Anthony (Tony) DiPrima I've been a proud MRFA member for going on 15 yesrs now having served with Charlie Company, 3/47th, 9th Infantry Division from when it was first reactivated to train for combat at Fort Riley, Kansas, for the Vietnam War in May 1966. I served my tour of duty departing on or about may 1967

Gentlemen, Fantastic website you have developed. I am currently finishing up a Book titled "Mekong Delta Yacht Club" Subtitled "Grandads Gators Call-Up the Reserves." www.MDYClub.com You can see more about it here. I want to use some of your Mekong Delta text and photos and will fully acknowledge your publishing efforts. My Army Reserve Unit, the 231st Transportation from St. Petersburg, was suddenly called up in 1968 to support Operation Game Warden and converted from an Army Heavy Boat Reserve Company and immediately converted to a Med Boat with 19 LCM8 Live Abord Boats. Our claim to fame was a Presidential Citation for an outstanding unit, delivering the most beer to all the bases in the delta, supporting the Riverine forces, etc. If this is cool with you guys, please send me an e-mail back to my Personal TJTwitty@gmail.com Reference MDYClub. Thanks, and I hope you got to drink some of our beer. As an Army Boat, our coolers were always stocked with the cold golden brew for all you Navy Guys that covered our ass. I will offer you our story for your website when it is finished. TJT 727 421-1360 cell & text

Vietnam creed "To those who have fought for it, Life has a flavor that the protected will never know." Patrolling Vietnam's rivers was extremely hazardous duty! My limited visit on one of your riverboats was unnerving. Courage was your badge of honor! Good Job! 25th Infantry Division -Tay Ninh 1969-70 "Courage on the Mountain" Amazon -courageonthemountain.com Captivating, true, 900 plus 5 star reviews and Free on Amazon Prime Glad you made it home!, Welcome Home Brother!

Served with the 9th Infantry Division D/4/47th May 1968 to April 1969. Was a RTO and Squad leader in the 1st Platoon.

Served as Shipfitter/Fireman on Blanco County, LST-344. We would load up in Vung Tau and delivered our cargo everywhere! Your write-up failed to mention the hauling of 1/2 a million cans of Budweiser, Olympia, and Hamms beer. We’d even stack the pallets of beer around the bright red gasoline drums on the main deck to hide and protect them.

Served on LST 1077 from Vung Tau through Mekong delta as part of TF117. Received Purple Heart at DMZ. Wondered if crewman insignia can be worn on dress uniform. If so where, above or below ribbon rack. Am 77 next month and just had lung surgery to remove blood clots associated with agent orange consumed while in delta. Have cancer of blood. Cannot believe how many of my shipmates are already gone from same poison. Never forget our honor. While E5 radarman in delta eventually retired as Army chaplain with combined 32 years of service.

I served in RAD 153 from January 1969 to January 1970 aboard ASPB 6858. I would like to hear from some of the crew members from alpha 58 from 1969.

Thanks for this article. I was on a courier mission to Phu Bai the night of January 31st. Lucky for me, having completed my mission, I was able to get a helicopter back to Danang shortly after the battle of Hue had begun. One minor correction to this article. The name of the river by the city is the Perfume River, or Song Huong in Vietnamese. David Billings, US Navy Reserves Naval Support Activity Danang, 1967-68

Upon returning from Vietnam in 1970 myself. I had the good fortune of working for a company where the owner and President was a man named John M. Tolpa. He read like a Dewars profile. A mechanical engineer, attorney and Naval officer. He was in fact serving on the LST515 USS Caddo Parish while in Vietnam I believe as the engineering officer. As a Marine serving at the same time in Vietnam, we had a lot in common. I'm mentioning this because on Thanksgiving 2022. Jack passed away. I thought anyone of his shipmates who knew the man, might be interested to know. His son Stephen runs the company at present and I'm certain that he might like to hear from anyone who knew Jack Tolpa. I came to discover that there are only about 600,000 Vietnam veterans left. Hence my post. The company is the Tolan Machinery Co. in Rockaway, NJ. 973-983-7212. Ask for Stephen. Mention my name. Tom Spencer. God bless us and those like us.

Hi, I was the engineer on A-112-4, 68/69, I am trying to locate my crew members: Christopher Emerson Coxwain; Radioman Charles; Gunner; Ferdinandson, Boat Captain ?? Whitehorn Sorry, the memory is history. Remembering our 50 Caliber gunner Mike Salaba Thanks.

I was the S-4, 2nd Bde of the 9th Infantry Division from Dec 1967-Dec1968. I am writing a short book of my time in the MRF to be titled: "War Sketches From the Mekong"; and hope to publish on Amazon. I need clear photos of the craft used in the MRF including the USS Benewah, The Westchester County, especially after 1 Nov 68 when we lost 28 sailors and soldiers, but also the Tangos and the ASPBs and Monitors to put some visual support behind my words I need both permission and access to the photos. I am happy to pay a small fee for the access and will credit the photographer(s) and the MRF Association in the book. Cell: 714-235-4004. Email is desired. The Navy provided complete support with the 2 LSTs for both Army and Navy needs. I operated with the N-4 and would like contact with any of his staff from the Benewah. Thanks.

I was on the LST 980 Meeker County and LST 1170 Wyndham County both during 1968 and 1969. I was with Boat Support Unit one out of Coronado in 1970 in Vietnam as a Mobil Support Team -2 Seal Support, detachment Charlie from May - December. I was on a LSSC (landing seal support craft), also called a STAB (seal team assault boat). We inserted and extracted the Seals. Our base was a Seafloat in the middle of Son Cau Lon River.