The following is from MWSA member Raul Herrera, author of Capturing Skunk Alpha and member of the Swift Boat Sailors Association (SBSA). He wanted to pass along this information for those attending the MWSA 2024 Annual Conference in September.
“I was the president of the SBSA during the time we, in concert with the Maritime Museum of San Diego, were able to secure a Swift Boat, Mark II, from Malta. Today, the museum has custody of the boat, PCF-816. Numerous Vietnam Era / SBSA area members (The Dirty Boat Guys) keep her in the best shape possible. The history is here - https://swiftboatsailorsmemorial.com/exhibits/show/pcf816/pcf_816_history.
“MWSA may already have planned tours in conjunction with the 2024 Conference, but perhaps you might be able to add this information in forthcoming conference announcements. Some of the attendees might be able to squeeze in a visit. PCF-816 is an in-the-water museum craft. Rides are available.
“In addition to the Maritime Museum, the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado is home to the Vietnam Unit Memorial where boats from three Task Force Unit (TF-115, Swift Boat PCF-104; TF-116 PBR; and TF-117, CCB-118) combat craft make up a beautiful static display. Website - http://www.vummf.com/.
“They face a memorial wall built by Task Force veterans and volunteers and was formally dedicated on 21 May 2005. The Memorial wall contains the names of the 2,564 Navy and Coast Guardsmen who died in Vietnam during the period 1960 to 1975. I can provide contact information for group or individual on-base visits.”
Thank you, Raul, for sharing this information about this unique exhibit in San Diego. Raul’s can be reached by email at raul@skunkalpha.com, and he is scheduled to be one of our seminar presenters.