Bell, USN.

' Tater Bin Cover to First Aid Station.


GM2 John Mendyka holds the cover to what most WPB crews called the potato bin of the CGC Point Young (WPB 82303) The on-deck storage was for life jackets and flak jackets. The cover is an example of some of the fine craving done in the Philippines. What became of the cover is not known but had other uses during its Vietnam tour. At right it is being used by the Point Young's Chief Engineman to remove a fishhook from the foot of a girl. Her uncle stands by. (1967 photo courtesy of former GM2 John Mendyka)

More Pretty Boats.

A 1968 photo taken at Da Nang from on board CGC Point Young showing (L-R) YR 71, USS Gallup (PG 85), CGC Point Caution(WPB 82301), CGC Point Orient (WPB 82319), and CGC Point Welcome (WPB 82329). Note all three WPBs have different style lettering on tansom. An unidentified PCF is at the immediate left. At right is the Point Young underway on patrol. (Photos donated by former GM2 John Mendyka USCG)

Single Shot.

BM2 Joe Kleinpeter cleans his personal weapon on board the Point Banks (WPB 82327) in 1968. Kleinpeter "procured" this 60mm recoilless rifle from the U. S. Army Special Forces on Phu Quoc Island. This weapons was used successfully on numerous operations against the Viet Cong. On one expedition Kleinpeter took the weapon on board a Vietnamese Junk Force boat that was assisting in providing cover fire for Coast Guardsmen involved in a small boat expedition. Kleinpeter taught the VN crew how to load the weapon and then tap his helmet when the round was loaded. However, after firing the first round Kleinpeter waited for the tap that never came. He looked around and the VN crew were huddled in the after part of the boat under a canvas cover. Kleinpeter loaded and fired the rifle by himself and also put out fires caused by each successive back-blast. One of the last occasions the rifle was used on the Point Banks the CO not watching where he was firing broke out the bridge windows with the back blast. At that point the Squadron Commander ordered the weapons removed. Oddly, the 60mm LAW was kept on most WPBs and more than once a window fell victim -- again. (Photo donated by Joe Kleinpeter the current President of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association).

Just who are the enemy?
One of the greatest problem of insurgent warfare was identifying the enemy. Probably no where more difficult was it than among the fishermen. Many were just men feeding there families. Note the son holding his father's hand. (1968 photos donated by former GM2 John Mendyka USCG)

I'd read you your rights but you ain't got any!

CS2 Bob Burton, USCG, guards two prisoners (or detainees) taken in the day's boarding by the CGC Point Jefferson (WPB 82306). And more prisoners...
Note pair secured to the hatch combing by a single pair of leg irons. Some boats had a padeye welded to the deck to secure prisoners. Photos donated by CSC Robert O. Burton, USCG (ret).

Tell Me No Lies!

An unidentified Coast Guardsman (note shoulder holster) assists VNN liaison Ho Duck in interrogating a detainee. Many of the detainees were simply draft dodgers, however, it was difficult to tell. CGC Point Jefferson WPB 82306, 1968. Photos donated by CSC Robert O. Burton, USCG (ret).

Detainees and Questions.

1968 photo of prisoners taken by CGC Point Young in Division 11's area - the Gulf of Thailand. At right an unknown VNN liaision assigned to the Point Young questions a detainee. (Photo courtesy of former GM2 John Mendyka USCG)

Green Eggs and BLAM!

CS2 Bob Burton loads the 81mm mortar of the CGC Point Jefferson WPB 82306, during a 1968 fire mission. (Photo donated by CSC Robert O. Burton, USCG (ret).

"With one round Willie Peter ...."
GM2 John Mendyka (with mortar round) prepares to load the Point Young's 81mm mortar for firing at a VC target on Phu Qhoc Island in 1967. The other gun crew members were not indentified. And the gun that did it. A 1968 photo of the Point Young's 81mm gun mount taken at Da Nang. (Photos donated by former GM2 John Mendyka USCG)

Ever Watchful.

CS2 Bob Burton watches an ongoing boarding from the CGC Point Jefferson WPB 82306. The wearing of flak jackets and helmets was required but as the number of boardings rose most discontinued their use under the hot sun. (Photos donated by CSC Robert O. Burton, USCG(ret)).

Quang and Me.

GM2 John Mendyka and VNN liaision Phan Cong Quang on board CGC Point Young (WPB 82303) in 1967 at An Thoi.
(Polaroid photo donated by former GM2 John Mendyka, USCG)

ET2 Bruce Floyd takes a break on the mortar platform of the CGC Point Kennedy (WPB 82320) south of Cam Rahn near Phan Thiet. A good view of the 81mm/.50 caliber "piggyback" gun mount - a Coast Guard innovation by CWO(GUN) Elmer Hicks, USCG. (1967 photo contributed by former ET2 Bruce Floyd, USCG).

CGC Point Kennedy (WPB 82320) stands off a beach in the Co Chien River to provide gunfire support for a beach invasion during Song Than/Deckhouse V in January 1967. Note U. S. Marine Corps Sikrosky HH-19(series) helicopters in the background. The Coast Guard participated in numerous joint service operations. (U. S. Navy photo by PH1 L. R. Robinson, USN (127K). Photo contributed by Bruce Floyd.)

CGC Point Banks(WPB 82327) alongside APL55 at An Thoi (Division 11) in 1967.
(Photo by former BM2 Joe Kleinpeter, USCG.)

CGC Point Banks(WPB 82327) awaits action with .50 caliber machine guns in 1967. (Photo by former BM2 Joe Kleinpeter, USCG.) (70K)

The time, location and personnel in this dramatic photograph are unknown. It was shot on an 82' WPB in Vietnam probably in the later years of the war because of the newer flack jackets and the worn condition of the equipment.The man in the rear is wearing shorts and shower shoes while the on the rifle stock of the man in the foreground has put a National Rifle Association sticker. Anyone knowing who the date, WPB name and the names of these men let me know.Bill Wells
U. S. Coast Guard Photo (130K)

Holes R Almost Us

ET2 Bruce Floyd stands on the Point Kennedy's (WPB 82320)starboard side signal bridge marking the 57mm hole Charlie delivered. This round narrowly missed the hand grenade locker just inches below, the three Coast Guardsmen and one Navy SEAL standing on the bridge. A Lucky Day for all. (Photo by former ET2 Bruce Floyd, USCG)

The helmsman of the Point Kennedy(WPB 82320)narrowly escaped becoming a causality when a bullet entered the center bridge window. (Photo by former ET2 Bruce Floyd, USCG)