THE WALL OF FACES

Tra Cu ATSB (Advanced Tactical Support Base) was located along the Song Vam Co Dong (river) 13 kilometers (7.8 miles) northwest of Duc Hoa Air Base in Long An Province, RVN. The base formed part of Operation Giant Slingshot to interdict the flow of weapons and supplies from Cambodia to the Saigon area. On the late evening of January 31, 1969, U.S. Navy River Division 532 patrols boats (PBR’s) from Task Force 116 were headed north on the Song Vam Co Dong towards the Sugar Mill, an allied outpost upriver. At approximately 11:00 PM, the evening calm was shattered when the Viet Cong suddenly opened fire on PBR-139 from the west bank. The ship was attacked with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and recoilless rifle fire. Two projectiles launched at the vessel perforated the fiberglass hull causing a large explosion and sending the boat to the bottom of the river. The ship’s array of weapons were blown off by the blast with the exception of the forward twin .50 caliber machine guns which continued firing at enemy positions as PBR-139 went down. Another PBR plucked the four wounded crewmen one by one from the river and carried them to the Sugar Mill where they were flown by helicopter to the 12th Evacuation Hospital at Cu Chi Base Camp. One sailor in serious condition, EN3 Robert L. Blais, succumbed to his injuries. A salvage effort recovered the wreckage of PBR-139 and it was returned Tra Cu. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Paul W. Cagle at brownwater-navy.com]

Never forgotten.

Semper Fortis

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Paul Cagle is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Thank you for your service. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thank you for your service!