ACU 1 MEMORIAL #5
LCU 1500, aka the “Jinxed Boat”
The Assault Craft Unit-1, operating as river support group out of DaNang was comprised of many types of “Brown Water” craft including PBR’s. Swift Boats, LCM’s and LCU’s. This is a tribute to The ACU-1 crews who served and gave their all during the Vietnam War. In particular my friends and brothers of the boat we knew as the “Jinxed Boat” LCU 1500. Following is my reason for seven cache hides in this series. On 28 February 1968, near Hue, Vietnam LCU 1500 was hit by a rocket, killing Kenneth Cook and wounding 6 other crew members.
One year later, on 27 February 1969, while loading 70 ton of ammunition in DaNang as a part of the Battle of Hue, an enemy rocket hit the nearly loaded craft and killed 13 crew aboard. On 14 March 1969, ACU-1 began an annual memorial to the 14 sailors that lost their lives on LCU 1500.
This cache pays tribute to 3 crew members that I considered to be my actual brothers: Ronald Gebbie and Donald Horton. The crew of the 1500 was scheduled for TDY assignment to Subic Bay, Philippines on 10 March 1969 when the boat was scheduled for retrofitting.
KIA 27 February 1969. RIP Brothers.
Watch for the thorns and creatures.