YRBM 20

YRBM 20 was originally built as the covered lighter YFN 751. Later reclassified as large covered lighter YFNB 26, the barge then underwent a conversion to a repair, berthing and messing barge and was again redesignated YRBM 20. In this new role, YRBM 20 saw action in Vietnam between 1968 and 1971. From 1969-70 it served on the Bassac River near Cambodia serving patrol boats and helicopters. This duty earned it the nickname "Delta Hilton". Today, YRBM 20 is still serving as one of the Navy's non self-propelled Repair, Berthing and Messing Barges.

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YRBM 20 History:

YRBM 20 began as the non-self-propelled covered lighter YFN 751, ordered on 11 March 1944, laid down at Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Oregon, on 24 November 1944, launched on 23 December 1944, and delivered to the Navy on 9 January 1945. Post-delivery, she was reclassified as the large covered lighter YFNB 26, continuing in service through the late 1940s-1960s as a yard and district craft. Her World War II and immediate postwar service is reflected in the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal credited to the hull. In the context of the Navy's late-1960s riverine buildup, she was converted at Naval Support Activity Saigon and formally redesignated YRBM 20 on 1 June 1968, one of a small group of former YF/YFNB hulls adapted as Repair, Berthing and Messing barges to support patrol craft and helicopter detachments in the Mekong Delta.

From 1968 into 1971, YRBM 20 served in South Vietnam as a floating forward base for Task Force 116 river patrol operations and supporting helicopter detachments. By 1969, she was anchored on a broad reach of the Bassac River near the Cambodian border, south of Chau Doc and close to Tan Chau, where she acquired the nickname "Delta Hilton" for the comparatively large berthing, messing and repair facilities she offered to rotating boat crews and aviation detachments. Contemporary accounts describe her as non-self-propelled, normally moved by tug, but also with a pusher barge secured astern fitted with diesel outboards to reposition her locally when needed. Anti-swimmer defenses and routine vigilance against floating mines were a constant, with bow and stern watches and periodic use of concussion grenades after dark - typical measures for vulnerable fixed bases in the Delta. Casualties recorded during this period include SF1 Robert H. Burgess (13 July 1969) and SN Leroy B. Mudd (29 June 1970).

In 1970, YRBM 20 figured directly in the support scheme for SEALORDS-era interdiction along the border canals. HELICOPTER ATTACK (LIGHT) SQUADRON THREE (the "Seawolves") rotated detachments through the Bassac/Tan Chau-Chau Doc sector. That year Detachment FIVE was shifted from YRBM 20 to YRBM 16, while Detachment NINE, after a period of staging elsewhere (including An Long), moved back aboard YRBM 20. From this riverborne platform, Seawolf gunships provided command-and-control lifts, insertion/extraction and armed reconnaissance in concert with PBRs and SEALs, including barrier/interdiction operations along the Grand Canal (the "Ditch") and missions associated with Operation Barrier Reef, one of the SEALORDS lines of effort. These movements and roles placed YRBM 20 at the heart of the Bassac border fight during the Vietnamization transition. Surviving photographs from late summer and autumn 1969 also show senior River Patrol Force personnel embarked or visiting the barge at Chau Doc, underscoring her status as a local hub.

In early 1971, as U.S. forces accelerated drawdown and cross-border support to Cambodia increased, YRBM 20 was tasked in February to provide emergency logistics at Tan Chau for Cambodian naval units conducting border patrols and combat operations - issuing fuel, ammunition, general stores and repair parts on demand while continuing to support PBR activity. A postmark in late March 1971 confirms her continued presence in the theater. In April 1971, she departed Vietnam: the fleet tug USS MOLALA (ATF 106) arrived at Vung Tau in mid-April and, after staging, towed YRBM 20 to Subic Bay between 15 April and 23 April 1971. This movement fits the broader pattern of turning over riverine infrastructure to the Republic of Vietnam Navy during 1971. Other barges were transferred locally later that year, while YRBM 20 herself had left the Delta by late April.

After Vietnam, YRBM 20 remained in Navy service as a non-self-propelled repair/berthing/messing barge. By the 2010s her home waters were San Diego, California, where she regularly supported crews of ships in maintenance availabilities or pier-side periods. Photographs document her alongside or in use at Naval Base San Diego and local yards. Notably, her forward superstructure carried the "Delta Hilton - YRBM 20" emblem into the 2010s, with Vietnam service awards painted below.

YRBM 20's decorations include: Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal (with multiple campaign stars), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. As a unit, she is also credited with National Defense Service Medal awards and the World War II campaign medals reflecting the hull's initial era of service.

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YRBM 20 Image Gallery:

The photo below is an undated official US Navy photo showing YRBM 20 during its Vietnam service - most likely on the Bassac River.

The photo below was contributed by Matthew McDowell. It was taken by his father and shows YRBM 20 in early 1971 likely serving on the Bassac River in Vietnam with barges and patrol boats alongside.

The photo below was taken by me and shows YRBM 20 supporting the crew of USS THACH (FFG 43) at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on September 29, 2011. The emblem on the front side of the superstructure still reads "Delta Hilton - YRBM 20" and below are the awards earned by YRBM 20 during the Vietnam War.

The photos below were taken by me and show YRBM 20 at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 2012.

The photo below was taken by me and shows YRBM 20 supporting the crew of USS McCLUSKY (FFG 41) at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 4, 2012.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows YRBM 20 at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair supporting the crew of USS HOWARD (DDG 83). The photo was taken on December 20, 2014.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show YRBM 20 at San Diego, Calif., on October 2, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show YRBM 20 at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Continental Maritime of San Diego shipyard supporting the crew of USS HIGGINS (DDG 76) on April 18, 2016.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows YRBM 20 at Naval Base Point Loma, Calif., supporting the crew of USS KEY WEST (SSN 722) on September 29, 2018.

The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show YRBM 20 at San Diego, Calif., on November 28, 2021. Note that the barge's emblem has been removed from the forward superstructure.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows YRBM 20 at San Diego, Calif., on December 28, 2021.

The photo below was taken by me and shows YRBM 20 at San Diego, Calif., on July 26, 2024.

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