Patrick O. Ford
Encyclopedia
Patrick Osborne Ford was a United States Navy
sailor serving on a PBR patrol boat
who was killed in Vietnam
after he saved the lives of two of his shipmates. The US Navy posthumously awarded him the Navy Cross
and later named a frigate
, USS Ford
(FFG-54), after him.
Ford was born in San Francisco, California
, on May 2, 1942. At the age of 15, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona
, where he attended Camelback and North High School.
Shortly after graduation, Ford enlisted in the Navy. He completed basic training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, California
, and received orders to report to the NS Adak, Alaska. He reported aboard the destroyer
James E. Kyes
(DD-787) where he served as a Gunner's Mate
until the end of his enlistment in 1963.
GMG2
Ford reenlisted in 1965 and served at the NS Long Beach, California
. In 1966, he was transferred to the NSA Danang, Republic of Vietnam, where he was ordered to report aboard George K. MacKenzie
(DD-836). Following completion of his tour aboard MacKenzie, Ford was subsequently transferred to Henderson
(DD-785) where he remained until the end of his second enlistment in 1967.
Later that year Ford reenlisted for the second time at the Naval Receiving Station, San Francisco, California. He was ordered to the NAB Coronado, California
for River Patrol Craft Training. Following completion of training in 1968, GMG2 Ford was directed to report to the NSA Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned to Task Force 116, River Squadron 5, River Section 535 in 1968.
For the next five months, he served as a patrol river boat sailor, monitoring the traffic of the many rivers and coastal waterways of the area. On June 21, 1968, GMG2 Ford was serving as the aft machine-gun
ner aboard Patrol River Boat 750 as part of a two-boat patrol operating in the upper My Tho River
near the town of Cai Be
. The boats were maneuvering down the river when they spotted a sampan
fleeing into a nearby canal. The two patrol boats gave chase and captured the sampan one hundred meters further up the canal. As the patrol boat returned to the river with the captured sampan in tow, it was ambushed by a Viet Cong patrol that unleashed an overwhelming barrage of heavy machine-gunfire and rockets.
Two explosive B-40 rockets struck Ford's boat, immediately killing the patrol leader and coxswain. Within seconds, the boat was ablaze and out of control, heading directly for the Viet Cong positions. Even as the boat was hit by four additional rockets, and after suffering serious injuries, Ford tenaciously maintained a steady volume of return fire from his aft machine-gunner's station. In the face of enemy gunfire and with his clothing on fire, Ford assisted three seriously wounded shipmates into the water. Only after ensuring that all the surviving crew had left the boat did Ford make his way into the water. He was the last man alive to leave what remained of Patrol River Boat 750.
Soon after GMG2 Ford entered the water, he was killed by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire. However, his actions saved the lives of two of his shipmates. In recognition of his bravery, the US Navy posthumously awarded GMG2 Ford the Navy Cross
and later named a frigate
, USS Ford
(FFG-54), after him.
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United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor serving on a PBR patrol boat
Patrol Boat, River
Patrol Boat, River , or PBR, is the United States Navy designation for a small rigid-hulled patrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until the end of 1971...
who was killed in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
after he saved the lives of two of his shipmates. The US Navy posthumously awarded him the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
and later named a frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, USS Ford
USS Ford (FFG-54)
USS Ford , an , is a ship of the United States Navy named for Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford . Ford was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism as a patrol river boatman in the Vietnam War...
(FFG-54), after him.
Ford was born in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, on May 2, 1942. At the age of 15, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, where he attended Camelback and North High School.
Shortly after graduation, Ford enlisted in the Navy. He completed basic training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, California
Naval Training Center San Diego
Naval Training Center San Diego is a former United States Navy base located at the north end of San Diego Bay. The Naval Training Center site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many of the individual structures are designated as historic by the city of San Diego.The base...
, and received orders to report to the NS Adak, Alaska. He reported aboard the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
James E. Kyes
USS James E. Kyes (DD-787)
USS James E. Kyes was a of the United States Navy, named for Commander James E. Kyes .James E. Kyes was laid down on 27 December 1944 by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington; launched on 4 August 1945; sponsored by Mrs. James E. Kyes; and commissioned on 8 February 1946, Comdr....
(DD-787) where he served as a Gunner's Mate
Gunner's Mate
The United States Navy occupational rating of gunner's mate also known as gunsmens mate is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel to enlisted sailors who either satisfactorily complete initial Gunner's Mate "A" school training, or who "strike" for the rating as a deck seaman by...
until the end of his enlistment in 1963.
GMG2
Petty Officer Second Class
Good conductvariation,Petty OfficerSecond Classinsignia&U.S. Coast GuardPetty officer second class is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S...
Ford reenlisted in 1965 and served at the NS Long Beach, California
Long Beach Naval Shipyard
thumb|right|300px|Long Beach Naval Shipyard in 1993The Long Beach Naval Shipyard, which closed in 1997, was located at Terminal Island between the city of Long Beach and the San Pedro district of Los Angeles and approximately 23 miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport.The Long Beach...
. In 1966, he was transferred to the NSA Danang, Republic of Vietnam, where he was ordered to report aboard George K. MacKenzie
USS George K. MacKenzie (DD-836)
USS George K. MacKenzie was a of the United States Navy, named for Lieutenant Commander George K. MacKenzie .George K. MacKenzie was launched on 13 May 1945 by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Miss Donna MacKenzie, daughter; and commissioned on 13 July 1945, Commander Alvin W...
(DD-836). Following completion of his tour aboard MacKenzie, Ford was subsequently transferred to Henderson
USS Henderson (DD-785)
USS Henderson was a of the United States Navy, the second Navy ship of that name, and the first named for United States Marine Corps Major Lofton R. Henderson...
(DD-785) where he remained until the end of his second enlistment in 1967.
Later that year Ford reenlisted for the second time at the Naval Receiving Station, San Francisco, California. He was ordered to the NAB Coronado, California
Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
Naval Amphibious Base Coronado is a naval installation located across the bay from San Diego, CA. The base, situated on Silver Strand, between the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, is a major Navy shore command, supporting over 30 tenant commands, and is the West Coast focal point for special...
for River Patrol Craft Training. Following completion of training in 1968, GMG2 Ford was directed to report to the NSA Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned to Task Force 116, River Squadron 5, River Section 535 in 1968.
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
ner aboard Patrol River Boat 750 as part of a two-boat patrol operating in the upper My Tho River
Mỹ Tho River
The Mỹ Tho River is a river of Vietnam. It flows for 45 kilometres through Ben Tre Province and Tiền Giang Province....
near the town of Cai Be
Cai Be
Cái Bè is a river-land mixed town in Vietnam. It is a rural district of Tien Giang province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Along the river, there are docks that handle passengers and goods, and the floating market...
. The boats were maneuvering down the river when they spotted a sampan
Sampan
A sampan is a relatively flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat from long. Some sampans include a small shelter on board, and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters. Sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers, and are often used as traditional fishing boats...
fleeing into a nearby canal. The two patrol boats gave chase and captured the sampan one hundred meters further up the canal. As the patrol boat returned to the river with the captured sampan in tow, it was ambushed by a Viet Cong patrol that unleashed an overwhelming barrage of heavy machine-gunfire and rockets.
Two explosive B-40 rockets struck Ford's boat, immediately killing the patrol leader and coxswain. Within seconds, the boat was ablaze and out of control, heading directly for the Viet Cong positions. Even as the boat was hit by four additional rockets, and after suffering serious injuries, Ford tenaciously maintained a steady volume of return fire from his aft machine-gunner's station. In the face of enemy gunfire and with his clothing on fire, Ford assisted three seriously wounded shipmates into the water. Only after ensuring that all the surviving crew had left the boat did Ford make his way into the water. He was the last man alive to leave what remained of Patrol River Boat 750.
Soon after GMG2 Ford entered the water, he was killed by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire. However, his actions saved the lives of two of his shipmates. In recognition of his bravery, the US Navy posthumously awarded GMG2 Ford the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
and later named a frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, USS Ford
USS Ford (FFG-54)
USS Ford , an , is a ship of the United States Navy named for Gunner's Mate Patrick O. Ford . Ford was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism as a patrol river boatman in the Vietnam War...
(FFG-54), after him.