THE WALL OF FACES

At 9:36 AM on October 18, 1966, Patrol Craft Fast 9 (PCF 9), also known as a Swift Boat, was in a position one-half mile off the east coast of Phu Quoc Island, RVN, firing mortar rounds in support of a U.S. Special Forces operations when the boat's onboard 81mm mortar exploded. Three crewmen of PCF 9 were killed and two were wounded. Minutes before the explosion, a white phosphorous round had been fired successfully. At the command to fire a high explosive round, PCF 9 suffered an explosion which was observed by personnel onboard PCF 6 and PCF 73 stationed some two and four miles away respectively. PCF 9’s mortar was totally destroyed, and the after .50 caliber machine gun was blown over the side. The afterdeck section of the craft was damaged extensively. An investigating board found no evidence of negligence or misconduct on the part of the crew. All cartridges and fuses aboard PCF 9 were removed and regarded as "suspicious" until checked out by the Naval Ordnance Systems Command. The lost crew members of PCF-9 included BM2 Hubert Tuck Jr., EN2 Gale J. Hays, and QM3 Eugene L. Self. [Taken from swiftboats.net]

Dear EN2 Gale Jackson Hays, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

We honor you today by posting a photo of you and remembering your bravery.

Gale Hays was a Swiftboat Sailor. As an EN (Engineman) he took care of the twin diesels on the boat. He also served as a gunner on the 81mm mortar and the 50cal machine gun. The job of the Swiftboats was to prevent the Communists forces from using the water to move supplies and to provide support the the Green Berets working with the South Vietnamese forces.
On 10/18/1966, PCF 9 was called for a gunfire support mission by a Green Beret force on Phu Quoc Island which is located close to the Vietnam/Cambodia border.
As they fired the boat's mortar in support of the troops on the island, something went wrong. The round in the barrel exploded, destroying the mortar and killing three of the sailors maning the gun. Two others were wounded. Along with Gale, Eugene Self and Hubert Tuck were killed by the explosion.
To all that served on Swiftboats in Vietnam, they will always be our brothers.

Gale is buried at Price Cemetery, Kanawha Co, WV.