Daily Staff Journal 20-Dec-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.
14	0840	Report from G-2: That Long Hoa loc vic XS576884, under mortar and SA fire. VC withdrew to northeast, gunships on station, FAC coverage, both have VC under observation.
17	0925	Ref Item 14: VC size est to be 2 squads to 1 platoon vic XS570929. Gunships and air strikes operating in area, results unk.
19	1045	Msg from 3/22: The recon element was informed by PF sources at village loc vic XS895775 that a 13-man VC squad entered the village from the south. At 2000 hrs 19 Dec and collected 4,000 piasters from occupants of the village and departed at 2400 hrs, to the south. The VC were armed with M-1 carbines, 1 MG and one pistol.
20	1105	A/4/9 conducted MEDCAP opn at Binh Chanh, treated 57 patients.
21	1110	Col Wilson from Tan An enroute to 1st Bde fwd loc to visit with 2/14 Inf.
30	1710	From Capt Hagman at Tan An: At 1600 hrs PRU at XS560576 reports 3 VC KIA (BC), 4 VC Intelligence Personnel captured. Also captured 1 carbine, 500 rds ammo, 1 hand grenade, 5 field packs, 4 sets fatigues, 1 VC flag. Operation is still in progress.
35	1900	A/4/9 patrol CARDINAL enroute to ambush site at 1855 found and destroyed 3 mines. Also found 1 VC flag at XS714781.
37	1915	4/9 base camp rec'd 2 unknown caliber mortar duds (SW corner of camp) vic XS720790. Patrol directing mortar fire on source of VC mortar fire vic XS714776.
38	1917	A/4/9 patrol CARDINAL rec'd SA fire at same time base camp rec'd mortar fire.
39	1835	4/9 base camp rec'd 2 more dud mortar rounds in northeast corner of camp. ARVN "Fire Fly" checking source of mortar fire.
40	1940	4/9 has 2 Fire Fly ships, one of which rec'd SA fire with tracers from coord XS731786.
43	2045	3/22, 54th ARVN element rec'd 5 mortar rds XS876798. No casualties, no damage.
49	2400	SUMMARY: 1st Bde continues opns FAIRFAX and LANIKAI and prepares the area of emphasis into Rach Kien (XS740696). ASCC's remain established at Tan An, Ben Luc, Nha Be. 4/9 Inf continues construction of RF/PF outposts. Bn conducted a Co (-) size S&D opn with C/4/9 with negative results. B/4/9 conducted a BUSHMASTER opn with one platoon. 3/22 Inf conducted search of Phouc Lo village with Co C on the west and Co B (-) and one platoon 54th Co on the east. Suspects were detained. 2/14 today prepared for airlift into Rach Kien tomorrow. B/2/14 remains at Cu Chi and prepares for movement by air to Rach Kien. PLANS SUMMARY: 4/9 remains at Binh Chanh conducting local security about the fwd B/C. Co B will continue BUSHMASTER opn and construction of RF/PF outposts. Co C will conduct local S&D opns. 2/14 Inf Bn B & C Co's will move by air to establish a fwd base at Rach Kien. Co A will remain in Ben Luc. 3/22 Inf Co A & C and one platoon of 54th Co will continue to seal off and search village of Phuoc Lo. Co B has opn scheduled. 5th ARVN Bn continues patrolling in AO COW and BEAR.

1st Brigade S2-S3	Daily Action reported to Brigade HQ
1st Brigade S3 (rear)	Daily Action reported to Brigade HQ (Cu Chi)

ITEM`	TIME	INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.
3	0105	2/14 (Bunker 5) reports flashes or small arms firing at an azimuth of 20 to 30 degrees past Ann Margaret.