| |
Call Signs of the Mobile Riverine Force and other units in
Vietnam
Call signs of the Mobile Riverine Force were clever names meant to confuse
the enemy regarding the actual names and locations of units when communicating
over the radio. This initial call sign list was contributed by Ed
Gorczyk "Dragonfly A-3." These signs were used in the 1967-68
time period. Thanks Ed for getting this started. You may be aware of others or
you can fill in some of the blanks below. If so, please email webmaster
and I'll make the additions/corrections as necessary. You
may also remember different call signs from different years. If so, please
signify the year. We are missing several ships and a lot of 9th Army unit
call signs so please provide those and we'll get them added. Thanks to all
who have provided additions and/or corrections to the list. Your help is
much appreciated.
Latest Update:
07/16/12
|
UNIT |
Call
Sign |
| COMNAVFORV |
Moose
Hunter - Bulky Baton (Zumwalt) |
|
ComRivFlot
1 |
Kris
Kringle (CAPT Wade C. Wells), later Gannymead 6 (CAPT J.C. Now) |
| RivFlot1, Detachment
Dong Tam |
First Citizen |
|
ComRivRon
9 |
Adhesive
Tape |
|
ComRivDiv
91 |
Blue
Swords |
|
River
Division 91 Boats |
Dragonfly
(Alfa 3, Mike 1, etc.) |
| ComRivDiv
92 |
January
Juliet, Oral Stamp ('68-'69) |
|
River
Division 92 Boats |
Sair
Snips, Scotch Jewels ('68-'69) |
|
ComRivRon 11 (LCDR Dusty Rhodes 1967, CDR Sullivan
1968, CDR Sorenson, CDR Storm 1969)
|
Abominate, Cider Press (1969) |
|
ComRivDiv
111 (Lt. Charley Cox 1968, Lt. Jim Gautier 1969) |
Smoke Jumper, Ladder Yankee
(1969) |
|
River
Division 111 Boats |
Racey
Scalp |
| ComRivDiv
112 (Lt. Dana French 1969) |
Chemist,
Gesture Alpha (1969) |
|
River
Division 112 Boats |
Plain
Genius |
|
ComRivRon
13 |
Arabian
Knight |
|
ComRivDiv
131 |
Mariner India
'68-'69, then Brassrail 16 |
|
River
Division 131 Boats |
Retain
Whiskey |
| ComRivDiv
132 |
Keybrook Yankee '68-'69,
then Brassrail 26 |
|
River
Division 132 Boats |
Mainyard
Papa |
|
River
Squadron 13 Repair Boss |
Arabian
Knight 4 |
| ComRivRon
15 |
Dictograph (CDR
W.C. Deal), |
|
ComRivDiv
151 |
Admiral India - Madeira
Quebec |
|
River
Division 151 Boats |
Ladder Echo
|
| ComRivDiv
152 |
Jangle Victor |
|
River
Division 152 Boats |
Ladder
Xray |
| ComRivDiv
153, LT. J. Thomas Lopez (ADM USN Ret.) |
Farmdale |
River
Division 153/595 Boats |
Farmdale |
|
|
Birch
Reports |
|
|
Porterly
Topic |
|
Support Ships/Vessels of the MRF |
|
UNIT |
Call
Sign |
| APL-26 |
Spike
26 |
| APL-30 |
Spike
30 |
|
USS Askari (ARL-30)
|
January
Yankee |
|
USS
Benewah (APB-35) |
Keybrook
Echo (later Ladder Foxtrot) |
| USS
Blanco County (LST-344) |
Indigo
Golf |
| USS
Caroline County (LST-525) |
Retain
Alpha |
| USS
Colleton (APB-36) |
Killer
Alfa (later Dipper
Foxtrot) |
| USS Fort Marion (LSD-22) |
Jilt
November |
|
USS
Garrett County (LST-786) |
Fish
Tail |
| USS
Hampshire County (LST-819) |
Cape
Town Juliet |
| USS
Harnett County (LST-821) |
River
Lass |
| USS
Hickman County (LST-825) |
Ziggy
Bravo |
| USS
Hunterdon County (LST-838) |
Dahlia,
In 1968-69: Bright Gallant then Humdrum then Gallsworth |
| USS
Jennings County (LST-846) |
Eagleton
(later Mobilized Whiskey) |
| USS
Kemper County (LST-854) |
Aloha
Zulu |
| USS
Krishna (ARL-38) |
Capetown
Tango |
| USS
Mercer (APB-39) |
Chapel
X-Ray |
| USS Montrose (APA-212) |
Expert India |
| USS
Nueces (APB-40) |
Equal
Hotel |
| USS
Page County (LST-1076) |
Ziggy
Victor |
| USS
Pitkin County (LST-1082) |
Glen
Hill Mike |
|
USS
Satyr (ARL-23) |
Forfeit
Quebec |
| USS
Sphinx (ARL-24) |
Cabot
Foxtrot |
| USS
Sumner County (LST-1148) |
Ageless Golf |
| USS
Terrell County (LST-1157) |
Everybody's
Baby |
| USS
Tioga County (LST-1158) |
Lanslip
Mike |
| USS
Vernon County (LST-1161) |
Lanslip
Quebec |
| USS
Washoe County (LST-1165) |
Estuary
or Barbados |
| USS
Washtenaw County (LST-1166) |
Trident
Lima |
| USS
Westchester County (LST-1167) |
Retain
Mike |
| USS
Whitfield County (LST-1169) |
Naomi
Zulu |
|
USS Windham
County (LST-1170) |
Ageless
Whiskey |
| YLLC-2 (Yard Light Lifting Craft) |
Gentleman
Jim 2 |
| YLLC-5 |
Gentleman
Jim 5 |
| YR-71 |
Choking Dipper |
|
YRBM-17
at Dong Tam |
Central
Shovel - One Seven |
| YRBM-18 (formerly APL 55) |
Jato 18 (was Spike 55) |
| YTB-784 |
Glennhill Foxtrot |
| YTB-785 |
Bacardi Sierra |
|
Naval Support Activities/Bases/Detachments/Ground Support/Army
Units* |
|
UNIT |
Call
Sign |
| 1st/11th
Artillery |
Caisson |
| 1st
Brigade CO |
Gun
Fighter 6 (Col. Hank Emerson) |
| 1st
Brigade CO |
Mal
Hombre (Col. Gervasie sp?) |
| HHC
2nd
Brigade Aviation (Spotter AC) |
Cyclops |
| 2nd/47th/9th |
Panther |
| 3rd
Brigade Aircraft/Tan An |
Snowsnake |
| 3rd
Brigade CO |
??
6 |
| 3rd/34th
Artillery Battalion |
Gunner |
| 3rd/34th, Fire
Direction Center |
Gunner 09 |
| 3rd/34th, B
Battery, Fire
Direction Center |
Gunner 59 |
| 3rd/34th, B
Battery, CO |
Gunner 56 |
| 3rd/34th FO's
attached to 3rd/60th |
Gunner 51, 52
and 53 |
| 3rd/47th/9th |
Langley |
| 3rd/47th/9th
4.2 Mortars |
Mike |
| 3rd/60th/9th |
Patron,
Neptune |
| 4th/39th |
Machete |
| 4th/39th/Charlie
Co./1st Platoon Ldr. |
Machete
Charlie 1 6 Actual (thanks Jim Kirk) |
| 4th/39th/Charlie
Co./1st Platoon RTO |
Machete
Charlie 1 6 Oscar |
| 4th/47th/9th |
Fallen
Towns |
| 5th/60th/9th,
B Co. CO |
Violent
Patter |
| 6th/31st/9th |
Hunter |
|
9th Aviation Battalion - Company A - "Gunships" |
Stingray |
| 9th
Aviation Battalion - Company B "Slicks" |
Jayhawk |
| 9th
Infantry Division |
Python |
| 9th
Inf. Commanding General: Major General Julian J. Ewell |
Reliable
Six |
| 9th
Inf., 2nd Brigade CO and Asst. Div. Commander (General Fulton) |
Masher
Six |
| 191st Assault
Helicopter Company Slick Platoons (White and Yellow) |
Boomerang
# |
| 191st Assault
Helicopter Company Gunship Platoon (Red) |
Bounty
Hunter |
| 1097th
Mobile Battalion |
Why
Gossip |
| Air Force
Forward Air Controller |
Tamale (Covey
in 1972) |
| An Thoi Spotter
Planes |
Bird Dog |
|
Ben
Keo NSA |
Last
Shot |
|
Ben Luc
NSA |
Atlantic
Island |
|
Binh
Thuy ( call to launch an OV-10 strike) |
Red
Rose |
| Cat
Lo |
Courtly
Grapes |
| Chinook
CH-47 Unit |
Pachyderm |
| Chu
Lai Spotter Planes |
Jake |
| Coastal Groups 34, USN
Advisors, Ham Luong River |
Foxtrot
Golf |
| Coastal Groups 35, USN
Advisors, Co Chien River |
Foxtrot
Hotel |
| Coastal Groups 36, USN
Advisors, Bassac River |
Foxtrot India |
| Cua
Viet NSA Detachment |
Plastic
Charlie (Clipping in 1968) |
| Cua
Viet NOC |
Big
Dance |
| LCM-860
(Dodge City in Elephant Valley) |
Blueberry
Pie |
| Dong
Tam Salvage Boat |
|
| Dong
Ha NSA |
Damon |
| Go Dau Ha NSA |
Remittance |
| ISDS Unit 1 (Improved
Swimmer Defense System) attached to YRBM 21 |
Amber
Outfit |
| IUWG
(Inshore Underwater Warfare Group) 1 Vung Tau |
Senate |
| IUWG-1
/ Unit 2 Cam Ranh Bay |
Flaming
Bush - Boats were Aphrodite |
| IUWG-1
/ Unit 3 Qui Nhon |
Paperwrap |
| IUWG-1
/ Unit 4 Nha Trang |
Alamo Plaza |
| IUWG-1
/ Unit 5 Vung Ro |
Lizard |
|
Moc Hoa |
Duckfern |
| Navy
Communciation Center, Dong Tam |
Boxer
Whiskey |
|
NAVCOMMSTA, Cam Ranh Bay
|
Runnamuck |
|
Navy
Chopper Cover |
Seawolf
76 (OIC) |
| NSA Dong Tam |
Boxer Whiskey |
| NSA
Nha
Be |
Moon
River |
| NSA
Saigon |
Bogus
Genius (Add a number for a YFR operating from that location) |
|
Phouc
Xuyen area Canal Blocking Operation |
Brassrail |
| RAID
71 Navy Advisors |
Farfetch |
| RAID
72 Navy Advisors |
Green
Coffin Seven Two |
| River
Assault Groups (xx) where xx designates the group |
Crazy
Razor (xx) |
| SEAL Teams at SEA FLOAT/SOLID ANCHOR
at Nam Can |
Tradewinds |
| MARS
Station Dong Tam |
AB8AZ |
| Mobile Support Team, Det C
at SEA FLOAT/SOLID ANCHOR at Nam Can |
Black
Bear |
| Mobile
Support Team 2, My Tho |
|
| MST-2
Mike Boat |
Kanute
One One |
|
Tan An |
Warsaw |
| Tay
Ninh |
Last
Shot |
|
Tra Cu
(in the beek) |
Farmdale |
|
Vung
Tau Air Support |
Abdul |
| Vung
Tau Spotter Planes |
Shotgun |
| 57 Med Detachment (Hel Amb) |
Dustoff |
* Notes to Army Call Signs: Thanks Ron Menner for this excellent information on
breaking down Army Call Signs. The following pertains to the 3rd/47th but could
easily describe other Army units by replacing the call sign. For example, Langley was the call sign for the 3rd Battalion/47th
Infantry/9th Infantry Division. Numbers were added to call signs to indicate the
unit commanders. For example,
 | Six was used for Commanding Officers (Langley Six was LTC Blackie
Bolduc), |
| Five for Executive Officers or Second in
Command |
| Four for Supply/Logistics Officers |
| Three for Operations Officers |
| Two for Intelligence Officers |
| One for Personnel Officers |
Company Commanders were, for example,
| Langley Alpha Six for A Company, 3rd/47th |
| Langley Bravo Six for B Company, 3rd/47th |
| Langley Charlie
Six for C Company, 3rd/47th |
Operations Centers were designated Three Three.
Examples: Langley Three was the operations officer of the
3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry. Rifle platoons were identified for example, as Langley Charlie Three Six
which was the Third Rifle Platoon Leader in C company of the 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry.
At the platoon level, Five would designate the
Platoon Sergeant.
Other interesting Army nomenclature:
|
SYMBOL |
UNIT |
| xxxx |
Army |
| xxx |
Corps |
| xx |
Division |
| x |
Brigade |
| !!! |
Regiment |
| !! |
Battalion or Squadron |
| ! |
Company, Troop or
Battery |
| ... |
Platoon |
| .. |
Section |
| . |
Squad |
|
SYMBOL |
UNIT |
| Crossed Sabers |
Cavalry |
| Crossed Cannons |
Artillery |
| Crossed Pistols |
Military Police |
| Crossed Rifles |
Infantry |
| Flaming Pot |
Ordnance |
| Wheels with Spokes |
Transportation |
| Tank |
Armor |
| Lightning Bolt |
Signal |
| Cross |
Medical |
| |
|
While there are exceptions to the rule, a two-number designated unit such as the 47th infantry denotes it belongs to a division
commanded by a two star General. A three-number unit such as the 205th Military
Police belong to a Corps commanded by a three-star General, and a four-number unit
such as the 4077 MASH (Hawkeye Pierce's unit) the 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital belongs to the Army Commander, a four star
General.
Helicopter Support of the 9th Infantry:
The 191st was stationed at Bearcat from 5'67 til 8'68, and then moved to
Dong Tam. They provided combat support for the 9th Infantry Division and the entire MRF, frequently landing on the Benewah and at
Nha Be Naval base for rearming, refueling, etc. Because of their extraordinary
combat record they were also called upon to support the Naval Seal teams, the 25th Inf. Division, the 1st Inf. Div. and the 199 Light Inf.
Brigade.
The 191st Assault Helicopter Company was somewhat
typical of helicopter support for the 9th Infantry. It was composed of 4
platoons. Two "Slick" platoon consisted of 10 helicopters each which
inserted, transported, and extracted troops. The white and yellow tail
markings designated the platoon so the troops would have an easy way to identify
them coming.
The third "gunship" platoon was composed of eight gunships ( armed helicopters, each with
two 8-barrel miniguns with 1,000 rounds of 7.62 per minigun, 6 rocket pods, and two door gunners with hand-held M-60 machine guns with 4,000
rounds per machine gun. The gunships provided protection to the slicks when they were inserting, or picking up, troops. They also provided
fireppower for other units, when needed.
The mechanics who took care of these ships were the fourth platoon.
|
Other US Navy/Coast Guard
Units/Vessels |
|
UNIT |
Call
Sign |
| USS Advance (MSO-510) |
Naomi Delta |
| USS Agerholm (DD-826) |
Battering Ram |
| USS Aludra (AF-55) |
Wallop Lima |
| USS Arlington (AGMR-2) = Auxillary Communications Major Relay at sea in Yankee
Station |
Jackpine |
|
USS
Biddle (DLG-34) |
Hard
Charger |
|
USS Blue (DD-744) |
Gold Eagle |
|
USS Boston (CAG-1) |
Mauler |
| USS Bradley (DE-1041) |
Comet
Express |
|
USS Brule (AKL-28) |
Native Tango |
|
USS Buchanan (DDG-14) |
Sharp Note |
|
USS
Cabildo (LSD-16) |
Wardrobe
Tango |
|
USS Canberra (CAG-2) |
Blockbuster |
|
USS Clarion River (LSMR-409) |
Catalog Xray |
|
USS Carronade (IFS-1) |
Expert Alfa |
|
USS Conflict (MSO-426) |
Camshaft Xray |
| USS Currituck (AV-7) |
Flying Goose |
| USS Enterprise (CVN-65) |
Climax |
| USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830) |
Walter |
| USS Forster (DER-34) |
Circle Drive |
| USS Forrestal (CVA-59) |
Handbook |
|
USS Henry B Wilson (DDG-7) |
Black Velvet |
| USS Hoel (DDG-13) |
Locomotive |
| USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) |
Cross Walk |
| USS Samuel N. Moore
(DD-747) |
Macaroon |
| USS New Jersey (BB-62) |
Onrush |
| USS Newport News (CA-148) |
Thunder |
| USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5) |
Fireball |
| USS Providence (CLG-6) |
Fighting Devil |
| USS St Francis River (LSMR-525) |
Abbey Tango |
| USS St. Paul (CA-73) |
Tornado |
| USS Truxton (APD-98) |
Eagle Runner |
| USS Vega (AF-59) |
Thunderbolt Mike |
| USS
White River (LSMR-536) |
Jilt
Foxtrot |
| USS William V Pratt (DLG-14) |
Sea Rogue |
| USCGC Taney (WHEC-37) |
Catapult Juliett |
| USCGC Wachusett
(WHEC-44) |
Swinging Kingdom Zulu |
| USCGC
Pontchatrain (WHEC-70) |
Pigsticker |
| US Coast Guard WPB 82308, Pt. White |
Ziggy
Yankee |
|
Task Force 115 (Swift Boat) Call
Signs
(Many thanks to Larry Wazikowski and
other Swifties for this information) |
|
UNIT |
Call
Sign |
An
Thoi
Coastal Surveillance Center |
Marshy Nephew,
then Barbados |
| COMBOATRON 1 |
Rusty Jones |
| BOATRON 1 Units |
Grimes Pass |
| COMPCFDIV 101 |
Francis Bravo |
| PCFDIV 101 Units |
Assort Foxtrot |
| COMPCFDIV 102 |
Hamilton Kilo, later Assort Mike |
| PCFDIV 102 Units |
Ledger India, later Newsboy India |
| COMPCFDIV 103 |
Pride Zebra |
| PCFDIV 103 Units |
Woolworth Bravo |
| COMPCFDIV 104 |
Expert Yankee |
|
PCFDIV 104 Units |
Trimness Lima |
| COMPCFDIV 105 |
Caribou Bravo |
|
PCFDIV 105 Units |
Hackwood Sierra |
| COMPCFDIV 107 |
Capitol Zebra |
|
PCFDIV 107 |
Boundry Lima |
| COMTF115 |
Latch |
|
TF115 Units |
Alone |
| COMTG115.1 |
Article |
|
TG115.1Units |
Flip Flop |
| COMTU115.1.1 |
New Dalton |
|
TU115.1.1Units |
Neighborhood |
| COMTU115.1.2 |
Cornelius |
|
TU115.1.2 Units |
Kit Kat |
| COMTG115.2 |
Halo Shampoo |
|
TG115.2 Units |
Caviar |
|
COSDIV 12 Units |
Turkey Dinner |
| Coastal
Division 13 |
Sepia |
| Coastal
Division 13 PCF's |
Elbow
Golf + Hull Number |
| COSDIV 16 (Chu Lai) |
Oxwood |
| Nha Trang Coastal Surveillance Center |
Halo Shampoo |
| Qui
Nhon CSC (Coastal Surveillance Center) |
Flashy |
| Vung
Tau CSC |
Sepia,
and later, Wisdom Tooth |
|
CTG 76.5 |
Company Store |
|
CTG 77.9 (Yankee Station) |
Regency |
|
CTG 77.1 (Sea Dragon) |
White Deer |
|
CTU 77.1.1 (South Yankee Station) |
Argentina |
|
YR-71 |
Hexagon 71 |
| APL-55 |
Spike 55 |
|
Task Force 116 (PBR's/STAB's) |
|
UNIT |
Call
Sign |
|
Commander
TF 116 (at Ben Luc) |
Atlantic
Island |
|
Mine
Division 113 |
Shapeless |
| MSM-14, Mine
Division 113 (Nha Be) |
Shapeless 89 |
| Naval
Operations Center, Cua Viet |
Big
Dance, boats were Kirkwood # |
| River
Section 511 |
Sky
Eagle |
| River
Section 511 - Commanding Officer |
Hand
Lash |
| River Section 515 |
Rock Creek, and later, Warsaw |
| River Section 522 |
Moosejaw, and later, Woodholly |
| River Section 531 |
Last Shot (located at Ben Keo) |
| River
Section 532 in My Tho |
Druid |
| River Section 533 |
Seahorse (Cat Lo & Nha Be), later
Michaelangelo (My Tho) |
| River Division 533 |
Golden Nugget |
| River
Section 534 |
Pineapple Bowl, and
later, Ascertain |
| River Division 535 |
Five Days |
| River Section 543 |
Stingray, and later, Confession |
| River Section 551 7/68-7/69 |
Blossom |
| River Section 551 |
Red Devil |
| River
Section 552 in Vinh Te Canal |
Literary |
|
River
Section 552 at Tra Cu |
Lansing |
| River
Division 571 |
Duck
Farm - Iron Hat |
| River
Division 572 (Song Ong Doc) |
Attain |
|
River Section 593 |
Shapeless
40-51 or perhaps 55 |
|
River Section 593
(Giant Slingshot) |
Guilt
Xray |
|
RPG 59
at Thuy Nhon |
Red
Devil |
| SEAL
Platoon ?? at Binh Thuy |
Blacksheep |
| SEAL
Detachment, Nha Be |
Barracuda |
| SEAL
Team One, Det. Golf's Mike Boat |
Porpoise
23 |
| STABRON
20 |
Racing
Danger |
Other Call Signs of Interest:
Highest Ranking Officer: General
Westmoreland: Maharaja
COMSeventhFleet - Jehovah (formerly
Blackbeard)
Spotter Planes:
Cat Killer (Army)
Bird Dog (Air Force) - Tamale
Pappy (flew a Bronco in the Danang area)
Other Air Support:
9th Div. Artillery
OH23G - Snow Snake
VP-2 (Patrol Squadron 2) - Cape Cod
VP-47 (PB3 Orion) - Seashell
Vietnamese Navy Headquarters - Swirley Pattern
Aircraft Control - Waterpipe
Chu Lai Defense Command - Evening Star
Hue Defense Command - Socialite Alfa
Decca Station at Cu Lao Re - Decca Green
Locations:
Boundry of 2C and 2D - (Any City)
Cuo Lao Re - (Any Cigarette)
Mui Batangan - (Any Street)
Mui An Hoa - (Any Beer)
Cap Sa Hoi - (Any Animal)
Cap Mia - (Any Disney Character)
Marine Corps:
CG, 1st MARDIV - Corsair
1st MARDIV - Complex (coll.)
Air Observer (USMC) - Black Coat
1st Marines/RLT-1 - Blackwell
1st BN, 1st Marines/BLT-1/1 - Today
All Stations This Net (1st MARDIV) - Crew Cut
NGF Liaison Team - 26 Oscar (preceded by After Burner in Area I, and Salted Flakes in Area II)
NILO Chu Lai - Iron Pellets Charlie
CG, III MAF - Franchise
TF Xray - Emery Wheel
CG, 3rd MARDIV - Sudden Death
Flare Ship - Spooky
III MAF - Negotiate
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons HMM-165 - Bear Cat-1
|
