“What did you do in the war, Daddy?” This is a question I thankfully have some answers to from my Dad’s writings and photos from Vietnam. In my role as custodian of family photos, I’m sometimes bowled over by items I come across. One recent discovery is something rare and amazing – the Coast Guard “cruise book” of the USCGC Pontchartrain (WHEC-70) during its time in Vietnam in 1970. My Dad (LeRoy Reinburg, Jr.) served as Commanding Officer for six months of the cutter’s ten-month deployment. The cruise book is a window into the Coast Guard’s service in the war and provides photos of the personnel on board along with short summaries of what they did and saw. This editor is grateful to the individuals from the Pontchartrain who compiled and printed this volume. I think it should be available for all who are interested in the Coast Guard’s history and service in Vietnam.
Thanks to the technical assistance of my husband, we post here a scanned, low-resolution PDF of the USCGC Pontchartrain’s 1970 cruise book from Vietnam. It’s an important and sometimes amusing record of life aboard the Pontchartrain during Operation Market Time in Vietnam in 1970. I’ve created an alphabetical list of all the names mentioned in the Pontch’s 1970 cruise book, as well (below). Browse the pages and tell us what you think. We’d love to hear your comments. The Coast Guard’s actions in Vietnam deserve wider attention; help us fill in the record. Were you there? What did you do in the war?
Claire,
I came across your website while searching for a copy of the 1970 USCGC Pontchartrain Vietnam cruise book. I saw the scanned copy you generously made available, but I’m hoping to find an original physical copy of the book.
I realize these are probably quite difficult to come by, but I thought I’d reach out in case you happen to know of another copy, or know of any former crew members or families who might have one they would be willing to sell.
I’d be very grateful for any leads you might have.
Hello K.C.,
I’m glad you ran across the cruise book and wish I had a physical copy available to share. If I hear of any I will be sure to post here.
Best wishes,
Claire
Hello Claire,
This is Dave Desiderio, of the Pontchartrain crew during the Vietnam deployment. I took several of the pictures in the cruise book and helped put it together. The most credit should go to Larry Alden who had some experience with annual yearbooks in college.
I have a few more pictures from that deployment that did not get into the cruise book. Most were taken during MedCaps when I would go ashore with the ship’s hospital corpsman and sometimes the doctor. We would rendezvous with MACV army or navy personnel and provide medical services to remote villages/hamlets. I will provide my email, and if you are interested, I will forward some to you.
Dave Desiderio, CDR, USCG (ret)
Hello, I just wanted to thank you for posting this. My father, James (Jim) Farrell was a DC3 on the Pontchartrain in 1970. My dad passed away in 2016. The cruise book has a few pictures of him in it and it was great seeing old pictures of him looking so young and vibrant.
I have my dad’s old camera that he took with him while serving and I think I may have a few of the original pictures (in color) from the cruise book. I also may have some other photos from his time on the Pontchartrain that I may be able to scan and share if you’re interested.
Sincerely,
K.C. Farrell
Hi there, my dad was James (Jim) Farrell. thanks for posting the digital copy of the yearbook. I saw him in a handful of pics. I think I may have some of the original photos (color) that were included in this book. I lost him in 2016 and it was great to see him so young and vibrant in some of those pics.
Hello, I was on the Pontch for the Vietnam deployment. I have lost my cruise book and am looking for a replacement. I am hopeful that extra copies might still exist. If you have any information on how I might find and purchase one I would be greatly appreciative.
I was a SA on the Deck Force and got into a scuffle with a shipmate. Had to go to a Captains Mast before Capt Reinburg. I was given 7 days of cleaning bilges in the Emgine Room. I was a better shipmate thereafter.
Hello, David,
If my Dad were still alive, he would be gratified to read your comment and to hear from you.Thank you for visiting our website and for your comment. I have an extra copy of the Pontchartrain Cruise Book from Dad’s papers and would be happy to ship it to you in exchange for some more information about your experience. First-hand stories about Dad are becoming rarer by the year, so any details you’re open to sharing would be much appreciated! I could reach out to you via email, if that’s better? And thank you for your service, sir.
—Claire Reinburg