Eugene L. Self was born on June 2, 1946. His home of record is Carteret, NJ. He attended Carteret High School.
Eugene entered the US Navy where he attained the rank of Quarter Master Third Class (QM3). He served with PCF-9, Coastal Squadron One, TF-115, Comnavforv.
On October 18, 1966, the PCF-9 that Self was on was delivering Naval Gun Fire Support, using its 81 mm mortar, in support of some US Special Forces operations. The gun crew had just fired a white-phosphorus round and was loading a high-explosive round when it inexplicably exploded in the mortar tube. The mortar was destroyed and its piggyback .50 caliber machine-gun blown overboard. The entire fantail area of the PCF-9 was extensively damaged. Self was mortally wounded.
Sources: NJVVMF.
12/18/2008