Robert “Bob” Baker Shirley, 66, of Texas passed away on Saturday. Bob Shirley was a great friend and supporter of the Armed Forces of Malta’s Maritime Squadron, and their Swift-class patrol boat crews.

Bob was a U.S. Naval Officer who between 1967 and 1968 was in charge of Swift-boat PCF-45 in the Cam Ranh Bay and Chu Lai areas during the Vietnam War. He was commended by his commander for having performed above and beyond his duties.

He returned to sea as a civilian between 1970 and 1974 and later earned two Masters degrees and pursued a career in telecommunications, retiring from DSC Communications (now Alcatel) in 1998 as a director.

One of Bob’s great contributions was his website http://www.pcf45.com telling the life stories of young American navy sailors experiences during their year's tour on board Swift boats. He was actively involved in other Swift Boat veterans groups until the time of his death.

His connection with Malta stemmed from the two Mark III training boats wich were transferred to the Armed Forces of Malta in 1971 and continue to be of service to this day.

Between March 20 and 23, 2003, the AFM’s Maritime Squadron and the Malta Amateur Radio League celebrated with the US Swift Boat Sailors Association the activities of these boats in South East Asia and later with the AFM. As part of these activities, Special Event Station was on the air from Malta at the same time as Special Event Station operated from the Sheraton Waterside Hotel location of the SBSA reunion in Norfolk, Virginia USA. The aim of both stations was to provide an opportunity for interested radio amateurs to "visit on the air" and "participate in amateur radio" as they shared their interesting personal experiences on board these craft.

Interaction between the US Swift Boat sailors and their counterparts in Malta highlighted the pride that they have in the accomplishments of their vessels in areas separated by significant geographical distances and time.