RIVER PATROL FORCE (CTF-116)
aka Operation Gamewarden

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RivPatFlotFive Welcome Aboard! Pamphlet

  CLICK HERE

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Official Naval Special Warfare Web Site

SEAL - SWCC Navy Spec. War website »

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NEWS AND FEATURED SUBMISSIONS

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************* MUST WATCH*************

 BATTLEZONE | Vietnam War Documentary | River Patrol (PBR) | S2E6 (click this)

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Exerpt from Brown Water Black Berets by LCDR-Thomas Cutler

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VietNam Era Music

Click to enjoy hundreds of clips of -->  Vietnam-era music (Firefox browser can have problems)

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Gamewardens - A Typical Month in Viet Nam

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State of Litoral/Combatant Craft Vessels

Though this article's title implies the Marines are developing these craft of course it is the Navy/Special Warfare community.

Click this link (Youtube)

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How the U.S. Military's Fast Boats Are Changing Maritime Tactics

SWCC Watch (msn.com)

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Accessing NEW Toxic Exposure Health Care and Benefits

Click Here for MORE

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Northwest Chapter's Two-Boat Patrol

This video was produced by Andre Moreno and Stephanie Castle for the North West Chapter:

 

Many, many, thanks to all the folks who got together to help with getting both the Gamewardens Association PBR and Robert Brower's PBR out on the water together in October...with much appreciated air support from the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team and the Marine Unit. (Thank You Sheriff Adam Fortney for your support!) Plus, we had an escort by the World's Finest Navy, Sailors from the U.S. Navy's Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 11!! It meant a lot to these guys who as young men patrolled the deltas, rivers and canals of Vietnam, to once again head up river in a 2 boat patrol. There were tears, hugs, laughs, and a few stories we can’t tell here. Also thank you to Bernard McVay, the Port of Everett, Stephanie Castle for getting some of this fantastic video, Stephen Sumrall for leading this rag-tag group of misfit old salts, and all the hard work of ALL the Gamewardens Association, Vietnam to present members who take care of the boats.

Click Here to view the video of this historic event

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SCRAMBLE THE SEAWOLVES!

If you haven't seen this new PBS release, you MUST see it. CLICK HERE to view story of The HA(L) -3 Seawolves who would become "the most decorated Squadron in the Vietnam War, arguably in all of Naval Aviation History".

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Veterans, Gold Star Families get free entrance to national parks, refuges, other public landsClick This

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Commissary, Military Service Exchange, and MWR Access Extended to More Veterans Beginning January Starting Jan. 1, 2020

The Department of Defense is expanding access to military commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare and recreation facilities for certain Veterans and caregivers. Those eligible for access include all service-connected Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former Prisoners of War (POW), and those approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans. To acquire the in-person privileged access, all eligible Veterans must obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). LEARN MORE

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Northwest Chapter Shares the Auburn Veterans Parade with PBR and SWCCs

Great Pics - Well Done!

Click Here to go to view their AARs

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Below is from one who is truely thankful.

On behalf of all Viet Nam veterans, we are honored, thank you Quang Nguyen. His message:

On Saturday, July 24th, 2010 the town of Prescott Valley, AZ, hosted a Freedom Rally. Quang Nguyen was asked to speak on his experience of coming to America and what it means. He spoke the following in dedication to all Vietnam Veterans. Thought you might enjoy hearing what he had to say: Start Quote: 35 years ago, if you were to tell me that I am going to stand up here speaking to a couple thousand patriots, in English, I'd laugh at you. Man, every morning I wake up thanking God for putting me and my family in the greatest country on earth. I just want you all to know that the American dream does exist and I am living the American dream. I was asked to speak to you about my experience as a first generation Vietnamese-American, but I'd rather speak to you as an American. If you hadn’t noticed, I am not white and I feel pretty comfortable with my people. I am a proud U.S citizen and here is my proof It took me 8 years to get it, waiting in endless lines, but I got it, and I am very proud of it. I still remember the images of the Tet offensive in 1968, I was six years old. Now you might want to question how a 6-year-old boy could remember anything. Trust me, those images can never be erased. I can't even imagine what it was like for young American soldiers, 10,000 miles away from home, fighting on my behalf. 35 years ago, I left South Vietnam for political asylum. The war had ended At the age of 13, I left with the understanding that I may or may not ever get to see my siblings or parents again. I was one of the first lucky 100,000 Vietnamese allowed to come to the U.S. Somehow, my family and I were reunited 5 months later , amazingly, in California. It was a miracle from God. If you haven't heard lately that this is the greatest country on earth, I am telling you that right now. It was the freedom and the opportunities presented to me that put me here with all of you tonight. I also remember the barriers that I had to overcome every step of the way. My high school counselor told me that I cannot make it to college due to my poor communication skills. I proved him wrong. I finished college. You see, all you have to do is to give this little boy an opportunity and encourage him to take and run with it. Well, I took the opportunity and here I am. This person standing tonight in front of you could not exist under a socialist/communist environment. By the way, if you think socialism is the way to go, I am sure many people here will chip in to get you a one-way ticket out of here. And if you didn't know, the only difference between socialism and communism is an AK-47 aimed at your head. That was my experience. In 1982, I stood with a thousand new immigrants, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and listening to the National Anthem for the first time as an American. To this day, I can't remember anything sweeter and more patriotic than that moment in my life. Fast forwarding, somehow I finished high school, finished college, and like any other goofball 21 year old kid, I was having a great time with my life I had a nice job and a nice apartment in Southern California. In some way and somehow, I had forgotten how I got here and why I was here. One day I was at a gas station, I saw a veteran pumping gas on the other side of the island. I don't know what made me do it, but I walked over and asked if he had served in Vietnam. He smiled and said yes. I shook and held his hand. This grown man's eyes began to well up. I walked away as fast as I could and at that very moment, I was emotionally rocked. This was a profound moment in my life. I knew something had to change in my life. It was time for me to learn how to be a good citizen. It was time for me to give back. You see, America is not just a place on the map, it isn't just a physical location. It is an ideal, a concept. And if you are an American, you must understand the concept, you must accept this concept, and most importantly, you have to fight and defend this concept This is about Freedom and not free stuff. And that is why I am standing up here Brothers and sisters, to be a real American, the very least you must do is to learn English and understand it well. In my humble opinion, you cannot be a faithful patriotic citizen if you can't speak the language of the country you live in. Take this document of 46 pages - last I looked on the Internet, there wasn't a Vietnamese translation of the U.S. Constitution. It took me a long time to get to the point of being able to converse and until this day, I still struggle to come up with the right words. It's not easy, but if it's too easy, it's not worth doing Before I knew this 46-page document, I learned of the 500,000 Americans who fought for this little boy. I learned of the 58,000 names inscribed on the black wall at the Vietnam Memorial. You are my heroes. You are my founders. At this time, I would like to ask all the Vietnam veterans to please stand. I thank you for my life. I thank you for your sacrifices, and I thank you for giving me the freedom and liberty I have today. I now ask all veterans, firefighters, and police officers, to please stand. On behalf of all first generation immigrants, I thank you for your services and may God bless you all.

Quang and Daughter, Midshipman Sarah Nguyen

Quang Nguyen Creative Director/Founder Caddis Advertising, LLC

"God Bless America" “One Flag, One Language, One Nation Under God”

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Mid-Alantic PBR Restoration Project

Managed by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter (Larry and Jerry) and Beach Marine. I am sure you will all agree a "Well Done!" is in order.

Click here to see Video.

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VA study shows parasite from Vietnam may be killing vets

VA study shows parasite from Vietnam may be killing vets

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USS Zumwalt Commissioning

Complements of/to Jerry Gandy (from email 10/17/2016)

Just returned yesterday from Baltimore MD. and the commissioning of the USS (Elmo, "Budd") Zumualt.  What a spectacular event!  It was estimated that 10,000 attended. Many high dignitaries were in attendance, including the Secretary of the Navy, who I actually spent some time chatting with, and the Chief of Naval Operations.  The Secretary stated that the next ship of the Zumualt class will be named the Lyndon B. Johnson.  The ship is super stealth and awesome in size and capabilities. (in fact, the size of a cruiser)

Bob Browers of the Northwestern Chapter of Gamewardens, Vietnam to Present presented the ship with two beautiful gifts, a silver plated, encased SKS Rifle that was actually captured in Vietnam, and donated by Larry Bissonnette, and a beautiful shadow box.  We must all thank Larry for the donation of the rifle.

Nancy Re (Bless her heart), who did a whole lot of prepping and organizing to facilitate the care and needs of Gamewardens attendees, is due many thanks, and I would like to take this opportunity to (again) add my appreciation and thanks to her.  She has developed a "Scrap Book" containing 250 photos of the proceedings, and of Gamewardens who attended.  Please honor her by reviewing them!  If you were not there, you missed a a great show!

(Our thanks to Jerry. When it is well said, repeat it. View the pictures below to see the rifle and shadow box.  Both looked teriffic, and were immediately taken to special display areas on the ship.  Special thanks to Larry Bissonnette and the NE Chapter.  To Nancy Re, on behalf of all those who attended; We deeply appreciate your efforts to insure this was a truely 'great show'.)

Click here to view pictures taken by the Gamewardens attendees of the Commissioning Ceremony of the new first-in-class stealth destroyer the USS Zumwalt. 

These pictures were taken across two days. The first day was when the presentations were made to the ship/crew immediately following the commissioning ceremony rehersal. The second day was of course the actual ceremony. Gamewardens personnel were honored by being given front and second row seats at this auspicious occasion! We were all individually greeted by the Secretary of the Navy with a handshake and words such as "So good to see you here. You know this ship was built for you guys". Click Here to see Pics from Shutterfly.

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Ken Delfino Shares some information re: VN vet service awards

In the process of doing some research for a buddy I served with whose records are horribly incomplete! He served on PCF 66, CosRon 15 from 6/66-5/67 and in RivDiv 533 from 1/68-1/69. He was on my boat and the guy who saved my life on 26JUL1968! His final DD-214 shows he was awarded the National Defense, Viet Nam Service and Viet Nam Campaign medals ONLY. He also was awarded, but never received, a Navy Commendation Medal with "V"; it was downgraded by Saigon from a Bronze Star! His records don't show the Cross of Gallantry, Civil Actions 1st Class, Navy Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation (for Tet '68) and Navy Unit Commendation he earned while on PCF 66 in CosRon 15. Then I find this other award that apparently was authorized to all Naval and Coast Guard personnel who earned the Viet Nam Service Medal and that is the Viet Nam Naval Service Medal (a Vietnamese award). The info is at: www.amervets.com/replacement/vnnv.htm.

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Anniversary VIETNAM - 50 years later 

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2015 Sea Tigers Reunion

The 158th Army Sea Tigers and individuals from RD-535 and RD-515 combine for a reunion in Virginia.  They deeply appreciate SBU-20 (our SWCC brothers) for their support.

In support of the event the two coordinators Dennis Ambruso and Dave Pizzoferrato brought their PBR's.  So, once again a two-boat patrol left the docks. They then proceeded to the Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City in support of the reunion.  Charlie stayed low in his bunkers.  

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Navy receives first MK VI patrol boat

Navy receives first MK VI patrol boat

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Scramble the Seawolves

The Vietnam story you haven't heard! The MOST DECORATED SQUADRON in naval history,HA(L)-3 SEAWOLVES ... A film is being made, click here to view the trailer.  If the Seawolves ever saved your ass  contribute to the effort to produce this film.

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U.S. Navy in Viet Nam (restored Video) MUST view

U.S. Navy in Viet Nam (restored Video) MUST view.

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SWCC/Riverine

Videos

Black Beret and their RivRon 1 Beret Flash

Riverine Squadron One after they were outfitted with the Black Beret and their RivRon 1 Beret Flash.  They procured the 200+ Black Berets and the Flashes from the Gamewardens Ass'n Ship's Store.

 

 

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Binh Thuy TF116 Memorial

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ALL Navy vessels in Viet Nam

This list identifies ships and boats involved in the inland waterways of Vietnam.  Quite extensive and in many cases explains the ships reasons for being there.

 

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WARBOATS Article About ART NORDVEDT and The PBR

Great article about the origin of the Patrol Boat River (PBR) and it's builder.

 

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THE Wall

INTERACTIVE VETERANS MEMORIAL

 

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USS Harnett County Presidential Unit Citation

Read the narrative copy from All Hands magazine [June 1970] about the USS Harnett County during Operation Giant Slingshot and view a copy of the Presidential Unit Citation »

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DD214's

It's Official!! DD-214's are now online through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

 

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Brown Water Vets Help Out

Viet Nam vets' experience on boats utilized in Iraq — 7/9/2006

By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY. Read the full article.

 

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COMNAVFORV Monthly Summaries

Commander Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV) Monthly Summaries »

 

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River Assault Group Message Board

Brown Water Navy And Delta Army Vietnam Veterans Message Board »

 

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Norfolk Re-dedication of the Gamewardens Memorial

  Herb Stephan's dedication speech - from the ceremony at the Naval Amphibious Base Special Warfare Compound at Little Creek, VA, July 18, 2003..

 

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Books and Articles

Gamewardens' Authors Corner
We've got some talented folks among us – please take a moment to peruse our library in the Ship's Store:

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