THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Walter Weddell is touching. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....

SYNOPSIS: Chief Machinery Repairman Willy Scott Baker, United States Navy, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) for heroism while helping his shipmates escape from capsized Patrol Craft Fast SEVENTY-SEVEN (PCF-77), at the entrance of Thuan An River at Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 November 1966.

Willy Scott Baker

Navy and Marine Corps Medal
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Navy
Rank: Colonel
GENERAL ORDERS:
All Hands (November 1967)
CITATION:
SYNOPSIS: Chief Machinery Repairman Willy Scott Baker (NSN: 2963599), United States Navy, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) for heroism while helping his shipmates escape from capsized Patrol Craft Fast SEVENTY-SEVEN (PCF-77), at the entrance of Thuan An River at Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 November 1966.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A CHIEF MACHINERY REPAIRMAN. TODAY IS HALLOWEEN, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS IS SOON - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

On November 15, 1966, while attempting to cross the bar and enter Hue harbor, PCF 22, a Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) also known as Swift Boats, lost one man overboard. PCF 77, also in the area, maneuvered to assist in rescue operations. While doing so, the craft broached and upended in the heavy seas, promptly sinking in 13 feet of water. Helicopters in the area picked up seven people in the water, two of whom, MRC Willy S. Baker and BM3 Harry G. Brock, were dead. The man overboard from PCF 22 was picked up by his own craft. RM3 Bruce A. Timmons, who was believed to be below decks at the time the boat capsized, was not recovered, and was listed as missing, presumed dead. At the time of the incident, PCF 77 was outside the surf line, standing by to assist PCF 22 as required. The Officer-in-Charge of PCF 77, LTJG David G. Wilbourne, had previously ordered all hands into lifejackets, and was at the helm. About 20 seconds after the overboard man was reported safely back on PCF 22, a wave, estimated to be 25 to 30 feet high, lifted the stern of PCF 77 and drove the bow into the trough. The swift boat flipped end over end. The pilot house almost immediately filled with water, although all doors and windows had been secured on the orders of LTJG Wilbourne. The survivors exited through the port pilot house door, which had sprung. As the boat rapidly filled, LTJG Wilbourne was responsible for rescuing one man from the stricken craft, and Chief Baker, a qualified diver, was last seen entering the after compartment where Petty Officer Timmons was believed to be trapped. One and one-half minutes after upending, PCF 77 sank, keel up. Security elements were provided by the Marine Corps, and the salvage master of Harbor Clearance Unit One was dispatched to the scene. The bow section of PCF 77 was washed ashore 2500 yards north of the Hue River mouth. The rest of the boat broke up, and HCU-1 salvage master reported that a salvage attempt could not be effected. [Taken from swiftboats.net]