USS Wilhoite and USS Brister Citation

USS WILHOITE DER 397 and USS BRISTER DER 327

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

UNITED STATES NAVY COASTAL SURVEILLANCE FORCE (TASK FORCE 115)

for service set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service from 1 January 1967 to 31 March 1968 in connection with the interdiction of enemy forces and supplies into the Republic of Vietnam. Maintaining a close vigil over 1,200 miles of coastline and more than 50,000 licensed watercraft, United States Navy Coastal Surveillance Force (Task Force 115) created one of the most effective coastal barriers in naval history. Although constantly subjected to enemy fire, the task force successfully fulfilled its missions in support of the counterinsurgency effort in Vietnam. Nine large-scaled enemy attempts to infiltrate arms, ammunition, and supplies were interdicted and defeated by Task Force 115 and vast quantities of insurgent war materials were destroyed or captured. In addition to conducting almost daily naval gunfire support missions which inflicted extensive damage and destruction upon the enemy, task force units completed over seventy search and rescue missions; carried out hundreds of psychological missions and medical civic action programs; and medically evacuated numerous injured or wounded civilian and military personnel. One particularly significant mission undertaken by Task Force 115 was the training of Vietnamese Navy personnel, which resulted in greatly improved morale and professional abilities within the Vietnamese Navy. The task force also developed a multifaceted operation, without precedent in modern naval annals, to counter enemy insurgency.
The outstanding professionalism, courage, and dedication displayed by the officers and men of the Coastal Surveillance Force reflected great credit upon themselves and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

John H. Chaffee

Secretary of the Navy