No mater who you are, if you have a PBR project
your boat started here
Forward:
Late Fall 2004, Bob Brower received some exciting news,… it was believed that the last Army
PBR may have been located. At the 2004 458th reunion held at Ft. Eustis, it was heard that
two PBR’s were used for harbor security at and around 3rd Port at Ft Eustis. After a few calls
and an actual observation of the boat in Houlton, Wisconsin, a tiger team was assembled for
the purpose of retrieving & restoring the boat. The following is a pictorial of our efforts to
bring home J-7844, the last Army PBR.
Boat History:
In August of 1969 the US Army executed a contract with Uniflite, formally known as
United Boat Builders for three MkII PBR’s. The hull numbers of these boats were J-7842, 43 and 44.
PBR J-7844 is the last PBR built for the US Army. It is believed that the Army’s original
39 PBR’s sent to the 458th PBR in Vietnam were built under contract NC-8253. Production began
November 1967 and completed May of 1968. PBR J-7844’s contract number NC-70-0245 appears to
have been attached to a 20 boat Navy contract completed February 1970.
It is believed that these three PBR’s were to be used as replacement boats for the US Army’s
458 Trans. Co. (PBR), which had sustained combat losses in South Vietnam. However, it seems they
were not shipped due to Vietnamization programs scheduled to begin turning over the Army’s PBR to
the Vietnamese Navy in 1971.
The “44” boat was purchase at a government sale by Fred Ropkey, a military collector from Indiana.
Fred later sold to Clay Parks from Wisconsin. A team of Uniflite boat enthusiasts secured and transport
it back home to Bellingham, Washington (where all the PBR’s were built).
It is now on loan to Gamewardens of Vietnam NW Chapter at Naval Station Everett / Jim Creek for
support restoration and their continued mission to reach out to both the men and women who serve
on the waterways years ago and today regardless of uniform service.
Our Project Team:
J-7844 is owned / projected by Bob Brower
Bob was a boat captain with the 458th PBR (TC) out of Cat Lo 69/70. Bob is also the “Sole” owner
He is also past Vice President of the 458th “Sea Tigers” and Gamewardens NW Chapter”
“I’m happy to report that the Army & Navy are still working together”
“PBR Brothers Forever”
Army PBR Restoration Project
United Boat Builders / Uniflite Contract Sheet
Original 39 Boats
Notice the Screw-up in the Numbering
Courtesy
Tim Southerland
Secure Technology
Don’t take it personal…it was a fleeing moment,
after 18 hrs…sun –rain and salt spray !
My 1st Boat –J7813
ME
Some things do not change…Up there
on the 16 Boat, Dn here on the 44 Boat
My Crews then and now
Still have fun at the Reunions
2nd Boat J-7816
Army PBR Restoration Project
Bringing Her Home to Bellingham, Washington
Packed and ready to leave
Houlton, Wi. to Bellingham, Wa.
Almost home !
Arrival at Padden Creek & BIMM museum
Jerry Popovice – Driver
Bob Brower – Trucker Aide 2nd Cls
Denise and Clay Parks
A wonderful young couple
and American Patriots
Thank You Jack Hilde and Brownline Trucking
Clay – Buff – Bob – Lyle – Jerry
Army PBR Restoration Project
Unloading Her at Padden Creek Marine / Old Uniflite Site
“Where all the PBR’s Were Built”
Thank You Padden Creek Marine
Bellingham , Washington
Bob Moorse past
Prod. Mgr. on PBR’s
Bob
Vic Duppenthaler
past Proj. Mgr. on PBR’s
Pres. of Padden Creek Marine
Best of Friends
Jerry Popovice
Navy PBR
Bob Brower
Army PBR
Todd Warger
Historian
Army PBR Restoration Project
Some of the Navy and Army
Friends of the last Army PBR
J-7844
Vic Duppenthaler
Owner of Padden Creek Marine
Andy Ross
MP- Cogido Dock
Lives in California
“Less we forget”
Chris Duppenthaler
Is Vic’s son.
458th PBR’s Table
Diane & Bob Brower
She has been with me all the way
Art Notdtvedt Designer / Builder
Of all the PBR’s
Ralph Christopher
Writer