Barber-8

Barber-8

LC: Vietnam War, 1961-1975

COSDIV 12 maintenance personnel prepare PCF-101 for shipment to NAVBASE Subic for repairs after the boat was hit by enemy recoilless rifle fire on 19 March 1969 in the Cua Dai River south of Da Nang. OIC Ens. Sonny Barber and crewman QM2 Bill Pfeffer, while trying to escape the smoke and flames in the pilothouse, were knocked overboard by explosions from a second round and the gyrations of the craft. The boat went out of control when the steering and engine control lines were severed amidship. The boat carried as passengers from Hoi An City the Navy Advisor for Coastal Group 14 and a half-dozen VN sailors. The CG advisor also was knocked overboard while standing on the port catwalk during the attack. Thought to have been killed, the three Navy men evaded enemy fire and detection for fifteen hours until rescued. PCF-101 LPO EN2 Ron Wood, manning the peak tank M-60, received the Silver Star for his actions in returning fire, taking control of the boat at the after helm, steering it downriver to the coastal group, and overseeing the evacuation of the wounded and killed. (U.S. Navy Photos – PH2 J. E. Hudson)

Sonny Barber

Swift Boat Sailors Memorial

March 19, 1969

Sonny Barber

Photographs/videos in this collection may not be published without permission. Privacy and publicity rights may also apply. Contact information: Name: Sonny Barber Email address: sonnybarber@comcast.net

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Still Image