"This is a beautifully produced book...it’s one of those reads that you won’t put down once you get started...A great subject, well-written by someone who actually served." ― Military Modelling During the Vietnam war 3500 officers and men served in the Swift Boat program in a fleet of 130 boats with no armor plating. The boats patrolled the coast and rivers of South Vietnam, with the average age of the crew being twenty-four. Their days consisted of deadly combat, intense lightning firefights, storms and many hidden dangers. This action-packed story of combat written by Dan Daly, a Vietnam combat veteran who was the Officer in Charge of PCF 76 makes you part of the Swift Boat crew. The six man crew of PCF 76 were volunteers from all over the United States, eager to serve their country in a unique type of duty not seen since the PT boats of WWII. This inexperienced and disparate group of men would meld into a combat team - a team that formed an unbreakable, lifelong bond. After training they were plunged into a 12-month tour of duty. Combat took place in the closest confines imaginable, where the enemy were hidden behind a passing sand dune or a single sniper could be concealed in an onshore bunker. In many cases the rivers became so narrow there was barely room to maneuver or turn around. The only way out might be into a deadly ambush. Dan Daly received his naval commission after graduation from Harvard College. After 18 months on a Navy destroyer, he volunteered for Swift Boat duty. After training, he and his crew served 12 months in Vietnam, 1967–68. He later founded several consulting firms and lives on Cape Cod with his family. Table of Contents Acknowledgements Preface Swift Boat Terminology Maps and Charts Section I: Swift Boat School 1. Coronado Settling in 2. SERE: Survival Training 3. Shipping out from Coronado Section II: Da Nang Arrival, Coastal Div. 12 4. Moving into the Apple 5. First Patrol 6. Taking over PCF 76 7. Top Secret Call Signs 8. Beauty Sleep 9. Ball Cap Smithson 10. The Hospital Ship USS Repose Section III: Relocating South to Chu Lai 11. Chu Lai, the Base, Cos. Div. 16 12. The Firefi ght at Cap Batangan 13. Picking up Supplies 14. The Trawler, Skunk Alpha 15. Sampan Reconnaissance 16. Homemade Explosives 17. The Village Roundup 18. Return from the Southern Outpost Section IV: Da Nang to Cua Viet 19. Dinner on the USS Repose 20. Heading North to Cua Viet 21. Project Echo 22. Farewell Good Friend Section V: Operations at An Thoi, Coastal Div. 11 23. Bob Mack’s River Insertion 24. The Return and Pick up Section VI: All in a Day’s Work 25. A Tale to Tell back in Da Nang 26. New Job, Maintenance Management 27. Puff the Magic Dragon 28. Hawaiian Rendezvous 29. Tet in the Da Nang River 30. Tough Trip to North Vietnam Section VII: Homeward Bound 31. Final Orders, Packing up 32. Welcome Home? Epilogue The Crew of PCF 76: Current Locations Swift Boat Skippers 2007 Appendix: Swift Boat Specifications "White Water Red Hot Lead is an extraordinary story of heroism and love set against a backdrop of small boat operations in Vietnam. Above all, this is a book of leadership and deserves a close read from but historians and leaders in today's turbulent world." Admiral James Stavridis USN, Dean, The Fletcher School, Tufts University "Dan Daly's book captures the essence of the U.S. Navy small boats operations in Vietnam. Combat was never far away, we built the bonds of brotherhood, often with tears and laughter, where 'above and beyond' became the norm. You got it right. Bravo Zulu." Thomas Kelly USN, Vietnam Veteran, MOH "I comment as a former Marine infantry platoon commander. Dan's book propels you, in seconds, from the laid-back and tranquil to the chaos of a firefight. If you are seeking a realistic portrayal of combat leadership in Vietnam, this is it!" Beirne Lovely USMC, Khe Sanh, Vietnam 1968 "Skipper, each page brought me back to the time when we were young and strong, brave and fearless. The events from 48 years ago: Drag racing a Navy destroyer in San Diego and flying that 'last patrol, going home' flag in Vietnam. A cherished memory is being part of the crew aboard PCF 76. 'Thank you for remembering, Dan'." Rev. Oscar E. Wells, Maj. US Army, Engineman 2nd Class USN, "Snipe" "Another fine book from Casemate that reads like fiction - amazing accounts of daring and courage in one of the worst wars in living history." Books Monthly “I have to say that it is one of the most pleasant books that I have read, and the comradeship and love that these warriors felt for themselves and others is a bright ray of sunshine in a war history...An excellent book about a little known area of an almost forgotten war and one I thoroughly enjoyed. 4.5 stars.” Army Rumour Service “The Vietnam War has had some 'classic' books written about it…and this book will be up there with them…If you have an interest in small-scale naval actions, and the Vietnam War in particular, the