Anderson, John

Coast Guard

"Whatever the chief said, I did it. There’s no questions. ‘Go do this.’ – Yes, I will, Chief. Don’t call him sir. Chief!"

Description of Interview:

After ten months aboard his first ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Bibb, Anderson volunteered for duty in Vietnam. Assigned to the 82-foot patrol boat USCGC Point Welcome, he describes his living conditions, duties, and patrols. He also describes a “friendly-fire” incident his boat was involved in shortly before his arrival. He formed life-long friendships with his shipmates, and he speaks very highly of his leadership. His worst day in Vietnam was the day he had to lead a group with medical supplies into the jungle, “I didn’t expect to come back.” His best day was the day he “cheated death” when he bent over to pick up a lighter he’d dropped, and a sniper bullet just missed him. After Vietnam, Anderson finished his time in the Coast Guard in Newport, RI and he describes a harrowing rescue in Narragansett Bay.

Key Words: Boot Camp, USCGC Bibb (WPG-31), waterboarding, SERE school, DMZ, Da Nang, Operation MARKET TIME, sampan, junks, USCGC Point Welcome (WPB-82329), 82-foot patrol boat, USCGC Point Orient (WPB-82319), Temporary Assigned Duty (TAD), YR-71, Starlight night vision scope, point man, MEDCAP, Monkey Mountain, ice cream, the Glita incident.

Key Names: Boatswain's Mate Chief Richard H. Patterson, Richard “Dick” Picard, Philip McGovern.

 
Interview Date:
November 12, 2019
 
Service Date:
1965-1969
 
Unit: 
USCGC Point Welcome (WPB-82329), Division 12, Coast Guard Squadron 1
 
Specialty:
Helmsman
 
Service Location:

I Corps: South China Sea, Da Nang, Vung Tau

 
 

Read the Complete Transcript of this Interview.