Ralph Christopher

Riverine: Photo Album Ralph Christopher

The Riverine Photo Album is a tribute to those forces that served in the river coastal war of South Vietnam, which was made up of small units of sailors that manned forward firebases, floating detachments, and rode small fast patrol boats and the larger heavy riverine craft alongside South Vietnamese troops, mercenaries, and regional forces, who were fighting for their independence from communist rule. These Navy units were often the first to intercept communist forces trying to transport weapons and fighters into the Republic of Vietnam. Along with the 9th Infantry River Raiders, they severed communist lines and defeated their armies. And then their units were dis-established and sent home after turning over many of their beloved boats, bases, and responsibilities to the South Vietnamese Navy, whom they had trained. The River Rats and River Raiders fought for freedom and they fought with honor, but in the end they fought for each other. Praise is hardly enough.