The PBR (Patrol Boat River) formed the cornerstone of U.S. Navy strategy during the Vietnam War. At the height of the American involvement, over 290 of these remarkably versatile craft patrolled the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. They performed a variety of missions: the interdiction of weapons, supplies and troops coming from North Vietnam, searches and seizures of contraband and the extremely difficult and dangerous insertion and extraction of U.S. Navy Seal units. PBRs, affectionately referred to as "Proud, Brave, Reliable" by their crews, earned the respect of friend and foe alike. Men of these units sustained some of the War's highest casualty rates and were also some of the most decorated. The National Vietnam War Museum's boat is a salute to the men of the Brown Water Navy.
Sea - Military - Surface Warfare
Links: www.hnsa.org
By: kjfitz
"I was being ferried down the coast in a Navy PBR, a type of
plastic patrol boat, pretty common sight on the rivers. They
said it was a good way to pick up information without drawing lot
of attention. That was OK, I needed the air and the time.
Only problem was I wouldn't be alone."
CLEAN
"Morning captain."
WILLARD (v.o.)
"The crew was mostly just kids, rock and rollers with one foot in
their graves"
WILLARD
"How old are you ?"
CLEAN
"Seventeen."
WILLARD (v.o.)
"The machinist, the one they called Chef, was from New Orleans.
He was wrapped too tight for Vietnam, probably wrapped too tight
for New Orleans. Lance on the forward 50's was a famous
surfer from the beaches south of LA. You look at him
and you wouldn't believe he ever fired a weapon in his whole
life. Clean, Mr. Clean, was from some South Bronx shithole.
Light and space of Vietnam really put the zap on his head.
Then there was Phillips, the Chief. It might have been my
mission, but it sure as shit was Chief's boat."