SwiftVets.com

[BuffaloJack]

Which is the correct spelling Swiftee, Swifty or Swiftie?
Two years ago I was simply a Viet Nam Veteran or a swiftboat sailor depending upon which website I was visiting; and occasionally I was a swiftboat veteran for the same reason. Through circumstance and the luck of the draw, I served aboard several Vietnamese Navy PCFs as an advisor during '70 and '71. I was never politically active, but voted in every presidential election from 1964 to the present. When I left the service in late '71, I was advised to not wear my uniform while in transit, but to wear civvies instead, so that I could avoid getting harassed and spit on. I did this as a means of self protection, but hated John Kerry and everyone associated with VVAW and their draft dodging friends while doing it.
Earlier this year, in late July, I became aware of Swiftboat Veterans for Truth (now Swiftvets and POWs for Truth) and, as a “Swiftboat Sailor”, I sought membership in the organization, because I saw the organization as a means to correct an injustice heaped upon me and my fellow veterans by the former head of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, John Kerry. I never knew Kerry personally, but I did know him by reputation and the fact that he had been a member of COSDIV13 at one time. This fact was pointed out to me in 1971, by a buddy, while watching AFVN-TV in Vung Tau. Both of us had been attached to COSDIV13, although he was there when Kerry was, but both of us had been shuffled to Vung Tau as Vietnamization was put into effect and US staffing was reduced. I felt betrayed while watching AFVN-TV. This was a fellow swiftboat sailor who had turned against us.
In any case, sometime in the past 6 month, someone, I suspect in the press or media, started referring to us as Swiftees. Anyone got any idea who coined the term? I actually like it. It rolls off the tongue easier than swiftboat sailor. Two years ago, when someone asked what I did in Viet Nam, I would answer, “I was aboard swiftboats.” The standard reply would then be, “What’s a swiftboat?” Today, I don’t have to explain what a swiftboat is. Everyone knows. I would still like to know to whom we credit the term swiftee, and what is the correct spelling.

We were successful in keeping Kerry from becoming CinC. I hope the SOB doesn't rear his head and try again in 2008. If he does, The swiftees will be 4 years older, but ready to take him on again.
_________________
Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

[cgc]

BuffaloJack,
Personally I don't like the terms "swifty" Swiftie" or any other form of the SWIFT spelling. I really don't know why, its just a personal preference. I have always referred to myself as a Swift Boat Sailor. What has really suprised me is the fact that to all the best estimates there was only around 2,500 or so of us assigned to the Swift Boats during the entire length of the Viet Nam War. But I think after all the latest news there will be more claiming to haved sailed on the Swifts.

CGC Swift Boat Crew 6C, 68-69

[BuffaloJack]

cgc, I think you are probably right. There will probably be a bunch of people claiming to be PCF sailors. It'll be like the fakers who claim to be SEALS. I'll bet that the people who claim to be SEALS outnumber the real guys by a factor of 10 to 1. And, unfortunately, it waters down the term somewhat.
At least most of the public knows what a swift boat is now. That's a step forward, and, I'll take it.
_________________
Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

[commdog]

I will proudly say that I am a SwiftVet vet. I thank you gentlemen for your service, then and now.
/CD
_________________
Sgt of Marines, 1965 -> Forever
"Society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases." - John Adams

[mtboone]

We tend to call ourselves a Swiftie or Swifties collectively or I am a Swift boat sailor or Veteran when talking to others. It is name we like and we use it fondly among each other or derisive names to each other at reunions, but with love and respect. When I joined the Group 5 1/2 years ago they would not put my name on the 90 boat for a long time, when asked they said, " You could be a wannabe." and I told them the only person that knew what a Swift boat was on them and most others thought of PBRs. Since, Kerry most people now know what a Swift boat is and it has brougnt out some wannabes and we ask a lot of questions before being allowed to join. Hell, the SEALs have had this trouble for decades.
_________________
Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69

[cipher]

While I have no documentary evidence, there's a REAL good chance that term was coined by a US Marine. Marines have a LONG history of hanging the "ie" suffix on swabbies. From a Marine, it's a form of endearment. From anyone else, I'd say it was an attempt to diminish the true nature of the brave and heroic sailors who risked their lives on boats with less armor than your average steel beer can of the era.

I'd no more want to call a SWIFT boat sailor a "Swiftie" to his face than I'd call a SEAL a "Sealie" or a Ballistic Missile Submariner a "Boomie".

Unless it was over beers and we'd gotten the introductions handled and all. After all, them swabbies and us devil doggies have 220 years of tradition (unhampered by progress) to maintain.
_________________
USMC 69-72, 7th Comm, 3rd MarDiv, FMFPAC
US Army 75-79, 97th Sig, SHAPE, NATO
Arkansas National Guard 79
Defense contractor for US Navy, SSPO, SP-20, SP-24, OP-12 84-92

[1991932]

We will defer to the real Swift Boat Veterans as to how to address you. But whatever is agreed to, it should look like this:

SWIFT BOAT VETERAN

I'll never claim to be a SWIFT BOAT VETERAN, but I think I flew over one once. We were returning to DaNang after a close air support mission. We had done the obligatory Hawk run and were circling back for a landing. As we swept out over the South China Sea, we flew over a "PT" boat, and it looked like he was trying to catch a local fishing boat. So we wrapped it up real tight, lit the burners and made another pass over the fishing boat. When we circled back for the third time, the "PT" boat had the fishing boat stopped dead in the water. Somebody on the "PT" boat waved to us as we streaked overhead at 100' and about 400 kts. It's okay to tell war stories on this forum now that The Loser has been defeated, isn't it?

Anyway, we landed and debriefed and went on with the war. I'm sure the paperwork is down in Texas somewhere if anybody wants to look it up. And before anybody thinks it might have been PCF 93, lost on his way to Cambodia, this happened in 1966.

If you think you may have been on that "PT" boat, we were in a Marine F-4B with a rattlesnake on the tail. PM me and we'll compare notes. I took a picture of the scene (from the back seat) and could probably find it in an old foot locker if you give me a couple of weeks.

Thanks for listening. And for you fact checkers, my officer service number was 090512.
_________________
Former "War Criminal"

[mtboone]

To cipher

We would be never be offended if anyone calles us a Swiftie, we were damn proud then and we are Hell of alot more prouder now. And to 1991932, planes use to sneak up from the stern, down on the deck and get right above us and hit the after burner, Jesus that would scare the s**t out of us if we did not see him first.
_________________
Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69

[cipher]

mtboone, to me you will always be "Sir" It's a respect thing.

Nice job. And you have reason to be proud. You fought a vicious enemy then, and fought an even bigger enemy of the people 35 years later.

You have my thanks, my undying gratitude, and my most profound respect.

Even if you are a Swabbie....
_________________
USMC 69-72, 7th Comm, 3rd MarDiv, FMFPAC
US Army 75-79, 97th Sig, SHAPE, NATO
Arkansas National Guard 79
Defense contractor for US Navy, SSPO, SP-20, SP-24, OP-12 84-92

[1991932]

[commdog]

1991932
Excuse me sir, but I think you overlooked Teddy.
/CD
_________________
Sgt of Marines, 1965 -> Forever
"Society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases." - John Adams

[BuffaloJack]

1991932
The boat you flew over may have indeed been a PT. There were PT Boats there also. When I was in Qui Nhon in early 1970 (Jan or Feb) a PT came in to our swift base for refueling once. That's when I first heard the term "Nasty Boat" when referring to a PT. It tied up along several of the PCFs, and, as I recall, The "Nasty" was about half again longer than the "Swifts"; that would make it about 75 or 80 ft versus the 50 ft length of a PCF.
I feel no disrespect whatsoever being called a swiftee (swiftie). I kind of like it. It is just satisfying no not have to go into a detailed discussion involving PBRs and PTs in telling someone that I was on a PCF.
_________________
Swift Boats - Qui Nhon (12/69-4/70), Cat Lo (4/70-5/70), Vung Tau (5/70-12/71)

[LimaCharlie]

[mtboone]

The boat you flew over may have indeed been a PT. There were PT Boats there also. When I was in Qui Nhon in early 1970 (Jan or Feb) a PT came in to our swift base for refueling once. That's when I first heard the term "Nasty Boat" when referring to a PT. It tied up along several of the PCFs, and, as I recall, The "Nasty" was about half again longer than the "Swifts"; that would make it about 75 or 80 ft versus the 50 ft length of a PCF.

In 66, PTs were doing Black Ops so I do not know if they would be stopping a junk. That was a Swifties job and they covered all areas from the DMZ down. PTs were going North of the DMZ and that was only at night.
_________________
Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69

[Tom Poole]