MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE ASSOCIATION
GUESTBOOK
If you have any corrections, stories, questions or simply would like to get in touch with someone, please contact MRFA staff at the following address:
292 entries.
Fantastic web site...Hats off to all involved...some much History & Information...Honor to know Frank thru our Honor Flight Hub here....keep up the God work..
Safe Travels Dave Reinheimer current pres. www.b2501airborne.com
Was in A Co. 5TH 60TH MECHANIZED From march 1967 to september 1967
wounded september .
I was assigned to PBRs Class of 23 when I entered Saigon’s Annapolis Hotel as temporary residence while processing units of assignment with River Patrol Boats River Sections, March 10,1967. Later, I was assigned to River Section -511, Bravo Patrol PBR (58 and PBR 59) until February 27,1968 when I (we) spent from 1-5 days awaiting flights back to the United States. I stay at the Annapolis Hotel Saigon about 5-days before my “Space A flight left Vietnam. I next thank all my Comrades for their service too.
The comment that CCB-18 is the only riverine craft still around is not true. Both the former USS Nueces APB-40 and USS Mercer APB-39 are still in US Navy service as messing and berthing barges.
I stayed on board the Nueces while in dry dock. I was allowed to roam all spaces as the manager in charge saw that I loved history. Both these vessels were part of riverine forces.
Both vessels still have engines in place. Boilers removed along with props. Mercer is serving in Sasebo Japan and Nueces in Yokosuka Japan. These vessels while still serving will be replaced with the new APLs the Navy are building. Currently 5 have been built.
The Nueces has a small museum dedicated to her service. I hope a home may be found for these two vessels when retired. Maybe serving again as a museum vessel in Patriots Point SC alongside the riverine exhibit and patrol boat would be a fitting home.
Former GM3 Mason CFAY
I was with MACV-SOG OP35 in 1968. It was great to learn about OP34A and probably why the deeds of SOG remained classified for so long. We sure don't want to embarrass our politicians of that era.
I was told my Dad , Ltc James L.Scovel was 2nd Brig XO MRF in 1968 before being reassigned to 2/47 9th Inf Mechanized. I've spent quite a lot of time trying to find more info regarding his service 1968-69 RVN.
Trying to piece it all together
Thank You for your Service & Sacrifices
Thank You for any assistance
Was with the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion out of Soc Trang. Did some air traffic control out of Nam Can in October/November?, 1970. So much mud & water. Sapper got one of the boats while there. Believe the SEAL team had an operation in the U Minh & we also dropped a 5 or15,000 #er on a suspected VC stronghold.
Has any one seen an mrf anchor and gun badge. Not in a circle pin.
Landing Ship Squadron Two, Caddo Parish 515, Hickman Cty 825, Luzerne Cty 902, Madera Cty 905, Monmouth Cty 1032 were attached to Tf117, Tg194, Mobile Riverine Force. They were not part of Tf115 or Tf116. The sqdrn arrived Vn 1966 and was the only sqdrn assigned permanent In-Country status
John Iannucci has just gave me an outstanding history lesson about the MRFA and all the heroism involved during the Vietnam war. Godbless this group for it’s great service and sacrifice for this great nation.
I ran across this site while exploring the web and low and behold found Seafloat!
I built it!!!. In late May of 69 I took a Seabee team to Nha Be, my project was to build Seafloat. I was the Chief in Charge. I was given 3 weeks to build it. After 4 days of preparations, my team built all 7 hootches in 7 days on 7 Ammi barges.
Upon reporting to a LT. he told me to get checked in and to check in our weapons. I immediately informed him that Seabees do not turn in weapons! He said, "if you're going to stay on this base Chief you will turn in your weapons." I suggested he call my CO Dutch Filbry in Can Rahn Bay. I heard one side of the conversation; "yes sir, yes sir" and hung up saying "you win Chief. I'm putting you and your team up at the Metropole Hotel in downtown Saigon" - we won, and we kept our weapons.
Helping Ted Morrow, Memphis TN, Boat T-91-13. Hope this is correct site. Served with Lonnie Rhodes, Jim Walton, Frank Locket, deceased, Patrick Unk last name, deceased. Trying to locate John Hall, 1967-68.
Repair department yeoman at Dong Tam from July 1970 until July 1971. Still trying to located William Mack who was at Dong Tam the very same time I was there. After Vietnam I was sent to Gaeta Italy and finished out my enlistment on the staff of COMSIXTHFLT aboard the USS SPRINGFIELD. The years have flown by for each and ever one of us but I will remember my Navy service with the fondest of memories. To one and all, thanks for your service and May God bless every one of you. Thank you one and all!
I served two tours with 9th Signal out of Bearcat, TDY as "Detachment One" to Vung Tau.
We were net control and 'Naval Liaison', passing RTTY traffic among MRF and 9th Division in general. We also had microwave facilities and personnel at a site there humorously labeled 'VC Hill'.
Initially we operated out of a 26D deuce-and-a-half rig, located out at the airbase wire. Swapping generators was pretty much the only time we felt we needed our weapons.
By the time our unit was pulled back to Dong Tam for DEROS, we had gotten our site set up inside the Navy Warehouse compound, which was inside the Army compound, to further secure the "grey box" crypto gear.
Running on commercial power. working in air-conditioned comfort, eligible for MidRats, with near zero rocket attacks at our particular site ... I pretty much shut up whenever vets mention the MRF!
I was stationed(attached) to NSAD Dong Ha from Aug until Apr/may 68.
I was in our compound on Sept 3rd when the ammo dump went up. Our compound was on the south /east of Dong Ha right on the perminter. IAAnd about 50-75yards from the ammo dump. Probably further but on that day it seemed awful close. When the two largest explosions occurred our hooches were set back on their foundations about 2-3feet and the doors were blown in. I was part of the communications crew. In a trailer (truck) in a trench on the edge of thee compound. Being there was an experience. Sometimes we had to make runs down to Cua Viet with pouches of message traffic, Alco sometimes out to the hospital ships. Thanks for this website I was known as "Hawk".
I am trying to find a personnel roster for the 709th maint Bn from 1967 thru 1968.
Talked to someone while playing yahtzee online and they told me to check this out! Apparently he is a part of this 🙂 enjoyed reading about you guys and seeing the photos you have on here! Thanks for your service.
I was with A Company, 9th Infantry Division from 1 April to 15 Mar. I flew a UH-1 helicopter. I would fly the Brigade commander and staff on my helo. I would spend a lot of time sitting on the deck of the USS Bennewah ship as that was the Command HQ for the division. The Col didn't like to fly so when he did, it was always slow and gentle. Loved to be on deck on Sundays and would eat iin the Officers mess as they had surf and turf, or steak. You Navy perssonell always treated my crew and me with respect. I was wondering if you had the name of the deck officer who was responsible for clearing the deck and lowering the antenna when I called inbound to land. Thanks hope to hear from you.
Looking forward to the Mini-Reunion in San Diego this next week. Are there any 9th Signal BN Army/or Navy Signalman attending?
Gerald E. Barney
9th INF., 9th Signal BN
Vietnam 66-67
I am a plankowner U. S. S. Sterrett DLG 31,departed for boat handling school. Then to Vietnam RIVDiV-112 Feb. 68-Feb 69 (SN) Coxswain Tango 112-4.Dong Tam. Retired NR LDO LT. Would like to touch base with RIV DiV 112 members. Welcome home and bless all who served. Lake Charles, LA.
Thank you for your service I enlisted in Army 11/69
Spent all my time stateside and in the reserves but many of my infantry buddies went to Vietnam and had praise for Riverine Forces that they encountered.
Thanks again for your service.
My dad Gary Oltz would have loved this site! He served on the LST-344 USS Blanco County. He was part of the refit and sail to Guam, and also patrolled the rivers.
I was attached to Beachmaster Unit One, Coronado Amphib Base Jan 68-Jun 68
Westpac Det Jun 68-Oct 68. USS Hampshire County (LST-819) Oct 68-Aug 69
as part of Mobile Riverine Task Force 117
I was part of the recommissioning crew on the USS Askari as a gunners mate striker. After a year I served on the Captain's gig. After that I left the Captain's gig & became 1st class gunners mate. I left the Askari in 1968 in Singapore. I would like to get in touch with anyone who remembers me. (AKA JC or Smitty} I used to live in Baltimore, MD & moved to Royal Palm Beach,FL in 2019. navybo47@gmail.com
E 3/60 E 4/47 1966-1967 Dong Tam