The men of the unorthodox navy that patrolled Vietnam's junglelined canals, rivers, and coastal areas were poorly equipped and virtually untrained in guerrilla warfare, yet they often faced the enemy in close combat. A naval historian who served with the black berets tells their story, combining on-the-scene action with the calm analysis possible only with the passing of time.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Cutler reminds us that 1.8 million Navy and Coast Guard troops served in Vietnam (2670 killed in action), with most of the casualties sustained in coastal or riverine operations. Himself a veteran of brownwater action, the author presents a stirring collection of unit histories that starts with the arrival of the first U.S. naval adviser in Saigon in 1964 and ends in 1972 when the last American naval bases were turned over to the South Vietnamese. He chronicles the genesis and operations of Task Forces 115, 116, 117i.e., the Coastal Surveillance Force, the River Patrol Force and the Mobile Riverine Force. Most of the action consisted of small-craft interdiction patrols. Readers will find that, with one or two exceptions, the action reported here is low-keyed in comparison to most infantry-oriented books about the Vietnam war, but Cutler, who teaches at the Naval Academy, is primarily interested in publicizing the overall contribution of these special task forces, which was considerable.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This is a well-written journalistic account of some of those men in small boats who fought and died on the canals and rivers in Vietnam. Cutler writes from personal experience and interviews, paying particular attention to the human side of the war. There is little of the broad context within which these events took place, nor much criticism. The information is reliable, and some of the stories are gripping in their action. From books like this, the definitive history will be written. Illustrations not seen. For libraries with special interests in the Navy and Vietnam. Edward Gibson, Alderson Broaddus Coll. Lib., Philippi, W. Va.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for ALL Sailors and Naval/Warfare Historians,
By A Customer
This review is from: Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam (Hardcover)
As a modern day "River Rat," I started reading this book, while waiting to kick off that little invasion down in Panama, affectionately known as "Operation Just Cause" in Dec 1989, and managed to finish reading it in between "Brown Water & coastal Patrols." It's hard to put down once you start reading, and CDR Cutler does this small, sub-community of Navy Special Warfare Sailors justice (pretty unique thing to do for an officer). It's the roots & history of the U.S.N.'s "Brown Water Navy", the combat tactics and actions that are still in use to this date. I highly recommend this literature work to any person(s) that's interested in the Navy, and the and the personnel that forged the Brown Water Navy's history in the volatile rivers, canals and coast line of Viet Nam. A true reflection of courage, human spirit and dedication in the most adverse conditions. PBR= Proud, Brave & Reliable! Keep the Faith
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine military history...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam (Bluejacket Paperback Series) (Paperback)
An excellent and highly informative narrative of the nearly unknown world of the United States Navy's small craft fleet in Vietnam. A fine reminder to the sailors of today that individual heroism in a war fought with the machine gun and not missles is part of the recent naval tradition. If anyone can say they followed the path of John Paul Jones and went into harm's way, these sailors can, and LCDR Cutler has told their story well.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, factual account of the "River Rats"!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Brown Water, Black Berets (Paperback)
I was in the Naval Advisory Group at the same time as LCDR Cutler and I know where he's coming from. He did a great job of research. I'm really surprised at the volume of good factual info he managed to scrape up! BRAVO ZULU from an ex advisor at Rach Soi, Qui Nhon and Cam Ranh Bay.
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