This web site is dedicated to the men and their boats that served with dedication on the Cua Viet River just below the DMZ in Viet Nam. The unit was attached to CTF Clearwater in 67-68-69 and to ATSB (Advanced Tactical Support Base) Cua Viet 70. Most of the commisioned life of the division was spent working with the 3rd marine division and known as the Dong Ha River Security Group. You are welcome to browse thru the pages (for directions see information printed in red below). If you wish you may make contact by using the contact page (located under the home page button) or leave a message on the guest page. We encourage you if you or someone you know served on the LCPL's (no matter what year) to please . If you like the site please click the "like" button above.
TASK FORCE CLEARWATER ADVANCED TACTICAL SUPPORT BASE
CUA VIET, VIET NAM
LCPL (Landing Craft Personnel Light) RIVER SECURITY DIVISION
Push the play/pause button for music control:
US NAVY - ANCHORS AWEIGH
CUA VIET SHOULDER PATCH
LCPL RIVER PATROL
DIVISION BERET PATCH
DONG HA, VIET NAM
PONCHO JACKET
CUA VIET
DIVISION LOGO ON OFFICE DOOR
Please feel free to return as many times as you wish, updates are being done frequently. If captions are not showing place cursor on photo. (not all photos have captions) Click on any picture to see an enlargement of the photo. Also, with the cursor on the picture you will see in the lower right corner the picture number in that file, if they do not advance automatically click the play button by the number. In the upper right corner is a play/pause button that will control the music on that page.
U.S. Naval Support Activity, Cua Viet 1967-1970
The furthest north of the Navy’s bases in Vietnam, Cua Viet was under mortar, rocket, and ground attack for most of the war by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Because of its location on the Cua Viet River that skirted the boundary of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the base was uniquely situated to provide fuel, ammunition, administration, supplies, and construction materials to Marine and Army combat forces.In March 1967, the Da Nang NSA Detachment Cua Viet was established to augment the efforts of the nearby base at Dong Ha. Together, Cua Viet and Dong Ha provided logistical support to American and allied units operating around the DMZ area. Cua Viet acted as a trans-shipment point for supplies headed for Dong Ha. The detachment’s work was made difficult not only by enemy fire but by the physical environment. Winds and rains of the winter monsoons were particularly harsh at Cua Viet. Outside the river mouth, shoals endangered ships making the 90 nautical mile trip from Da Nang.
Crossing the bar was made difficult by shifting sand bars (solved by continuous dredging) and enemy direct fire weapons. In March 1967, the USS CAROLINE COUNTY (LST-1126) became the first major naval vessel to enter the river and tie up at Cua Viet.The 61-man detachment at Cua Viet gradually improved living conditions at the base. At first, the LST ramp consisted of one steel mat for off-load of supplies. By the end of the year, a more permanent soil and cement hardened landing area was in place. The detachment increased the efficiency of the ship-to-shore fuel line and the tank storage facility. Tankers discharged fuel at Cua Viet that was then transferred to LCM-8 landing craft with fuel bladders for further transport to Dong Ha. The Cua Viet detachment also operated a small boat repair facility and cargo staging area.As the South Vietnamese began to take over a greater combat role in the war, U.S. forces were withdrawn from such forward areas as the DMZ. Task Force CLEARWATER headquarters and a number of river patrol boats redeployed to Tan My in February 1970. At the same time, NSA Da Nang, Detachment Cua Viet was disestablished and became an ATSB for limited support of naval units. By the end of the year, all U.S. forces at Cua Viet had been withdrawn to Da Nang.
If you served at Cua Viet or know someone who did, contact us through the (in drop down under the home page) or by the comment page. Also just to say hello and where you are located. Thank You
Run your cursor over any of the listing on the title bar (across the top of the page on a computer, if you click on the title you will see information pertinent to that page. On a mobile device click on the hamburger, this will reveal page headings and arrows to show sub pages, tap picture to enlarge.) sliding the cursor over the title bar will expose sub pages that will appear below. Just slide your cursor to the page you wish and click on it, it will appear. The division member's pages are under ONE LIMA, TWO LIMA, THREE LIMA, FOUR LIMA, AND FIVE LIMA. These are the names given to each patrol area on the river. To leave a comment use the GUEST COMMENTS page found on the tab "more" along with other's that were at Cua Viet.
Patrol the River
LCPL River Security
