USCGC Point Welcome

Aft view of the bridge of Point Welcome after the friendly fire incident of 11 August 1966

Point Welcome was about three-quarters of a mile south of the 17th parallel, in the limits of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ),[20] when she was attacked in the pre-dawn hours of 11 August 1966 by three U.S. Air Force aircraft while on patrol in the waters near the mouth of the Cửa Việt River.[21][22][23][24] Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) David Brostrom, and Engineman Second Class Jerry Phillips, were killed,[25] two of seven Coast Guardsmen killed in action during the Vietnam War.[5] The ship's executive officer, LTJG Ross Bell was severely wounded and several of the crew injured, leaving Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard Patterson in command.[26] A South Vietnamese liaison officer, LTJG Do Viet Vien, and civilian journalist Tim Page, were also aboard.[27]

Patterson saved the cutter and the surviving crew at great risk to himself.[24] He was awarded a Bronze Star with the combat "V" device for his actions that were described in his award citation:[28]

"The first attack caused a blazing gasoline fire on the fantail of the cutter that threatened to engulf the entire after section of the vessel. Chief Patterson, displaying the finest qualities of bravery and leadership, took charge of the situation and using a fire hose, forced the flaming liquid over the side, thus extinguishing the fire. Even as he was accomplishing this task, he saw the second aircraft attack rip through the pilothouse killing the cutter's commanding officer and seriously wounding the executive officer and the helmsman. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Chief Patterson climbed to the bridge and took command. He ordered the crew to carry the wounded to the comparative safety of the below decks area. Alone on the bridge, he then maneuvered the cutter at high speed to avoid subsequent attacks. When it became apparent that he could not successfully evade the attacking aircraft, he ran the cutter close ashore and directed the crew to abandon ship. Under his composed leadership, the wounded were wrapped in life jackets and paired with the able-bodied before going over the side. Chief Patterson kept his crew calm and organized while they were in the water and until they were picked up by rescue craft."

Point Caution came to the assistance of the Point Welcome and along with other units, rescued those in the water. Then Patterson and those of his crew who were not seriously wounded returned to their cutter and sailed Point Welcome back to Da Nang under her own power.[29][24] She was repaired and after a three-month overhaul, returned to service.[30] Investigations by the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) involving 37 witnesses were conducted from 15 to 23 August 1966 and concluded with a statement to the Commandant of the Coast Guard that:[31] In 1966 the board of investigation issued its 159-page record and recommendations, including "That no disciplinary action be taken against any personnel involved in the incident."[32] And further:[32]

"It is evident from the record that there was a lack of coordination between different component forces operating in the same area, and that existing orders and instructions pertaining to identification and recognition of friendly forces were not observed."

On 29 February and 1 March 1968, Point Welcome assisted in the destruction of an SL-class North Vietnamese trawler near Cu Lao Re island,[33] 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Da Nang.[34] On the afternoon of 29 February, the USCGC Androscoggin took the trawler under surveillance after it was detected by a P-2 Neptune aircraft 150 miles (240 km) south of the DMZ. Point Welcome and USCGC Point Grey, with two U.S. Navy Patrol Craft Fast (PCFs), waited close to shore as the trawler approached, with Androscoggin trailing.

In the early morning of 1 March 1968 as the trawler closed to within seven miles (11 km) of the coast, Androscoggin closed and challenged the vessel. After receiving no response, Androscoggin illuminated the target with 5-inch (130 mm) star shells. The trawler, positively identified as a North Vietnamese SL-class vessel, opened fire on the cutter with recoilless rifle and machine gun fire. Androscoggin returned fire with her 5-inch (130 mm) guns, scoring one hit on the trawler's "aft starboard side." As the trawler headed for the beach, two helicopters took it under fire while the Point Welcome, Point Grey and PCFs closed. Point Welcome fired 81-mm mortar illumination rounds, while Point Grey and the swift boats engaged with .50 caliber machine guns. The North Vietnamese vessel grounded 50 yards (46 m) from the mouth of the Cầu River. Point Welcome hit the target with two 81mm mortar rounds and the trawler exploded.[35] The cutters were struck by debris but suffered no casualties.[35]

She was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Navy as RVNS Nguyễn Hấn (HQ-717), 29 April 1970.[3]

• "Record of Proceedings of a Formal Board of Investigation" (PDF). Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. 15 August 1966. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
• Cutler, Thomas J. (2000). Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis. ISBN 978-1-55750-196-7.
• Kelley, Michael P. (2002). Where We Were In Vietnam. Hellgate Press, Central Point, Oregon. ISBN 978-1-55571-625-7.
• Larzelere, Alex (1997). The Coast Guard at War, Vietnam, 1965–1975. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis. ISBN 978-1-55750-529-3.
• Scheina, Robert L. (1990). U.S. Coast Guard Cutters & Craft, 1946–1990. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis. ISBN 978-0-87021-719-7.
• Scotti, Paul C. (2000). Coast Guard Action in Vietnam: Stories of Those Who Served. Hellgate Press, Central Point, OR. ISBN 978-1-55571-528-1.
• Wells II, William R. (August 1997). "The United States Coast Guard's Piggyback 81mm Mortar/.50 cal. machine gun". Vietnam Magazine. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
• Wells II, William R. "Friendly Target". Naval History Magazine. 3. 12 (June 1998).