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By definition the Coast Guard defends and enforces the law on the waters of the United States. But during time of war the Coast Guard comes under the control of the US Navy. Because of this the small boats and large ships of this maritime service have been sent to waters far from the shores of this country. One of these distant battlefields was the waters around South Vietnam. The Coast Guards experience in small watercraft, anti-smuggling and search and rescue, made it a handy resource for the Navy during this conflict.

The Coast Guard experience was smaller than the other armed services in this war but it did make a unique and important contribution. This web page is an illustration of that contribution.

OFFICIAL U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTOGRAPH--Re. 6170; 4/16/66

     "A map of South Viet Nam shows the approximate locations of the bases from which Divisions 11, 12 and 13, comprising U. S. Coast Guard Squadron One, operate as part of the U.S. Navy Coastal Surveillance Force.
     The divisions are strategically located to help provide as much coverage as possible along the 700 miles of South Viet Nam coastline, roughly the length of the California coastline. The total number of 82-foot Coast Guard patrol vessels presently attached to the Squadron is twenty-six, each manned by eleven men, including two officers.
     Division 11 (nine 82-footers) operates to the south out of An Thoi, Phu Quoc Island. Division 12 (eight 82-footers) patrols out of DaNang to the north, while Division 13 (nine 82-footers) patrols in the central area out of Cat Lo, near Vung Tau, about 40 air miles southeast of Saigon.
     Divisions 11 and 12 first arrived at South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. Division 13 was added months later, arriving at Cat Lo on February 22, 1966."

USCG Point Young off South Vietnam Coast. This type is known as an 82 foot cutter. This type of ship is for close/inshore operations. Usually stationed at a friendly port or can be re-supplied at sea for an extended time by larger High Endurance cutters.

USS New Jersey and USCG Owasco off the coast of South Vietnam. The New Jersey was the last active battleship in any navy at that time (1968). USCG Owasco is a High Endurance Cutter. These types of cutters can go on extended missions away from any home port.

Winnebage, Owasco, Winona and Bibb in Subic Bay. High Endurance Cutters assigned to US Navy Seventh Fleet

Between 1968 to 1972 US Coast Guard pilots were assigned to US Air Force Search and Rescue Squadrons.

USCG Basswood, a buoy tender. This was another essential duty performed by the Coast Guard. Servicing and establishing navigational aids.