vietnam unit memorial monument

.....the Navy's role during the Viet Nam War. These units are represented the three boats on static display. There is a separate obelisk dedicated to the men lost in Task Force 116 (River Patrol Force). It is a duplicate of the first one dedicated in Norfolk, VA in 1980 by the Gamewardens of Viet Nam Association. This one was originally placed neart the parade ground of the now-closed Naval Recruit Training Center in San Diego. I first saw the rough design of this monument in Redding, CA in 1996. It was made of plywood and 8 1/2x11 sheets of paper. The man behind the mission to build this did so in honor of four PBR crewmates who were killed in action in the Mekong Delta. This monument honors all sailors, Naval aviators and Coast Guardsmen who were killed in action during the war. The current classes of Special Warfare Combat Crewmen (SWCC) hold their graduation ceremonies on this site. As mentioned, this monument is maintained at no expense to the public. The school opened in 1966 when the original river patrol force sailors went through their second of three phases of training. The key to remember is that, because it is a U.S. Navy installation, you must be escorted to the site or have a military I.D. to get on board.

In order to visit this memorial you need to contact the base and be escorted on to the property. One of the Veterans who helped create this memorial met us at the gate. He was extremely informative and talked about his experiences. My husband is a Vietnam Vet and we were both really moved by our visit. This is definitely worth the effort to see. Just go to the Vietnam Memorial Coronado Island website for more information.

I was stunned at how well this was done and only wish non-military could see this (if this is on the Amphib Base). Well done, all by volunteers.

I visited this memorial with two former US Navy officers who were both Vietnam veterans. It's small and simple but you would be odd if you weren't moved by the experience.

The Memorial has been put together with care and is very nicely maintained. It is comforting to know that these individuals will never be forgotten.

You are in a highly dense military area. No reason to miss this while you are in the area. This is part of our military history.

Very sobering and solemn... Awesome experience to stand at the memorial and remember my Brothers in Arms....

A memorial wall surrounded by three brown water navy boats honors those who served and died in Vietnam. Individual names on the wall's steel plaques pay tribute to the fallen.Note, this memorial and monument are located on the Coronado Naval Amphibious base. Non-military guests must make arrangements in advance to have an escort on the base.