BM2  Anthony G. Chandler

Missing In Action  June 16, 1968

PCF 19

Remains Recovered And Laid To Rest

June 16, 2001

Painting Done by Mr. Mike Diebel to be presented to the Chandler family

Our Brother Tony

Today, June 16, 2001, we are gathered here to honor our fallen brother BM2 Anthony G. Chandler. I looked up the meaning of "Brother" in a dictionary and it said,

"Any one closely united; an associate; as a band of brothers."

In that sense Tony was a brother to many of us as is evidenced by the Veterans and Coast Guard personal that are here to pay our last respects to Tony on this day. We were a band of brothers who all had the same hopes and fears and we all wondered each day if it would be our last. When we loaded up the boats for a combat patrol I will always remember the "Sound Of Silence". With a Casualty rate of over 80% for the Swift Boat Sailors, not a word was said but I am sure we all had the same thoughts as our eyes met, "Good Luck My Brother, I Hope You Make It".

When a Brother was down, the only thing that mattered was trying to help him, regardless of the consequences, for you knew that he would do the same for you. This was evident by the heroic actions of PCF 12 and the Coast Guard WPB "Point Dune" on that fateful night.

Thirty-three years ago today PCF 19 set out on patrol operating with the United States Coast Guard Cutter Campbell. On board PCF 19 were LTJG John Davis, GMGSA John Anderegg, GMG2 Billy Armstrong, QM2 Frank Bowman, EN2 Edward Cruz and BM2 Tony Chandler.

At 0300 June 16, 1968 "Flash Traffic" was sent from the Naval Gunfire Officer at Alpha One. It stated that Enfield Cobra Alpha has disappeared in a flash of light and appeared to have sunk. The first vessel on scene was the WPB "Point Dune" who pulled LTJG Davis and GMGSN Anderegg, both badly wounded, from the water saving their lives.

A short time later PCF 12 and the Point Dune came under enemy aircraft fire. PCF 12 shot down one enemy aircraft and the others left the scene.

Although it is natural that we should mourn Tony's passing on this day it is also important that we celebrate his life and what he meant to each of us. To all the men of Coastal Squadron One, both Navy and Coast Guard, Tony was a wonderful brother who knew his job well and paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. No one could ask anymore of Tony.

The true measure of a man is not how long his candle burns, but how brightly. Tony's candle did not burn long enough but it did burn ever so brightly as is evidenced by the comments I have read from all those that knew and loved him and all that are here today to honor him.

My thoughts now turn now to some beautiful words that I once read which remind me of my brother Tony. They are written on the tombstone of the author Jack London who wrote "Call Of The Wild". I do not remember them verbatim, but they go something like this:

"I would rather to have lived my life as a flaming meteor burning but for an instant brightly across the night sky in all my magnificent glory for all the world to see than to have lived my life as a burned out asteroid drifting aimlessly across the heavens, devoid of all meaning of life and existence."

On this night I will take my boat out on the water. I will travel until I can no longer see land. I will gaze at the night sky and look for that shooting star and I will know when I see it that it is Tony saying "Thank you for not forgetting me on this day my brothers"

The final toll On June 16, 1968 was, LTJG John Davis and GMGSA John Anderegg, wounded in action. GMG2 Billy Armstrong and EN2 Edward Cruz, killed in action. QM2 Frank Bowman and BM2 Anthony Chandler, Missing In Action. QM2 Frank Bowman is still Missing In Action as of this day. Tony has come home.

It has been said that you have never truly departed until the last person who remembers you has passed on. If that it true then Tony will live on for a very long time, for he lives in the hearts and the minds of all of us who he touched with his kindness his generosity, his devotion to his duty, and his love.

On Behalf of "The Swift Boat Sailors Association and The United States Coast Guard Station, Fairport Ohio"

Goodbye My Brother

We love you

Joe Muharsky

RD2 United States Navy Black Berets

Vietnam, 1967, 1968, 1969

Forward machine gunner PCF 78, PCF 94