Daily Staff Journal 26-Sep-66

Daily Staff Journals maintained by 1st Brigade
Thanks to Matt Vuolo for obtaining and sharing this report.

ITEM`	TIME	INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.
		Initial log entries contain hourly sit/rep, no change.
12	0640	Dragon 2 is sending in 1 C-ration box, 1 ammo cap, 1 bag, have Dragon 2X meet chopper.
16	0740	Bn CO to 33: Check with 1st Bde S3 and be sure that they mean for 2/14 to destroy the cache found late yesterday afternoon. If these caches are to be evacuated then Engr assistance will be required to prepare LZ. Permission to destroy was granted.
33	1022	C A have 2 friendly WIA.
34	1025	Co A made contact with estimated VC squad, vic Obj PAUL and had 2 friendly WIA's.
35	1038	S3 to 33: Want you to call for dustoff to come to Dau Tieng and standby. At present Co A has 2 WIA (1 seriously wounded).
37	1042	3 to S3: At 1st road jct XT 488425 found (58) 100 lb bags of rice. It will be destroyed by dumping in river.
38	1049	1st Bde S3 (Capt Voska) to 33: Be advised a Chinook helicopter is down at XT 525366, personnel are being extracted at present time. No action required at this time.
39	1050	3 to S3: Found 4 morte 100 lb bags, along the river. It was at a logistical resupply point.
40	1100	1st Bde: Dustoff will arrive Dau Tieng in 15 minutes.
41	1107	S3 to Bn CO: (Monitored) 1st Bde reports a downed Chinook helicopter vic XT 525366. Element from Co B, 4/23 Inf at Dau Tieng will be helilifted immediately to that area to secure the downed aircraft. Lt. Rapuano alerted the plat from B/4/23 to be ready for immediate helilift to that area.
45	1130	From Bde to S3: Reference all the locations found, do not forget photographs of all cache's found.
46	1135	From 3 to 33: Reference to photographs, the only camera we have is with Alpha and the other camera got wet. If they desire pictures they will have to furnish a photographer.
47	1135	From S3 to 1st Bde: (Monitored) Found following items, (78) 100 lb bags of rice, (20) 200 lb bags of rice, (4) 55-gallon drums of kerosene. Location XT 488425.
48	1145	B/4/23 has secured the downed CH-47, negative enemy contact.
49	1155	1st Bde to S3: Bde S3 will send additional helicopters to remove rice and security element in one lift.
52	1210	From S3 to 1st Bde: Is this last cache located at a point where it could be evacuated by 3/4 ton truck? Reply was that road is interdicted between Dau Tieng and last cache discovered. Also that the 2 caches found near river would have to be evacuated by helicopter. Do not feel that 3/4 ton truck could be gotten into either area.
53	1215	From S3 to S3 Air: Check of reported rice caches shows that report of 2 rice caches each 800-900 lbs in 100 lb bags is corrected to (800-900) bags of rice in 100 lb bags in each of 2 caches total - 180,000 lbs of rice at XT 484425.
54	1215	From S3 to Bde 3: (Monitored) We have found another cache about 75m from the 2 caches reported last night. There are (800-900) 100 lb bags of rice.
55	1220	From S3 to CO: We now have a total of 130 tons rice captured in 2 separate caches.
56	1223	From 3 to 33: Plat B/4/23 says it is ready to go as soon as the chopper arrive. Downed CH-47 has lifted off at 1236 hrs.
59	1225	Recon Plat has found (25) 100 lb bags of rice at XT 485423.
60	1228	S3 to CO: Overheard VC transmission telling his people to come back on line
63	1247	Bn S3 to 33: 1st Bde is sending additional aircraft to Dau Tieng to evacuate rice caches found by 2/14. The aircraft coming from Cu Chi are to be loaded and sent back to Cu Chi. The other available aircraft will be loaded and sent to Dau Tieng, Co B 2/14 will be in charge of the loading and extraction of the rice.
65	1235	From S3 to Bde 3: At the last loc where 25 bags 100 lbs apiece, there was another 72 bags 100 lbs apiece found in one of the houses in the area of the search. There are other houses spaced about 50 meters apart and they also have bags at their locations, approximate amount unknown at present.
66	1301	From CG 25th Inf Div to S3: 25th Inf Div CG arrived at Dau Tieng airstrip at 1301 hours and was met by Col Davis, 2/14th Inf Commanding Officer.
67	1315	From S3 to 33: We now have 5 houses. Each house has 800 bags of rice weighing 100 lbs each.
69	1345	From S3 to 33: Have found 1 more house at XT 484426. There is now a total of 6 houses, three are located at 484426, the first 3 were at 484425.
70	1350	From Bn CO to S3: Is your estimate of number of bags 4,800 to 5,400 bags of rice? Reply was 4,800 to 5,400 bags o rice (100 lbs each).
71	1345	From S3 to 33: C Co heard 2 rds small arms fire fired near coord XT 488420.
72	1355	From S3 to 33: Reduce the estimate of bags in each cache from 800 to 900 bags to 500-600 bags.
74	1421	From 3 to 33: We have a contact. have received 2 or 3 rounds small arms and rifle grenades. I am with Co C at this time XT 486421.
76	1431	Co C has several casualties; have hit a heavily mined and booby-trapped area. Will need a dustoff.
80	1440	Delayed Entry: S3 to CO: (Monitored) Estimate 2 KIA and 2 WIA at this time from a claymore fired at C Co.
81	1445	Delayed Entry: S3 to 33: 15 VC were seen moving south from XT 486421.
83	1531	Bn CO to Co B CO: (Monitored) Are you prepared to initiate resupply at this time? Reply was negative.
84	1534	Co B CO to 33: Am ready for resupply by helicopters.
85	1540	B Co reported approach of three boats coming up Saigon River at 1540. Boats have markings as described this morning.
88	1545	From 3 to 33: Final report on casualties 2 KIA, 6 WIA. This is for this afternoon's action involving Co C.
89	1600	S3 to Bn CO: (Monitored) Dustoff was completed at 1600 hrs.
90	1645	Hornet 9-1 to S3: (Monitored) Hornet 9-1 spotted 5 men heading west from XT465420, asked if they were our men, reply was negative. However, they are in a no-fire zone.
92	1710	C Co to S3: Notify C Co element we need our squad bags our here tomorrow.
93	1745	S3 to 33: A Co request 1 case 7.62 linked, 2 cases M-16 ammo if possible send out tonight.
96	1900	From Box Car 4-1 to S3: Box Car 4-1 reports receiving small arms fire 5500 south of Dau Tieng.
97	1730	From CO Co C to 3: At 1415 hours Co C located 3 caches vic XT 486421, 1 cache had (11) bags 100 lbs ea (rice), 1 cache had (30-40) bags 100 lbs ea (rice), 1 cache had (30-40) bags 100 lbs ea (peanuts). Bde was notified.
98	1730	From Capt Fleming to S3: Capt Fleming stated that 25 ARVN will evaluate rice.
99	1730	Delayed Entry: From Co C to S3: At 1415 hours Co C located what is believed to be a VC hospital vic 487420. At road jct medical supplies, i.e. vials of clear type medicine, nylon mesh type tube maybe contained morphine. Medical items evacuated. 100 meters SW of RJ building 12 ft wide, 20 ft long and tin roof. Building had trenches that led away from building. Also near building there was a pit - contained refuse and maggots.
100	1730	From Co C CO to 33: The casualties today were caused when the Co C was fired on by snipers and C Co pursued the snipers at XT 487420. The VC shot a claymore and 2 KIA and 4 WIA's were the result. A fire fight followed and C Co engaged the VC who had at least 3 automatic weapons. The 2 additional WIA's resulted from the fire fight and were gunshot wounds. C Co claimed 2 VC body count.
101	1810	Bde to S3: Bde wanted to know if you can drive 3/4 ton from rice cache to river, checked with Dragon 3, reply negative.
104	1900	From S3 to 33: The 2/14th has 3 patrols going out tonight at 2000 hrs, one from each company A,B,C, and will be back at 0600 hrs tomorrow.
105	1915	From Co C to S3: Co C requests medical supplies as follows: 24 small battle dressings, 5 Cravats, 1 package morphine, 1 air way, 5 cans foot powder, 2 tubes Desenex.
106	1920	From A Co to S3: A Co request the following supplies: 1 bottle Dextras, 1 bottle sodium chloride, 2 I.V. sets, 2 battle dressings, 1 pack throat lozenges, 2 PRC-25 batteries, 1 case M-60 ammo, 100 ft detonator wire.
108	2000	From A Co to S3: Request for supplies A Co: 400 rounds 5.56 ammo, 36 rounds M-79, 100 M-60 ammo. For Recon Plat: 1 small fatigue trousers, 1 medium fatigue trousers, 1 medium fatigue jacket, 2 hand sets from ENTAC Plat, 200 feet detonator cord, 1 paid case scissors, for C Co 25 ponchos.
109	2000	From C Co to S3: Patrol 1 departing 1955 hrs, also raise VC body count to 4. We got the two that set off the claymore.
110	2000	From S3 to 33: Find out whether there is any authorized movement in the river tonight.
111	2030	S3 to 33: C Co reported that patrol 1 had to return to BC with an injure man. Man is not seriously injured, just a hand injury, dustoff not required at the moment.
112	2035	From C Co to S3: Dustoff required for injured man. Wounded man shot accidentally in finger, dustoff area marked with one night panel and flashlights. Also one man with 81mm shrapnel in leg, not serious but will be lifted out. Dustoff completed 2130 hours.
113	2245	From Col Davis to S3: 4.2 Plat will displace mortar to his location on order. Will be able to support only part of tomorrow's operation.
114	2145	From 33 to S3: We are sending H-23 at 0730 to pick up Lt. of engineers, he has a high priority mission, to report to Bde S3.
115		Delayed Entry: From Mort Plat to S3: At 2120 hours Plat engaged 3 suspected VC who had set off early warning system vic XT 487457. Fire was placed on suspect enemy position, VC withdrew north.
116	2230	S3 to 33: Co A engaged 5 personnel moving south approx 400 meters in front of Bn perimeter. Personnel engaged with small arms and M-79 rounds. The personnel fled into the woods and disappeared.
117	2000	From 33 to S3: Call S3, inform 3 that ARVN regimental CO and a major advisor requests permission to observe from C&C ship tomorrow. Then inform ARVN advisor, Capt Patterson of the outcome. Reply, not enough room on C&C.
120	2330	From S3 to 33: In front of Co A XT 493424 engaged two sampans on river moving north, sampans had lights. Element engaged with small arms and M-79 and 81mm. The sampan dispersed and moved south. Dustoff flew over river and sighted same boat, said could not tell disposition.
121		Delayed Entry: From S3 to S3 Air: Reference the Engr Officer that came to evaluate the possibilities of extraction for the rice caches, he was not able to get to the area because it was too late in the afternoon. Also choppers had been released and he had to stay in the afternoon at B/C. He will be getting transportation early tomorrow morning, as for the area of the rice caches, a 3/4 ton cannot operate in that area, there is only an ox cart trail and in order for a 3/4 ton truck to move through it has to be widened and about the second trip of the vehicle it would bog down due to soft terrain.
122	2045	From Bde to 65: Capt Vozka reports that Division states there are boats still on the river and not moving at night, will move in morning.
124	2200	Fron Bde to S3: Lancer states we are not to engage anymore sampans without there specific permission or Bde. Div feels some may not have got the word.
126	2230	From Recon Plat to S3: A Co requests 600 rounds M-60 ammo, 100 ft detonator cord.
128	1730	Delayed Entry: From S3 to 33: Co C killed two VC (BC). Co A reported 8 VC KIA (Poss) by Arty fire. Inf also located 11 bags of rice 100 lbs each, and 30-40 bags of rice 100 lbs each.

ITEM`	TIME	INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.
		Initial log entries contain hourly sit/rep, no change.
19	0746	Delayed Entry: (0740) 4/9 rec S/A sporadic sniper fire in area where chopper is downed, XS655690, Security elements enlarging area to 300-400 meters from aircraft, returning fire.
20	0755	Msg to 2/14 fwd, destroy rice found at 484425 on 25 sep.
21	0751	4/9 rpts 3/50 ARVN is helping secured downed aircraft.
22	0824	4/9 called dustoff for 2 US WIA and 1 ARVN WIA as result of sniper fire.
23	0829	G3 informed this HQ that 2nd Bde has contact with approx 10 VC vic XT637185.
24	0840	2/14 rpts all patrols are in B/C (Fwd).
27	0909	G3: VN Boat convoy moving from Binh Duong (800140) to XT482463 starting at 0800. Boats are flying VN flags and have red and white panels amidships.
31	0930	At 0725 chopper recd 1-5 rds of SA fire between 1st & 2nd lift of C/4/23 vic 645199. No hits reported.
35	1027	A/2/14 made contact with estimated VC squad vic obj PAUL. Returning fire and calling Arty fire (XT489423).
36	1033	G3 rpts poss VC company vic XS715695 as of 1000 hrs.
39	1049	A/2/14 req dustoff for 2 WIA resulting from action in item 35.
40	1052	C/2/14 loc (58) 100 lb bags of rice vic XT488425.
41	1107	2/14 element dispatched to vic XT535366 for security of downed Chinook aircraft
44	1142	Recon 2/14 found vic XT488425 (78) 100 lb bags of rice, (20) 200 lb bags of rice, and (4) 55-gal drums of kerosene.
45	1155	2/14 rpts: Plat from 4/23 is on the ground securing downed chopper. Neg contact.
47	1223	G2 rpts: 5th ARVN informs that there is a possible VC Co vic XT674177.
48	1225	C/2/14 located another 800-900 100lb bags of rice vic coord 482427.
49	1228	ARVN elements in contact with VC unit equipped with machine gun and mortar XS719711.
50	1235	Recon 2/14 located (25) 100 lb bags of rice vic 485423.
51	1238	Delayed Entry: 2/14 located (1800) 100 lb bags of rice vic coord 482427 on 25 sep.
52	1240	C/2/14 located (72) 100 lb bags of rice XT485423, appears to be a house every 50 meters.
54	1250	2/14 reported downed CH-47 chopper extracted at 1235, security element extracted 1245.
56	1329	A/2/14 loc 6 houses each containing (500-600) 100 lb bags of rice, 3 houses at XT484425 and 3 houses vic XT484426.
57	1422	C/2/14 rpts hearing 2 rds of SA fire vic 488420. They did not observe anything and fire was not directed at them.
58	1430	C/2/14 recd 2-3 rds SA fire and several rifle grenades vic XT486421. No casualties, returned fire, results unk.
59	1440	C/2/14 rpts they have hit heavily mined area vic 486421. 2 KIA & 6 WIA. Dustoff requested.
70	1750	G3 rpts ARVN unit in contact w/unknown no of VC XS741717 as of 1730.
86	2030	2/14 patrol 1 returned to base camp. Member was injured. Patrol departed B/C and returned to ambush site 2031.
88	2045	Ref item 86: Dustoff requested for WIA. Injury was result of friendly accidental discharge of wpn.
90	2112	C/2/14 fwd one WIA resulting from 81mm mortar, wounded in leg. Man evac with dustoff, ref item 86.
94	2135	Delayed Entry: From G3, 32 boats still did not reach their destination which is Tri Tam, the boats are scattered out and have moved to the side of the river for the night, will start moving North at daylight.
95	2145	A/2/14 engaged with S/A, M-79 and Arty illumination 2 sampans (one with light) XT493424. Sampans turned around and fled south.
97	2155	From G3: No boats will be engaged on Saigon River tonight.
102	2230	A/2/14 engaged 5 personnel with SA and M-79 vic XT495425. Personnel fled into jungle, unit will check area tomorrow.
103	2230	Delayed Entry (2120) 4.2 mortar plat 2/14 engaged 3 VC with SA and AW vic XT487457, VC withdrew to the north.
108	2335	Report from G2: 5th ARVN reported to Sub Sector Amor Advisor at Tri Tam that at 261300 Sep, (1) VC Bn, approx 400 men with 60mm mortars are moving from XT571571 to XT502415 with mission of disrupting river crossings and US operations. Evaluation: ARVN C-3, US F-3. Source of Information: National Police.
110	2400	SUMMARY: 1st Bde continued three separate Bn Opns LANAKAI (4/9 Inf), KALIHI (4/23 Inf), KAMUELA (2/14 Inf). 4/9 Inf continues S&D opn in conjunction with 3/50 RVN Regt vic XS660690. 4/23 Inf conducted one Company Airmobile exercise vic XT643193. 2/14 Inf continued S&D opn vic obj "B": XT488423. Plans Summary: 4/9 Inf will remain in BC continuing Base Camp construction. 4/23 will remain in FILHOL overnight & continue S&D. 2/14 Inf will continue S&D opn toward obj "C" XT490395.

1st Brigade S-1	Casualty Reports, Officer Transfers
1st Brigade S2-S3	Daily Action reported to Brigade HQ
2/14 Bn S-3	Unit Action reported to 2/14 Battalion HQ

ITEM`	TIME	INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.
8	1730	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co A 2/14 Hall, Paul B SP4 E4 261022 Sep 66. XT486421. FW left shoulder and back. S&D msn, enemy small arms fire.
9	1730	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co A 2/14 Lee, Foster C. PFC E3 261022 Sep 66. XT486421. GSW left arm. S&D msn, enemy small arms fire.
10	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle KIA. Co C 2/14 Turner, Charles PFC E3 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW left throax. S&D msn, enemy mine.
11	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co C 2/14 Morton, Robert A. 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW left hand. S&D msn, enemy mine.
12	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle KIA. Co C 2/14 Johnson, Richard C. PFC E3 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. Traumatic amputation both legs, FW trunk and head. S&D msn, enemy mine.
13	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co C 2/14 Morris, Robert L. PFC 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW Left buttock. S&D msn, enemy mine.
14	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co C 2/14 Kagler, L.W. SP4 E4 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW Left leg. S&D msn, enemy mine.
15	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co C 2/14 McBee, Donald R. PFC E3 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW both legs. S&D msn, enemy mine.
16	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co C 2/14 Nelson, Dean CPL E4 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW left abdomen. S&D msn, enemy mine.
17	1800	Rec Cas Rept Battle WIA. Co C 2/14 Smith, Ronald W. PFC E3 261433 Sep 66. XT486421. FW left abdomen. S&D msn, enemy mine.