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               Keith F. Reyes, ULC-UM
                       USN (DV/SWCC/SERE/CM) Ret.
Photos                                                 

                                                             

 

          

   

Keith F. Reyes,            ULC-UM
USN (DV/SWCC/SERE/CM) Ret.
UDT/SEAL ASSOCIATION
USN/MC EOD ASSOCIATION
GAMEWARDENS TF-116 ASSOCIATION
BLACKWATER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

                              

             

                 

                   

                                               
From: Keith F. Reyes
To: E. "Doc"  Riojas
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 
Subject:  Transition of the Brown Water Navy to Special Boat Teams.

Yes, Coastal River Squadrons/Divisions, then were re-designated Special Boat Squadrons/Units, now they are designated Special Boat Teams. They evolved to all  the same mission.
SEAL Combat Craft operations  Pacific Northwest. 

I met Ted Kassa several years ago at the UDT/SEAL Northwest Chapter Reunion. I asked him if he wanted to assist in a program I started at Naval Station Everett, Wa. Swimming Pool training young wannabe's. 

We are teaching them all underwater recovery swim strokes (combat swimming) and the PT requirements. We teach them things of this nature, and answer all their questions.
I served from 76-96. 

 Take care.
 Keith

                                                                 

                                                            

                                                          

 

From: Keith Reyes
To: Doc Riojas
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008
Subject:    pn-scuba and other patches 

SCUBA Insignia amongst others.  This was just an assortment of Command Insignia's I was assigned to. I was a support diver & combat crewman with EOD Mobile Unit 3 in Coronado.  When  I got to Washington State (Admirals Staff Duty), I did my re-qual dives with EOD Mobile Units 11 & 17 out of NAS Whidbey Island, Wa.
Keith R.

                                                                     Keith F. Reyes

 


Buck Owen

                    

                                  

                                

Bob Stoners Contribution of Boat Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    
Lt to Rt: Charlie Bump,  Bill Garnett,  Pierre Ponson   SEAL Team TWO on one of the origional S.T.A.B. boats in the 'nam war games.  Note the width of the river.

        

                            

                           

 Fm:  Jim Dickson   jdickson [at] aceweb.com 
 To: Doc Riojas  docrio45 [at] gmail.com 
 Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008  
Subject:  Vietnam War story about ST-1 & "Mighty Mo"

 


                      

 1966 :SEAL Team One ambushed in the Rung Sat


Mighty Mo, SEAL Team ONE's heavily armed Mike boat (LCM) is ambushed in the Rung Sat Special Zone, a four hundred square mile mangrove swamp surrounding the main (Long Tau R.) and alternate (Soi Rap R.) shipping channels between Saigon and the South China Sea. 

On Friday night, 7 OCT 66, Mighty Mo was on the upper Dong Tranh River. Also on the same river was a force in excess of 150 NVA reroute to attack the PBR base at Nha Be'. (This was revealed in documents captured in a later SEAL operation.) When the NVA heard Mighty Mo's engines they quickly set up an ambush on both sides of the narrow river. The first shot was a direct hit amidships with a motar round. The SEALs and crew of Mighty Mo responded with five .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 calibers, a mortar and a recoilless rifle. When the battle was over everyone aboard the Mike boat was wounded and fifty-eight enemy were dead. 

I remember parts of that night very well. We were at our battle stations (mine was the stern .50 cal behind the pilot house) straining to see or hear anything in that dark calm night. The engines were turning as slowly and quietly as possible. It was the loudest quiet I have ever heard. 

Then suddenly they scored a direct hit with a mortar round and both river banks erupted with gunfire. Nobody gave the order to return fire--we just did. (Couldn't have heard it anyhow.) Because I was on the stern I remember the smell of the diesel exhausts and the canvas canopy burning above my head and of course the noise level. It was the loudest night of my life. 

I remember alternating fire from one river bank to the other while trying my best to fire in short five round bursts. Shrapnel from an exploding recoilless rifle round penetrated my helmet and I was knocked out instantly. I was reloading at the time so I was looking down. If I had been looking forward it would have hit me in the face. (Lucky me.) 

I temporarily regained consciousness while they were putting me on a helicopter. Although it had died down considerably the fire fight was still going on. Again I briefly regained consciousness at the Third Field Hospital, Saigon where a chaplain was giving me the Last Rites. Within one hour of getting wounded I was being operated on by an Army neurosurgeon. When I woke up three days later the ward was full of guys from the Mike boat. 

Among the first to notice that I was awake were LCDR McCullough, BM1 Roger Moscone and an EN2 whose name I can't remember. They were standing at the foot of my bed with smiles on their faces so I knew that I would pull through. LCDR McCullough had one of those honorable John Wayne type leg wounds that enabled him to hobble around the ward with the aid of a cane to visit his men. I heard that some years later he made Captain. Good for him. He was a good officer. 

I crossed paths with a lot of heroes that night and owe them my life. Among them are whoever put a battle dressing on my head, the guys who put me on the chopper, the guys who stayed at their stations and returned fire, the helicopter crew who landed at night in a fire fight and everyone at the Third Field Hospital, Saigon. 

Army Medics have told me that most head wounds in Vietnam died. I would have been lucky to live another forty-two minutes. It has turned into forty-two years and except for dead brain cells that affect my memory I'm still going strong. Every day since then has been something extra. Even "bad days" could be worse. 

Jim Dickson

 

I just remembered Dick Pearson, SEAL Team One, Det Golf was on the fore ward starboard .50 cal the night of the ambush.   He visited me at a Mobile Riverine Force Reunion in San Diego in 2001 and filled some blank spots in my memory.    I really appreciated that. 

I just remembered Admiral Ward sent my father a letter after I was wounded (copy enclosed).   I've got to tell you that letter cut through a lot of red tape with the VA.

                               

             

         

                   

 

              

 

From: Jim Dickson
To: Doc Riojas 

Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 11:29 AM 
Subject: 7 OCT 66 - This Date in Vietnam History 


Hi Doc Riojas, 

I thought you might be interested in an email that Franklin Anderson sent out last year on 7 OCT 66. (see below) 

: This Date in Vietnam History----This was a sad day, even though we never had any KIA, We suffered some permanent injuries that forced two men to retire--LTJG Bill. Pachacek, and PO Bob Henry.  

CPO Herb Ruth was on one of the machine guns and the barrell was so hot you could see the rounds going through it. When it was all over the barrells were drooping. We lost our first casualty on 19 August 66 (Billy Machen), and from that day forward SEAL DET GOLF took vengence on the VC.

Capt Weyers (Then a LT) was instrumental in the initial success of SEAL'S actions in the RSSZ, that paved the way for their continued success, even today.

 One of the Boat Crew Jim Dickson suffered head wounds and also was retired. A GALLANT Group of men that to this day can not go through the Airport Security without setting off the alarms.

 HOOYAH - Franklin    ( I was CO of SEAL Team ONE at this time) 

Billy Machen was the point man on a patrol. As he was going through an open area he noticed the VC were lying in ambush. They were waiting for him to pass through so they could hit the main group. He instantly opened fire thus sacrificing his own life to save his team. 

As the Commander Wandres' yeoman I typed up a recommendation for the Navy Cross. The recommendation resulted in the posthumous award of a Silver Star. I was so impressed by Billy Machen's selfless act and dedication to his team that I put in a special request chit to crew on their Mike boat. 

Jim Dickson

 

From: Franklin Anderson
To Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 7:18 AM
Subject: Fw: 7 OCT 66 - This Date in Vietnam History 



This is the sequel to the previous message that Jim Dickson sent---It is interesting to note that the SEALS on the Mighty Moe accounted for approximately 58 KIA and untold wounded and broke the VC attempt to invade Nha Be.

 The follow on is that We lost Bill Pachacek and Bob Henry in the near past dying prematurely from the wounds received. "Herb Ruth was later commissioned and went into law enforcement in Utah. He passed away quite some time ago of a Heart Attack---

This group of Valiant men are fading rapidly-- CWO Moscone passed away, and it was "suspected" that Agent Orange was the culprit.

Franklin Anderson

 



This email was cleaned by email Stripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

 

                                      TAP’s 

                      
       "Boats" Bill Fischer with Ball Cap MRFA & 9th Reunion Drawbridge Inn

BMC William L. “Boats” Fischer U.S. Navy Ret. Passed away in his sleep September 4, 2008. Boats had been in declining health for a few years. Boats Fischer was a great person you would not have found a nicer shipmate and friend. He enjoyed being a MRFA member and the camaraderie that he shared with all the Army and Navy members he met . He could take a joke and give back as good as he received he will be missed by all hands Army and Navy a like. 

Boats served as a Boat Captain on PBR-97 River Section 532 7/66-7/67 out of My Tho. Boats will have his ashes buried at sea by the U S Navy.. 

You may contact the family @ Margaret Fischer 87-165 St Johns Rd. Waianae, HI. 96792-3258 (808)-   668-7494. May our brother rest in peace and find peace 

Albert Moore 

                          A Sailors Prayer 

"The Lord is my pilot, I shall not go adrift; He lighteth my passage across dark channels; He steereth me through the deep waters, He keepeth my log. He guideth me by the evening star for my safety's sake. Yea, though I sail mid the thunders and tempest of life, I shall fear no peril for Thou art with me. The vastness of thy sea upholds me. Surely fair winds and safe harbors shall be found all the days of my life; And I shall moor, fast, and secure, forever Amen. 




   EN3 Perry Underwood, PBRs Vietnam K.I.A.

Vietnam War's River Rat Community Honor One of Its Own

                click to elarge

By Ed Friedrich Friday, October 17, 2008 
BREMERTON, WASH.

Perry Underwood has a 10-story building named after him, but few know his story. The Vietnam War casualty's river-rat brothers acted Friday to keep it alive.

Members of Gamewardens Northwest rededicated a Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton hotel in the former Bainbridge Island sailor's honor, and they unveiled a display about Underwood and the Brown Water Navy with which he fought.

Underwood, of Rolling Bay, enlisted in the Navy the day after New Year's in 1966. The Bobby Darin look-alike was 19 years old. Three-and-a-half years later, he was an engineman third class aboard a river patrol boat on the upper Saigon River. While escorting a convoy, Underwood's boat came under an intense rocket and automatic weapons attack, according to his bronze star citation. He returned fire until his boat took a direct rocket hit.

Underwood and two crew members died that day, June 23, 1969. The remaining two were badly injured.

Patrolling Vietnam's inland waters was among the most dangerous jobs in the war. Those sailors earned their combat pay, and more, said first gentleman Mike Gregoire, who came up from Olympia to cut the ribbon and cake. The event brought back memories for Gregoire, who as a young lieutenant ran convoys up the Mekong River.

"When I see a guy like (Underwood), I immediately see the men in my unit," he said.

The Northwest chapter of the Gamewardens, led by president Heinz Hickethier of Belfair, put the display together. Five members of the group, who are veterans of the Vietnam River Patrol Force, attended Friday's event.

River patrol boats were used in the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1972. They were the most common craft in the River Patrol Force, Task Force 116, numbering as many as 250 boats. Their mission was to stop and search river traffic in an attempt to disrupt weapons shipments. That effort often got them in firefights with enemy soldiers on boats or on the shore.

The Mark II patrol boats were 32 feet long and 11 feet, 7 inches wide. The fiberglass hulls had water-jet drives that allowed them to operate in shallow, weed-choked rivers and canals. They only drew 2 feet of water fully loaded, could spin 180 degrees in the length of a boat and stop from full speed — 28.5 knots — in a couple lengths.

They typically carried twin .50-caliber machine guns up front, a 7.62-mm machine gun, a grenade launcher and sometimes a 20-mm cannon.

The Naval Base Kitsap building originally took Underwood's name when it opened as a bachelor's enlisted quarters on Memorial Day 1978. Structures drew names then from local sailors killed in battle. Underwood's photo and medals were pinched between two automatic glass doors that would open and shut on those trying to view them. When the building recently was renovated into a Navy hotel, Hickethier found more space to add a model river patrol boat, patches, photos, maps and other memorabilia.

 Submitted by:   Jim Dickson ;  jdickson [at] aceweb.com;  Sunday, October 19, 2008 ;  Subject: River Rat Community Honors One of Its Own

                          

 

              

  PBR Reunion 2008

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                      Photos contributed by "Pancho" OCanas

 

   
Steve Gardner and Zero Ponsdorf

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