THE WALL OF FACES

SA J B Cathey was a Seaman Apprentice serving on YFU-70. In early 1968, the YFU-70 was assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) at Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The YFU-70 was a harbor utility craft capable of carrying motor vehicles or artillery and disembarking such cargo over a hinged bow ramp directly onto a beach or the ramp at the Da Nang and other NSA sites. During February, while in the throes of the Tet Offensive, NSA Da Nang craft provided logistical support for the besieged city of Hue. They were escorted into the battle zone by Navy river patrol boats and helicopter gunships. Despite the cover, craft were ambushed and attacked with varying degrees of damage and personnel loss. On February 18, 1968, Cathey was offloading cargo at the Hue ramp on the Perfume River in Thua Thien Province when the YFU-70 received enemy mortar fire. He was fatally injured after sustaining fragmentation wounds. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, Monthly Historical Supplement, February 1968” at history.navy.mil]

Never forgotten.

Semper Fortis

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace SA. Cathey, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Seaman Apprentice J.B. Cathey, Served aboard Harbor Utility Craft 70 (YFU-70), United States Naval Support Activity (DaNang), United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).