In the spring of 1970, the Coast Guard Cutter PONTCHARTRAIN, which I commanded, was sent on a fire support mission to destroy a North Vietnamese training facility on the seaward side of a mountain, Nui Da Dung, on the Vietnam-Cambodian border. The deployment of land artillery was not suited to do the job, thus my ship was chosen since it had a five-inch gun and drew considerably less water than the only other U.S. Navy ships with similar armament.
USCGC PONTCHARTRAIN (WHEC-70) in January 1970, just prior to Southeast Asia deployment.
As soon as I was briefed on the mission, I found that we would have to proceed about 25 miles across the Mekong Delta at the highest high tide of the year to the point 100 yards offshore where the mission would begin. As I recollect, my ship drew about 16 feet with a full liquid load, and the water depths along our track varied from 18 to 22 feet, a tight squeeze. Many years before, in Rongelap Atoll, Marianas Islands, I had to take my ship through shallow and unknown waters. At that time, I used portable fathometers mounted in ship’s boats that preceded us as we explored uncharted waters. The plan was to have the boat alert our ship to any shoaling. The boats did this by use of handie talkie portable radios. On many occasions, this practice saved us from going aground. Before we left our home port of Long Beach, California, I anticipated that once again we might have a need for these fathometers, and so I obtained three, just in case.
My foresight paid off as we proceeded across the mudflats of the Mekong Delta enroute to our firing position, preceded by our fathometer-equipped boats. Several times, we smelled bottom as our wake overtook us, and the ship perceptibly slowed enough for us on the bridge to lurch forward before it regained its speed. The big difference between our Rongelap mission and our current one was that we had to conduct our mission under EMCON, that is, no electromagnetic emissions. This problem was fairly easy to solve; we just used semaphore. The tide gave us enough time to reach our firing position and return, with one hour for the mission. Any seaman will tell you that you venture into shoal water at the highest tide of the year at your own peril. The worst-case scenario would cause us to remain in our firing position for a very, very long time, until we had enough water for our return journey.
U.S. Market Time Forces, Vietnam (Wikipedia)
As we approached our firing position, I ordered all loiterers to lay below decks and all exposed personnel to wear flack jackets and steel helmets. This was because we were less than 100 yards from the shoreline, which was heavily covered with thick mangrove bushes. We were in full view of our target, and I thought we might take unfriendly fire. We anchored with a gentle offshore breeze, which pointed our bow, and thus also our five-inch gun, toward our target. With the assistance of two (as we found out later) Marine Corps spotters, we opened fire on the target, throwing the NVA into a panic as the white phosphorous rounds found their mark. Halfway into the mission, the quartermaster reported to me that a Navy LCM was coming alongside, and I asked the quartermaster to find out what they wanted, thinking it must be some dire emergency for them to come alongside a ship which is engaged in a fire support mission. He returned with the information that they were from the Navy LST we passed four or five miles back. He said, “They want to swap movies!”
Remember the cruise and all the ports we hit. Tore my knee up on Guam playing football and missed the port call to Thailand while recovering from surgery at USNH but caught up with the Pontch in Subic Bay (memories from Olongapo). Great time and met friends that last a long time. Would like to find Ron Sharp, Ltjg then. Thx for the mems and just recently found my cruise book.
I believe my dad would have been there as BT2. Has since gone home in 2017.
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your comment and for visiting the site. We recently found the Pontchartrain’s “Cruise book” from Vietnam, and I see Donald Given’s photo in there (FN Donald Given, Boilertenders) – this must be your Dad? Much appreciation for his service, and I’m sorry our Coast Guardsmen Dads are no longer with us. We’re digitizing the Cruise Book and hope to post that in a few weeks so family members can see all the great photos taken during the Pontchartrain’s Vietnam deployment. Best to you, Claire Reinburg
Ms. Reinburg,
My Dad also served in PONTCHARTRAIN (BT1 Hightower) and I’m wondering if I could get a copy of the cruise book once it is digitized.
Hi J W –
The PONTCHARTRAIN Vietnam cruise book is now posted! I do see your Dad’s name in there – hope you enjoy reading it. Some incredible photos they included. Much appreciation for your Dad’s service.
https://reinburg.net/cruise-book-of-u-s-coast-guard-cutter-pontchartrain-from-vietnam-1970/
Hello Captain Reinburg! I was wondering if you knew my dad Frederick “Skip” DuDeVoire. His DD 214 shows he was on this boat during this time. Sincerely, Mary D.
Hello Mary! Thanks for your comment – I wish my Dad were still with us to answer your question as I would have loved to send any helpful information to you. If I run across any materials in his papers that might be useful, I’ll get in touch. Best to you, Claire R.
I was their that day.On the #1 50 Cal. going in we were close. Little spooky. dat day .I was the trigger man.Not much wiggle room.
Thank you for visiting our website and sharing your comment – and thank you for your service. We’d really like to hear more about your experience on the Pontchartrain! –Claire Reinburg
I remember that day well.I was the trigger man on the #1 50 cal. going in .We did not have much wiggle room dat day. A little spooky but we did it.