PCFs Lost in Action
Eleven (11) PCFs were lost in action. Four (4) lost due to combat and seven (7) lost due to heavy seas or weather. (The information contained below is from the manual Swift Boat PCF 816 - Supplement 1, written by Robert Bolger, LTJG, '67-'68). Please click on the image once to learn more about the image. Click on the thumbnail again to open a larger version of the image. Please click on the back button twice to return to the images.
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Date
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PCF
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Cause
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Remarks
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14 Feb 1966
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4
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Command Detonated Mine
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4 Crew KIA; 2 Crew WIA
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18 Dec 1969
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8
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Surf
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PCF 1 & 8 ran aground while conducting stateside training in the surf off Bodega Bay, CA. PCF 1 was saved; PCF 8 was lost. Crew of PCF 8 survived; one crew member hospitalized.
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2 Nov 1970
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9
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Tropical Storm Nora
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As Vietnamese Navy (VNN) PCF 3904
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30 Nov 1967
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14
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Swamped, capsized, sunk
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Entrance to Cua Viet. Trying to rescue local fishermen. Crew of PCF 14 survived. Third PCF lost in the vicinity of Cua Viet November 66 to November 67 due to heavy seas. Cua Viet Detachment of (Coastal Division 12 in Da Nang) closed on 30 November 1967.
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15/16 Jun 1968
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19
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Sunk by Aircraft
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Sunk at night near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Initially attributed to friendly fire from USAF aircraft. More likely, fire from a USSR Hind helo based north of the DMZ. Four USN & one Vietnamese Navy Petty Officer KIA. See Jim Steffes’ book "Swift Boat Down."
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2 Nov 1970
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20
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Tropical Storm Nora
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As VNN PCF 3907
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22 May 1966
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41
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Shore Fire & Mine
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Came under heavy shore fire killing helmsmen & wounding radioman. Craft abandoned. Remainder of crew (with wounded) floated down river, receiving painful stings from jelly fish like critters. PCF 41 evaluated as not salvageable.
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12 Apr 1969
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43
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Recoilless Rifle, B 40 Rocket Fire
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Initial enemy fire beached the PCF and resulted in fires that detonated a substantial amount of cargo explosives. OIC KIA; remainder of Crew not injured; 3 other USN KIA & 33 WIA.
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1971
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70
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Typhoon
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As VNN PCF 3905
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6 Nov 1967
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76
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Capsized
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Entrance to Hue. Crew saved.
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15 Nov 1966
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77
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Flipped
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Entrance to Cua Viet. Bow down/stern up flip. Two crew members & one passenger lost; possibly trapped in upside down main cabin by deck plates and ammunition from main magazines.
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