South Vietnam has a long coastline and lots of waterways, particularly in the Mekong River Delta at the southern tip of the country.  In 1968 U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam had roughly 38,000 sailors serving in country.  Their main tasks were to prevent supplies from reaching the Viet Cong, stopping Viet Cong movements, helping move U.S. Army units along the water, and guarding ports and harbors.  It was dangerous work.  1,631 sailors were killed in action, 935 died from other causes, and 4,178 were wounded.  Lieutenant Commander Thomas Cutler served in Vietnam and tells the story.