Destination...UNKNOWN.

"RETURN TO HOME BASE ,READY BOAT FOR HOIST".

This coded message was a big surprise to all of us that were on patrol that morning. PBR-139 and PBR 142 just reached their station when I received this message. We were at the mouth of the Ham Luong River when this message came. Without hesitation, I turned the steering wheel to starboard and steered PBR 142 to a north-westernly heading to rendezvous with the USS Hunderton County which by now was steaming towards the mouth of the Ham Luong River.

PBR 139 was ahead of me, and most of the boats had already been hoisted on board when PBR 139 and PBR 142 made the rendezvous. PBR 142 was the last to be hoisted. As I climbed the "JACOB'S LADDER", my mind can't help but wonder, "Where the HELL are we going?!"

This was around the last week of April 1968." On board, we were told that our destination will be known once we get there. However, as soon as the ship entered the South China Sea and made a turn to "PORT", I knew that we were heading up NORTH. The next morning, after having a good NAVY BREAKFAST, I went up the main deck and took deep breaths of the fresh sea air. I watched the sun rise above the horizon from the starboard, and Vietnam's Eastern Coast was within view at the port side. Viewing this coastal scenery brought back memories merely a year ago.

By heart, I knew most of the landmarks on this coast, as well as the possible dangers within 15 nautical miles off the shorelines. These waters were my stomping grounds on board the USS CALIENTE (AO-56).


POINT ST. JACQUES or "VUNG TAU", NHA TRANG, QUINHON, DA NANG, CAMRANH and CHU LAI are all located on this eastern shore that ends up to the TONKIN GULF. I was now sure that one of those places were our destination. Exactly WHICH one was still the question.


Guessing got me nowhere, so, I put my mind to rest and accepted the fact that, "...regardless of place, it is "CHARLIE" that we'll be facing with." This made me more EAGER to reach our destination and finish what we were here for.

FINAL DESTINATION..........I can't recall the exact number of days we've stayed at sea. It was more or less four (4) to five (5) days. During this time, it was the ship's "IMC" that became the MOST ANTICIPATED sound through out the ship. The sound of the "BOSUN'S PIPE" playing "ALL HANDS", followed by this announcement:


"Tomorrow the ship will be at the mouth of QUI NHON BAY. Qui Nhon is our destination." This still remains vividly in my mind.

That evening went so fast. I was up before "reveille" was piped down. Soon as I dressed up, anticipation brought me to the main deck to watch the USS HUNTERDON COUNTY make her approach towards the mouth of QUI NHON BAY. As I stood there I watched the shoreline and what I saw was a picture of calmness and serenity.

However, my mind says otherwise. I knew that this is only a mask that cover the dangers that lies within. This is no longer the MEKONG RIVER wherein the enemies are SCATTERED and stretched along it's endless banks. This is now QUI NHON BAY, wherein the enemies are are WELL ENTRENCHED and confined within it's shoreline. Hunting the enemies is NO LONGER a TASK. They're HERE, and the question is who'll play the roles of "CAT" or "MOUSE".

QUI NHON BAY is an added chapter of RIVERINE WARFARE AND I'm trully honored to be a part of it. The morning muster was longer than usual. LT. GEORGE STEFFENCAVAGE and all his staff were present. "BIG GEORGE" was very specific with the details of this "operation". The word "VIETCONG" did not cause any of us to heed, however, the mention of "NORTH VIETNAM'S REGULARS", pumped blood to my head and adrenalin to my veins...Is this caused by "FEAR"? By this time, I can honestly say that I no longer have any fear for the enemy. I have encountered and engaged the enemies in countless firefights and in worst situations that could be imagined.

Through these experiences, I've learned that "FEAR" is what you think and made something out of it. "FEAR" is merely a product of imagination. If allowed to linger, "FEAR" will control your well being hence diminishing your grasp of reality, which inevitably turns into "PANIC", when "PANIC" sets in, that is whe "DISASTER" happens. To say, "TO FEAR IS HUMAN" is not appropriate in VIETNAM nor in any war. Considering ours or any soldiers' situation that's either be a casualty or killed in action (KIA), fear is an invitation for disaster. Nonetheless, I have no wish to be included in any of these situations. I've learned to trust my "GUT FEELINGS" and never allow myself to be persuaded nor be inclined to take the least favorable view of any situation(s) unfolding in front and around me. This kept my composure un-pesturbed even in the midst of battle.

This fact was literally expressed in my evaluation that says, "QM1 TRONO IS COOL IN BATTLE". A tap on my shoulder made me realize that the briefing have ended. Honestly, I was not able to pay any attention with the briefing, my mind became pre-occupied with the "NORTH VIETNAM'S REGULARS" and the urge to do battle with them was so strong within me. Only the voice that says, "HEY HUK LET'S GET SOME BREAKFAST, THIS COULD BE A LONG, LONG DAY", woke me up from my reverie, that voice gave me the assurance of safety for the days ahead and the offer was as earnest as it can be. It can only came from my best friend and partner, EN2 ROY K. DAVIS, BOAT CAPTAIN OF PBR 139. I turned and gave him a smile and said, "SURE"and down to the mess deck we went. Anyway, a good breakfast often leads to a good day, and this is what I'm looking forward to see. Our first patrol in QUI NHON BAY was merely for familiarization with the waterways.

We explored the entire area and made mental notes of all the possible dangers that we could possibly enco. FISH TRAPS in all varieties congest the water area and locations of SANDBAR'S gave us the most concern. Depending on the tides, hence they are often mislocated. This becomes so dangerous particularly during night patrols. Inland or the western side of QUI NHON BAY lies the city of QUI NHON, which we considered as the "friendly side". Adjacent to the SOUTH CHINA SEA lies it's eastern banks wherein the enemies were entrenched throughout it's shores. With trees and heavy foliage of bushes and wild gross that cover the area, this is a perfect sactuary for the enemies. Wreckage and ruins of fallen brick houses compounded the dangers that lie within. needless to say, all our firefights and SNIPER SHOTS came from this area.

This, however, worked to our favor because it made certain where the enemies are. Hence, the "Operation" was focused on this eastern shores of QUI NHON BAY. In lieu of this, it is now just the question of time to get this "Operation" unfold. I can honestly say that we are all excited for this operation to get started. The "question of time" was answered that evening when the "ROK (Republic Of Korea) TIGER DIVISION" came on board. We all knew that tomorrow will be the "D -DAY""BRIEFING" was held that same evening. Details of the "OPERATION" were discussed. Each PBR was given each assigned position with members of the "TIGER DIVISION" assault team on board. PBR-142 had the honor to have the "ROK" GENERAL on board.

Again, that evening went so fast. I was AGAIN up before reveille was piped. I went to the main deck and watched the sun as it breaks out of the horizon. I watched it rise and felt the warmth of it's golden rays touching my face. For a sailor, these warmth and brilliance are harbingers of a good day. As my mind wanders in the reverie, a tap on my shoulder brought me back to reality. As ever, the tap came from my partner, EN2 ROY K. DAVIS. With a grin on his face, he asked, "HUK ARE YOU WORRIED?" I replied, "Nah!"

He then replied, "WELL THEN, LET'S GET SOME CHOW BEFORE THE "ROKS"GET IN THE MESS DECK. "


Next: "The ASSAULT..."

"USS Hunderton County (LST 821)..."

February 1968 opened a new chapter of my war experiences in SOUTH VIETNAM.

RIVER SECTION 532 was transfered on board USS HUNTERDON COUNTY [LST-821) For sailors, to be onboard a ship is like being at ho the me. Honestly, this is how I feel on board each ship that I have sailed. My world evolves in the Pacific and other oceans as well as seas in the Western hemisphere including the Antarctic. However, on board the HUNTERDON COUNTY, it's neither an ocean nor sea that I'm dealing with. Instead, it is one of the "CUU LONG", or "NINE DRAGONS".

This is the vietnamese name for the nine branches of the Mekong river that flows out to the South China Sea. And the "DRAGON" that I am refering to is the "HAM LUONG RIVER". Once a safe commercial waterway, HAM LUONG RIVER is now a "DEATH ALLEY" with the VIETCONG and NORTH VIETNAMESE REGULARS infiltrating the local villages located on both river banks. Hence, snipers and ambush squads became our daily concerns and worst nightmares.
The major city, BEN TRE, once prosperous is now partly devastated by war. The resident,s are now either friendly, enemy or enemy symphatizers. At it,s entrance, or "BEN TRE CANAL", stood a '"RED BRICK HOUSE" that became a landmark for every PBR crew that patrolled the HAM LUONG. I can honestly say that in one of our patrols whether day or night, each of us was fired at by VIETCONG SNIPERS-positioned somewhere inside that RED BRICK HOUSE. To express our spite, each patrol tacitly made firing runs that almost leveled that BRICK HOUSE to the ground. Needless to say, this stopped the "SNIPER"S ACTIVITY" in that area.

Nonetheless, we all know that this is not the end of it. There's still the whole stretch of the HAM LUONG RIVER to worry about. The entire area of the HAM LUONG RIVER is designated as a "FREE FIRE ZONE". This means that the entire area was considered as a "SPHERE OF INFLUENCE" of the enemy. In lieu of this, all boats on patrol must constantly move. This is same with the HUNTERDON COUNTY. The HAM LUONG is not as wide as the CUA DAM RIVER where staying in the middle is considered safe. On the other hand, in the HAM LUONG RIVER any spot is within the sniper,s range. Furthermore, being only a month since the start of the "TET OFFENSIVE", the NORTH VIETNAM'S REGULARS[NVR] are still well entrenched in the area. To have the combination of the NVR and Vietcong only meant "DOUBLE TROUBLE" for us. With this in mind, each of us became more observative and speculative in regard to any obvious or peculiar scenes and activities of the river traffics. This is same with the movements on both river banks.

All of us knew, that any mis-judgement on our part could lure and lead us into an ambush, which the enemies are well capable of. Most of us had been through this situation before and needless to say, none of us like to go through it again. Each patrol could be our last, and honestly speaking, I don't want to push my luck. I believe that I can contribute more to the WAR EFFORT by staying alive rather than being a statistic of WAR.

Being new in the area, getting familiar with the topography of the area is imperative for all of us. This contributes highly to our safety. Each estuary canal and nooks at the riverbanks are potential sites for an ambush. Hence, every bit of information is a blessing for all of us. But, who will be the source of these informations? Surely not from the enemy. It will be from no one else but us. Thereafter, at the end of each patrol, We have made a point to share each experiences of the day including river traffics and human traffics at the riverbanks. Repetitive as it may seem, nonetheless, this gave us the "RIVERSMARTS" that helped us elude numerous ambush attempts by the enemy.

Although the river traffic was not as congested as the "CUA DAI" and "CUA TIEU", the firefights, however, were plenty. '"PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE" were conducted constantly, particularly by the night patrols. As I've said before, this type of warfare is an invitation for a firefight.

Operations with the "NAVY SEALS" were also conducted often. In retrospect, one of the biggest "ARMS & AMMUNITION CACHE" made by units of RIVER SECTION 532 and the US NAVY SEALS was in one of these operations. Notwithstanding all the dangers that we"ve faced each day, I can honestly say that our morale stays on it's highest. This can only be attributed to the leadership of our NAVAL OFFICERS in the persons of LT. GEORGE STEFENCAVAGE, LT. CHIARUTTINI, LT. KEN NELSON, LT. JAN GILBERTSON, and LT. PARKER. These NAVAL OFFICERS goes out on patrols; get into firefights and eat "C-RATS" with us. They are one of us and this takes "GUTS'. This emphatic behaviour kept our "FIGHTING SPIRIT" burning at all times. Their"SOLIDNESS"was the virtue that made RIVER SECTION 532 a "FORCE" to be reckon with, particularly to the enemies. This notoriety have spread and reached the NORTHERNMOST tributaries of the MEKONG RIVER including the VAN CUU DONG RIVER (PURPLE HEART ALLEY), QUI NHON BAY and TRACU.


Next: "Destination...UNKNOWN"...

Steffencavage

LCDR George Steffencavage. Commanding Officer of River Section 532 from March 1968 - March 1969. He was one hard-charging, no bullshit sonuvagun. I was hoping I would run into him again after our time in Vietnam, but unfortunately I found out that he had PASSED AWAY in 1989.


At the battle of Tinh Luong River, he was SO COOL in battle. He has GUTS. I am so honored to have served under him.


Rest easy, Sir. I wish that I could have fought alongside you once more. Until we meet again.

"Tet."

Like any festival held in various parts of the world, including SOUTHEAST ASIA, the celebration starts and ends up with a "BANG'. These "BANGS" were made mostly by "FIRECRACKERS, ROMAN CANDLES and any other man-made contraptions that could make loud noises with a "BIG BANG" impact. Being new in VIETNAM, this is what I've expected. However, the "TET FESTIVAL" that I've experienced in SOUTH VIETNAM, was not in it's normal script. The "BIG BANGS" that I've heard during the dark hours of 28 January 1968 were not from "FIRE CRACKERS" nor "ROMAN CANDLES", and rather, these "BANGS" were louder and deadly. These "BANGS" were made by live MORTARS, B40 ROCKETS and VIETCONG'S AK-47 aimed on all U.S. and SOUTH VIETNAMESE military and government installations, including our RIVERINE HEADQUARTERS at MYTHO,SOUTH VIETNAM. This shower of live MORTARS and ROCKETS started shortly after MIDNIGHT and continued until the dawn of the new day. This was too "BLOODY" to be a festival, rather, it was a "MILITARY OFFENSIVE" executed by NORTH VIETNAM'S REGULAR ARMY together with the communist guerillas of SOUTH VIETNAM or "VIETCONG". This "OFFENSIVE" was concieved and masterminded by non other than GENERAL BO NGUYEN GIAP [SUPREME MILITARY COMMANDER OF NORTH VIETNAM] with no other goal but to destroy all US and allied military forces and destabilize the current SOUTH VIETNAMESE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. Needless to say, this "offensive" was patterned with the "BATTLE OF BIEN BIEN PHU", where in he (Giap) emerged the victor against the FRENCH ARMY. This victory ended the colonization and rule of the FRENCH GOVERNMENT over the "FRENCH INDO CHINA" which is now the modern day "VIETNAM". However, to dwell on past "KUDOS"did not work to GIAP'S favor. GENERAL GIAP'S expectations for another "BIEN BIEN PHU" did not unfold. He (GIAP) now realized that it is not the FRENCH ARMY that he is faced with. Undermining the resiliency of the UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES is like "PISSING AGAINST THE WIND ". This he soon found out.


In retrospect, there were no peculiar nor obvious incidents that could be describe as harbingers of the '68 TET OFFENSIVE. It was the usual traffic and same faces in the Mekong River. A reddish hue covers the horizon as the sun starts to descend in the west. In my years at sea this foretells a fair weather for tommorrow, and I am truly looking forward to it. As I head towards MYTHO after a days patrol, my mind was full of anticipation for what tomorrow may bring. With all mooring lines secured and all the maintenance checks were done, I told my crew to call it a day and head up to the mess hall to catch the last serving of the evening meal. This was 27 January 1968. In the mess hall, the ambiance was the usual fun with the "Head Cook". I can't remember his name. I think it's MS1 JOHNSON, an African American with a grumpy attitude on late meals. Knowing this, EN2 DAVIS, myself and crews of PBR 139 and PBR 142 intentionaly take our time in eating our meals. He (JOHNSON) continuosly remind us about the closing time. Each time he does this, we just continue our meals without minding him. And this really pisses him off, nonetheless this is what we really want. A few minutes after closing time, we will all stand up and often EN2 Davis will make a comment about the meal and laughter soon followed. Hearing this, MS1 Johnson's reply were always these words,"YOU ASSHOLES WILL COME LATE AND EAT MY CHOW AND STILL COMPLAINS. NEXT TIME GO TO THE MOTHER-F__KING CUU LONG' (Cuu Long is a local restaurant). With this , all of us will burst into laughter including MS1 Johnson himself. He will shake his head and make a pushing gesture of his hands and walk off. I am sure that he knew that after a day's patrol we just want to have fun, and Johnson played along with us. Having "Combat Rations" or "C-Rats" day in and day out, night in and night out, any cooked meal is a luxury for us. Considering the make shift galley and the wartime conditions that we are in, MS1 Johnson did his very best to serve us this 'LUXURY'. I am trully grateful to him for that. The "Fun" that we had with him will always be a part of my Vietnam experience.


After a cold shower, I quickly jump in my rack hoping to get a good start with my sleep. In this humid weather, the best time to hit your rack is right after a cold shower, while your body temperature is still cool. If you can't catch a sleep at this stage, it will be hard to catch one when humidity starts to set in. I said "Goodnight" to my crew; said my prayer and hope for a safe patrol the next day.


The noises were unfamiliar. It was still too dark and I'm sure that it was not 'CHICKEN MAN' that woke me up. Sounds of footsteps were echoing on the corridors of HOTEL MYTHO with loud voices that said, "WE'RE HIT, WE'RE HIT'. I jumped out of bed and woke my crew. I told them to dress up and be ready for whatever is coming, because I myself don't have any idea what is going on. Sounds of gunfires are now being heard coming from the streets of MYTHO. Words came about to report to the HEADQUARTERS, with utmost caution because of the firefights between the South Vietnamese Army and the Vietcongs in the streets and alleys of Mytho. The HQ is only across the street and being caught in a crossfire is a high possibility. The Vietcongs have already infiltrated the streets and to be ambushed added more dilemna to our present situation. I looked at my watch and it was around 3:00 AM 28 January 1968. At the HQ, we were told that a rocket landed on the water reservoir on the roof of Hotel Mytho. Fortunately nobody was hurt. We were ordered to get all the boats out of the boat pool. With enemy bombs and rockets falling everywhere, it will be just a matter of time that it will find it's mark and cause casualties to the 'PBRS' tied up in the boat pool. At the same time, driving to the boat pool was as much dangerous itself. Nonetheless, we all jumped into any vehicle available , and without minding the dangers of the present situation, drove as fast as we can to the boat pool. Amidst the sound of gunfire we reached boat pool safely and dashed to our boats. Unfortunately, I had a misfortune jumping into my boat (PBR 142). The deck plate that covers the STARBOARD BILGE PUMP was left open, and my right leg went in. I yanked it out and twisted my knee in the process. Without minding the pain, I ordered my crew to 'CLEAR ALL LINES' and steered PBR 142 out of the boat pool to safety. All the boats converged at the middle of the river to wait for further orders. Soon, orders to resume the scheduled patrols came with words of caution, 'BE VIGILANT AND BE MORE CAREFUL. THIS IS THE TET OFFENSIVE', added to it.


Our patrols that day were longer than scheduled. We remained on station until the coded message was received that informed us that it's akready safe to return to homebase. It was already dark when we reach homebase. Late meals were served and the mess hall was buzzing with all the stories that happened that day. In the headquarters, we were briefed about the other river units that suffered casualties. I was sad upon hearing these reports, because members of my PBR class are attached to some of these units. On the other hand I am glad that RIVER SECTION 532 suffered no casualty at all.


It was a long and hectic day, my mind and body was already feeling it's toll. Beside the busted water reservoir, HOTEL MYTHO was still standing and I can't hardly wait to get into our room. The cold shower took all the stress out of my mind and body. After a short discussion with my crew, I look out of the window and stared at the moonlit sky and said , "Thanks for sparing us today". I hit my rack hoping to hear the voice of "Chicken Man" at the break of dawn as the start of a new day.

The initial wave of the 'TET OFFENSIVE' truly caught the ALLIED FORCES by surprise, particularly the ones stationed up North. "HANOI HANNAH'S' voice constantly covers the VIETNAMESE AIR WAVES blaring about the NORTH VIETNAM REGULARS and VIETCONG'S victories in all battlefields. The siege at KHE SAN, CU CHI and other ALLIED BASES up NORTH as well as the sinking of a YRBM, homebase of a RIVERINE FORCE that patrols the HAM LUONG river, caused sadness to all of us. On the other hand, these reports made us more aggresive. With these, each patrol intensified it's search and inspections of all river traffic without exception. Inevitably, this yielded 'CACHE' of enemies' supply provisions, particularly medicines. These medicines were often hid inside obvious places such as 'BRASSIERES', underwear and inside the loaves of 'FRENCH BREAD' stacked on board water taxis supposedly headed for the public markets. I'm sure that our interventions also caused problems and concerns to the enemies. And as ever, the PBR and crew remained on top of the vietcong's hit list.

Although the Vietcong's activities were rampant, a "HEAD-ON" confrontation with the PBR'S were avoided. The Vietcong resorted to "SNIPERS" taking pot shots at us from the riverbanks. This kept us on edge and vigilance became our top concern at all times. In the midst of all of these, MEDICAL EVACUATIONS of local civilians caught in the middle of AERIAL BOMBINGS of NAPALM became one of our constant chores. The smell of the burnt and blistered bodies often remained stuck in my olfactory nerve for days hence affecting my appetite. Worst of all, most of us suffered LBM (Loose Bowel Movement) for reasons nobody seems to know. For remedial purposes, we were given "quinine tablets". For days we took these tablets. In lieu of this, the headquarters, particularly the mess hall became a bedlam of causation informations. Although we were not given any official reasons, in regards to it's source or cause, most of us believed in one unofficial source. That is-----decomposed bodies of Vietcongs were found at the bottom of the water reservoir wherein our drinking water was coming from. The thought of this still gives me the creeps and make my stomach turn up to this present time.