Swift Boats at War in Vietnam

by Guy Gugliotta (editor), John Yeoman (Editor), Neva Sullaway (Editor)

In this oral history, Vietnam veterans recount their stories of patrol and combat on the coast and in the Mekong Delta. Developed specifically for the Vietnam War, Swift Boats were versatile craft “big enough to outrun anything they couldn’t outfight” but too small to handle even a moderate ocean chop, too loud to sneak up on anyone, and too flimsy to withstand the mildest of rocket attacks. This added challenges to an already tough navigating coastal waters for ships and sampans smuggling contraband to the Viet Cong, disrupting enemy supply lines on the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta, and inserting SEALs behind enemy lines. 

The stories in this book cover the Swift Boats’ early years, which saw search-and-inspect operations in Vietnam’s coastal waters, and their later years, when the Swift Boats' mission shifted to the Mekong Delta’s labyrinth of three-thousand miles of rivers, streams, and canals. This is an intimate, exciting oral history of Swift Boats at war in Vietnam.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2017

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since my husband passed away from a disease caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, I have wanted to know more about what he went through as a sailor on a swift boat during part of his service in the Navy. We didn't talk about it much even though we were married 50 years, because it was a difficult time in his life. This book revealed to me what he went through, and why he didn't enjoy talking about it. It was very informative and written by those that had actually been there and done exactly what he had to do. I would recommend it to anyone curious about that time in our history, and what being a "Swifty" meant.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the finest book that I have read. The authors asembled well written insights of those who served on "Swift Boats" from their inception in Viet Nam to the U.S. pullout. This book defines the Viet Nam war fiasco from early on through the bitter end. I can best define it by quoting from Ted Kenny's chapter "What the Hell Am I Doing Here?"
"I think I have earned the right to spesak of war as a horrendous waste of money and men's and women's lives. Not as Vietnam veteran against the war and not as a pacifist - just as a thinking person who looks at the facts and draws an obvious conclusion about the futility of such folly as the few pursue power and domination. And the once again, I have to ask "What the Hell Am I doing Here'

[Bookcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

New authors and narrators for me. Wow!! Loved this! All the different experiences create a myriad portrait of struggles, hardships overcame, pain, and everything that will stay with an individual. It's so interesting to hear/read/see how service members deal with being in a war, their views, and what comes after. Each war has treated our brave men and differently, especially when they come home. My heart breaks for those who came back to a home that turned its back on them. War is hell, but mostly for those fighting in it and they don't deserve hate for doing what most can't.

[a.t.m. · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book about Swift Boats in Vietnam

I really enjoy books in which individual stories comprise a single aspect of the Vietnam experience. The author has taken many stories and has immortalized men, units, and locations by writing this book. I didn’t know how vulnerable our sailors were when patrolling those areas, which were controlled by the enemy. I highly recommend this book, heroes all!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and good read of the stories of the Swift Boats in Vietnam. This one is a collection of oral histories from the vets themselves so I found it personally riveting. I tend to like the books that deal with the down and gritty instead of the over arching and this met my need.

[Jack Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly ended up with this and had no idea of what to expect but it's brilliant. A compilation of stories from those who served on the boats in Vietnam in a neat timeline. They are both harrowing and humorous.

[Terry McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swift Boats

This is a interesting read. I only knew of Swift boats because of all the trash written about John Kerry. That's why I read this book, I'm glad I did, it tells of the difficult job these men went through. Everyone who ever served on any of these boats is a hero.

[Mountain343 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written compendium of stories from various people associated with Swift Boats in Vietnam and also during Operation Just Cause.

[Robert W Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

A surpurb recap of a time of our past that shouldn't ever be forgotten.
I was in college during Vietnam and missed action there.

[Rovertoad · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informative!

Stories from cradle to grave about the progression of the swift boats of Vietnam and the men who fought them.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swift Boats were civilian boats that were modified to serve the navy during the Vietnam war. They had an aluminum hull, and were armed with several .50 caliber machine guns, M-60’s and an 80mm mortar tube. The originally patrolled the coast line preventing north Vietnamese ships from carrying contraband, including weapons, explosives, food, etc. to the Vietcong in the South. Ultimately, they also slid into a role patrolling the Mekong Delta area in the far south of the country, navigating the rivers and swamp lands where the Vietcong had their strongholds. This book is a compilation of many individual stories from different personnel who either served on the swift boats or had experiences with them. Originally the stories started out as a pamphlet for a museum, and those involved could quickly see that the stories had a much more promising future. The Author is a former Swift boat officer and set out to gather as many stories as he could. Some of these stories are incredible, and could easily be put into a movie. Good job in bringing a little-known aspect of the war to life.