Daily Staff Journal 27-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.
5	0240	A/3/22 element departed for village vic XS856800
8	0312	A/3/22 has sealed the village.
12	0601	A/3/22 element picked up 2 detainees.
19	0805	4/9 S-3 in C&C ship sighted roadblock vic XS692769, cleared by 50th ARVN.
21	0905	C/2/14 received sniper fire from 2 houses vic XS730696 at 0855 hrs. Fire returned, results unk.
24	1010	B/3/22 1st lift on LZ vic XS684774. The element landed near 15 personnel who ran to the south. The personnel were unarmed. B/3/22 is in pursuit. C/3/22 is to be airlifted in to the south of B/3/22 LZ to block the 15 personnel. At 1007 6 detainees were apprehended and are being returned to 3/22 Bn base for interrogation.
26	1025	C/2/14 made contact with estimated VC squad vic XS729693. Unit maneuvering and engaging enemy with 60mm mortars.
27	1035	A/2/14 rec'd SA fire from vic XS738687-XS733693. Engaging VC with 60mm mortars.
28	1050	C/2/14 sustained 1 serious WIA vic XS729693 from SA fire. Dustoff has been requested.
29	1105	C/4/9 has 4 detainees vic opn area XS695815. The 35th ARVN Co has a total of 28 detainees vic XS695810, continuing to search.
30	1110	C/3/22 platoon lifted into LZ vic XS865772 to assist B/3/22 in blocking retreat of personnel obs vic 865769 (Ref Item 24). A total of 19 detainees have been picked up in this vic and will be returned to Bn base for interrogation.
31	1115	Dustoff for C/2/14 WIA completed.
32	1116	B/3/22 encountered booby-traps vic XS865769, no casualties. Area being searched.
33	1130	C/2/14 Arty FO estimates 3 VC KIA (Poss) vic XS727692 by Arty.
35	1200	A/2/14 sustained 1 slight WIA from booby-trap vic XS737687. Evac to Bn base by C&C ship.
37	1228	C/2/14 receiving sniper fire from vic XS727687. Returning fire with SA and 60mm mortar.
40	1259	A/2/14 triggered a booby-trap at XS737686 at 1245 hrs.
42	1310	C/2/14 reports 1 VC KIA (Poss) vic XS727686 by SA fire.
44	1330	A/2/14 sustained 1 WIA (leg wound) from booby trap vic XS738687. Dustoff requested.
45	1400	A/2/14 reports numerous booby-traps vic XS737687 loc in and around houses on rice paddy dikes and in paddies. Also received sniper fire vic XS742686 at 1355 hrs. Fire returned, results unk.
46	1420	C/2/14 rec'd SA fire vic XS728684. Returned fire. VC firing ceased.
48	1510	Arty in support of C/2/14 reports 2 VC KIA (Poss) and 2 structures damaged, vic XS730693, at 1450 Arty reports 1 VC KIA (BC) and 2 structured damaged, same vic.
52	1638	C/2/14 rec'd SA fire from vic XS734689. 1 US WIA (serious), dustoff requested.
53	1630	B/2/14 rec'd SA and ground fire at base camp at vic XS743695. They returned fire with mortars.
54	1640	PRU patrol loc vic XS731699 engaged by an estimated VC platoon. No casualties at present, FAC overhead. At 1750 PRU has 1 WIA (slight). Broken contact and closed B/C 1750.
56	1750	Ref Item 53: Fire rec'd approx 4 rifle grenades and AW, came from vic XS741695.
64	2045	C/2/14 patrol 1 reports having 2 VC under observation. The patrol was 25 meters from their objective. Patrol was told to keep them under observation 2015 hrs. Patrol 2 at 2015 engaged 2 VC, threw 1 grenade, 1 VC KIA (BC) and the other was brought under fire as he was running. Patrol 3 A/2/14 reports scout dog senses Poss VC movement about 250 meters north from their position.
68	2230	Delayed Entry 2050 hrs: C/4/9 (DEEP) executed an ambush on the advance elements of a group of 5 VC crossing the river vic XS757773. Patrol employed SA, Arty, mortar fire, claymore weapons. Patrol thought VC elements were either a screening or security force for a larger VC element. Patrol cannot move across stream to check results. Relocating to vic XS755775.
71	2400	SUMMARY: 1st Bde continues opns FAIRFAX with 4/9 Inf and 3/22 Inf. Opn LANIKAI with 2/14 Inf. 4/9 Inf conducted a CHECKMATE vic XS709783 and XS728798. During the day a multi-company S&D opn was conducted by C/4/9 and one platoon A/4/9 and two Companies 3rd ARVN Airborne Bn. 2/14 conducted S&D opns to the south and southwest of Rach Kien a distance of approx 1500 meters. 3/22 Inf conducted an Eagle flight into XS683775 with B Co and one platoon C Co with neg contact. A Company conducted a cordon opn vic XS683800. PLANS SUMMARY: 1. 4/9 Inf: Companies A & C will conduct local security and patrolling. B Co BUSHMASTER terminates at 1000 hrs, and local patrolling during daylight and ambushes during the night, and continuing construction of RF/PF outposts. One company 3rd ARVN Airborne Bn will conduct airmobile to vic XS780835. 2. 214 Inf: Co A will dispatch a squad size ambush at 1300 hrs to XS735698. Returning at 290700 hrs. The remainder of Co will continue constructing the base camp at Rach Kien. Co B will conduct search and seal XS740695 commencing at 0700 hrs. Co C will dispatch squad size recon patrol at 1300 hrs vic XS745695. The remainder of the company will continue construction of base camp at Rach Kien. 3. 3/22 Inf: Co A will continue to cordon village at XS860800. Co B will be DS of 5th ARVN Airborne Bn. Co C will conduct Eagle flights into AO RAT XS8775. 52nd Co of 5th ARVN Airborne Bn will be DS of 3/22 Inf Bn and will be reaction force for Co C.

1st Brigade S-1	Casualty Reports, Officer Transfers
1st Brigade S2-S3	Daily Action reported to Brigade HQ

ITEM`	TIME	INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.
3	0730	Rec Cas Repts from 2/14 DeUnger, Daniel G. SSG C 2/14 WIA Moore, Daniel PFC C 2/14 WIA Giesken, Jerry L. SP4 B 2/14 WIA Bishop, Ronnie H. PFC C 2/14 DOW Bellows, Joseph E. SP4 A 2/14 WIA
7	1330	Rec Cas Rept from 2/14 Bettencourt, Ray E. PFC A 2/14 WIA