Updated: February 18, 2004 URL: http://www.aug.edu/~libwrw/Coast Guard Warriors.

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U. S. Coast Guard. Vietnam 1965 - 1966
War Images of ET2 Cliff Rocheleau (Photos courtesy of Cliff Rocheleau) See Story of early Coast Guard activities in Vietnam. Requires PDF reader.
At Subic - Before the Storm. The initial Squadron One crews assembled at Subic Bay, PI, for assignment and training.

Ltjg Richard Heym tries on his new gear. Heym ultimately became the Point Banks' commanding officer.

Subic Bay in July or August 1965. (L-R) BMCS Bernie Webber, USCG and LTjg. Richard Heym (XO), USCG. Senior Chief Webber had been the OINC of the Point Banks at Woods Hole, Massachusetts prior to the Point Banks' deployment. He was replaced by Lieutenant Andrew Simms. vn0072a.jpg

Original Point Banks Squadon One crew. 1965Point Banks Crew
The original Vietnam crew of Point Banks. Picture was taken in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines (July or August 1965). Point Banks served from USCG Division 11 off An Thoi Island, RVN. This crew sailed Point Banks from Subic Bay to Vietnam. Great crew & great memories. Front to Back: LT. Andrew Simms (CO), William "Bill" Keppler (CS2), Cliff Rocheleau (ET2), Lance Newman (GM2), John Dupont (FN), Chuck Reynolds (EN2), Thorwall Stray (BMC), Stan Dauphines (ENCS), Jeremiah J. O'Neill (BM1), and LTJG. Richard Heym (XO) 		Learning the Landing Party Drill.
In the landing party are (L-R) ENCS Stan Dauphinais, CS2 William "Bill" Kepler, and FN John Dupont. The shaved head look was not from a military regulation but necessity. The WPB's air conditioner went out and remained out for 2 or 3 months until parts arrived. Taken in September or October 1965, this photo illustrates one of the first landing parties from the Point Banks (WPB 82327) to one of the Islands in Division 11's operating area. ET2 Cliff Rocheleau, standing in water next to the Boston Whaler, recalled, "We didn't know what to expect and we were all scared shitless." The landing party had just completed scouting the island for the enemy. However, it was an adventure for all.
 (L-R below)PO3 Ladan and ET2 Rocheleau

The Point Banks in their patrol area and we were boarding & checking the papers of the fisherman sampans.
One of few photos of EN2 Charles "Chuck" Reynolds (foreground).
Next to him is the VNN Liaison officier. GM2 Lance "Newt"Newman (GM2) on the bow with the Thompson Sub Machine Gun. He is keeping an eye on some other Sampans closing on the Banks. Not shown is the manned M-60 Machine gun which was mounted on the bridge and manned Port
Side .50 caliber machine gun.
Young Tigers Learn Quickly


The WPB crews quickly learned to adapt whatever they found or needed to complete their mission. Here crewmen from the Point Banks (WPB 82327) wear a variety of "tiger stripe" uniforms giving them more protection ashore than regulation dungarees Front Row L-R: GM2 Lance Newman, BM1 Jeremiah J. O'Neill, ENS. Steve Pope (XO) Back Row L-R: FN John Dupont, SN Stanley Carter, ET2 Cliff Rocheleau, VNN liaison officer (name not known)

 ET2 Cliff Rocheleau models his "tigers" but doesn't forget comfortable footwear.

ET2 Rocheleau and BM1 O'Neil on the mess deck of Point Banks.

Up From the Beach.
 This photo of the CGC Point Banks (WPB 82827) could have been in National Geographic. It also demonstrates how vulnerable the Coast Guard patrol boats were on patrol from Viet Cong gunners hidden in the thick foliage. The red on the hull is red lead paint from converting the white cutters to gray warriors.

A Kneeling Pope.
Taken while on patrol in January or February 1966 Ens. Steve Pope (XO) of the CGC Point Banks (WPB 82327) gives first aid to a Vietnamese girl. She had an infection on her foot caused by a fish hook. This injury was common on board the fishing sampans and junks. The Coast Guard never forgot its humanitarian skills while in Vietnam.
The mother ship USS Krishna(APL 38). Two the PCFs alongside her have been identified as PCF 3 and PCF 4.
 An Thoi Island
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Cowboys and Monkeys - Cross Cultural Entertainment.

Television cowboy actor James Drury from the Virginian TV series takes a moment from his April 1966 USO show to have his photo taken with ET2 Cliff Rocheleau.
James Drury with the two dancers in his troupe. The show was in Vietnam for 21 days and performed 54 shows.		  

Unidentified sailors at An Thoi have their photos made with troop dancers. The dancer on the left is Lori Bigley with Joni Lyman on right. Joni Lyman also appeared in the flm "Winter A Go Go (1965)" that was appearing on bases in Vietnam.
Drury with his band the "Wiltshire Boulevard Buffalo Hunters" (well, it was the 60s). The center guitarist is Lee "Sagebrush" Burch. The banjo player Jon "Falling Rock" Locke.

USO shows were fun but not long lasting. Local entertainment was easier and much more personal. BM1 Jerry O'Neill plays with and feeds a monkey following a USO show.
ET2 Cliff Rocheleau commented that he did not know what to expect from handling a monkey. He found it to be friendly and playful. Many of the cutters adopted different animals as mascots while in Vietnam.
Relaxation in a village.  

Kids were always attracted to the boats whenever they stopped in at Ha Tien. 		ET2 Cliff Rocheleau meets a South Vietnamese Army Ranger on a Ha Tien Street.

Vietnam is a beautiful country.		 Bay at Hon Min Hoa.
Meet The Boss.
Identified as Commander Hodgman, USCG,on a visit to Point Banks (WPB 82327) in 1965 to inspect the crew's readiness.
The Admiral Gets His Gun.
Rear Admiral Christopher C. Knapp, Commander Coast Guard Western Area, receives a captured VC Mosin-Nagant(M1944 7.62mm) carbine on board the CGC Point Banks (WPB 82327). It is believed this rifle went to the Coast Guard Academy Museum. Admiral Knapp was on a visit to Squadron One units when this photo was taken in late 1965 or early 1966. LT. Alex Larzelere, USCG, commanding, and Ens. Steve Pope (XO) are on the bridge in the background. (Photos courtesy of former ET2 Cliff Rocheleau, USCG)

NOTE: This weapon is on display at the headquarters of PSU 309 at Camp Perry (Cleveland) Ohio. 		Memories and Mementos

This belt buckle is one of thousands made in the Philippines for Coast Guard Squadron One. This one is owned by ET2 Cliff Rocheleau, USCG, who served on board the CGC Point Banks(WPB 82327)in 1966. It shows the words "Coast Guard" along the hull. These words were moved to the superstructure following the August 1966 U. S. Air Force attack on the Point Welcome