Daily Staff Journal  26-Sep-69

ITEM

TIME

INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.

01

0001

LOG OPENED:
Supporting information for today's events:  Bn. Cmdr LTC Donald O. Crutchley, XO Maj Robert Chaudrue, S3 Maj. Dexter Branscome, S1 Cpt Anthony Barone, S2 Cpt Joseph Murphy, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 Cpt Gary Roth (hospital)
Location:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, Night Defensive Position (NDP) XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgame:
   Co A (-) 1030 4 & 5 ship lift Pickup Zone Fire Support Base, 5 ships CA LZ-1 (616163), CA LZ-2 (623165) Co search AO bounded by (609158, 602162, 604175, 614178, 625167), after search has been completed, recon from 604175 to obj-25 (597183) to obj-26 (589185) to Fire Support Base Patton.  One platoon Venice East, Bau Dieu tower, Patton tower, road sweep from Patton to Highway 1 and Patton to Trung Lap.
   Co B (-) 4 & 5 lifts 1045 hours after artillery prep, 5 ships CA LZ-4 (568282) recon to obj-4 (566278), obj-6 (563275), obj-7 (562270), obj-8 (560266), obj-10 (562263), obj-11 (575266), obj-12 (578268), obj-14 (577274), obj-16 (575278), return to Patrol Base Hunsley.  4 ships CA LZ-3 (570278), obj-5 (568277), obj-6 (563275), obj-7 (562270), obj-9 (563266), obj-10 (562263), obj-11 (575266), obj-13 (574272), obj-15 (574275), obj-16 (575278), conduct one AP vicinity Patrol Base.
   Co C (-) One platoon Co C and one platoon 2 Co 2/49 ARVN depart Night Defensive Perimeter 0830 hours.  Recon to 613223, conduct a detailed search of area contained in area (613223, 604217, 605209, 615214, 613323).  Conduct one joint AP and 1 all-US AP.
   Co D OpCon to Task Force Chaudrue.  2 Co 2/49 ARVN: 0730 1 platoon and 1 platoon Co C depart Night Defensive Perimeter.  Recon to obj-A (608232), obj-B (601232), obj-C (598225), obj-D (602222), obj-E (607223), return to Night Defensive Perimeter.  Conduct joint AP with Co C ARVN control.  3 Co 2/49 ARVN at 0830 (597204) recon to obj-21 (602200), obj-22 (601194), obj-23 (609190), obj-24 (612199), obj-25 (600208), return to Trung Lap.
   CRIP:  Conduct Eagle Eye operations AO Hatchet 1330 hours - 1530 hours
   4.2 (-), Fire Support Base Patton, 1 tube Patrol Base Hunsley, 1 tube Trung Lap
   Radar:  PPS-5 at Patrol Base, PPS-4 at Venice East.  Training - Radar 1400-1600 Search and Monitor
   Task Force Chaudrue:  Leave Night Defensive Perimeter 0900.  1 Troop 1/10 Cav and 1 Co 2/49 ARVN lead and recon direst route.  2nd Troop 1/10 and Co D 2/14 will break Night Defensive Perimeter, and link up and recon to obj-41 (613265), obj-42 (611251), obj-43 (605249), obj-44 (600245), obj-45 (600252), establish Night Defensive Perimeter vicinity 1000 meters North of Patrol Base Hunsley.

02

0009

Radar Hunsley 589251 2-4 individuals moving N, fired 2 105mm high explosive at 0012 hours

03

0017

Starlight at Hunsley 578274 4 individuals carrying two bodies, fired 24 81mm high explosive and 2 white phosphorous rounds at 0019 hours

04

0011

Little Bear 153 Night Hawk on station

05

0023

Little Bear 161 C&C ship depart station

06

0030

Bau Dieu reports all quiet.  One M-60 damaged, no casualties.  No aircraft or artillery employed because of negative clearance by ARVN forces.

07

0045

Sitrep - negative

08

0145

Sitrep - negative

09

0145

Little Bear 153 depart station

10

0155

Hunsley starlight (589273) 40 individuals moving north, fired 211 105mm high explosive, 2 white phosphorous rounds, fired 58 4.2 high explosive, 2 4.2 illumination rounds at 0157.  Night Hawk requested LFT on stand-by.  Also engaged with 106mm, M-60 after AP closed Patrol Base

11

0215

Hunsley radar (59112427) 6 individuals moving NE, fired 5 high explosive 105mm rounds, 3 81mm high explosive rounds

12

0225

13

0241

Hunsley radar and starlight (604284) 15 individuals moving East, fired 52 105mm high explosive and 2 105mm white phosphorous rounds, 1st round fired 0245 hours.

14

0330

Hunsley radar, starlight (591269) spotted 2-3 individuals moving North, fired 6 105mm high explosive killer Jr. rounds at 0333 hours

15

0305

Trung Lap tower starlight 597239 stationary, fired 13 4.2mm high explosive rounds and 36 105mm high explosive rounds

16

0350

Little Bear 070 departed station

17

0355

Hunsley tower 581282 spotted 7 individuals who appeared to be carrying bodies.  Radar pickup 0357 hours, rounds on the way at 0405 hours. Fired 28 105mm high explosive rounds, 15 105mm Killer Jr.  Movement ceased.  Final evaluation:  Platoon size force first sighted at 0155 (ref I-10) was followed by radar and starlight; rounds were seen impacting on their positions.  When movement began after artillery ceased fire, artillery was again brought in.  Movement eventually terminated.  Because of radar and starlight verification assessed 25 body count, B Co will search area at first light.  LST was requested at first light.

18

0505

B Co 1st platoon moved out to holding position.  Will sweep contact area at first light

19

0517

Little Bear 153 on station to check out contact area in Hunsley area

20

0545

Little Bear 153 back on station vicinity Hunsley

21

0545

B Co 1st platoon in holding position vicinity 588269

22

0050

Sitrep - negative

23

0615

Notified by Bde that LST has been diverted.  Ref use of Night Hawk for short time after 1st light to check out area and cover movement of B Co into search zone

24

0650

Road sweep team departed

25

0655

Little Bear 153 depart station

26

0704

From Co C:  AP-2 closed Night Defensive Position

27

0713

From Co C:  AP-1 closed NDP, Menehune 2 on station to drop 1 pack

28

0726

From Co B, 1st platoon closed Patrol Base, negative findings

29

0731

Hornet 11 on station, with Hornet 3

30

0745

Road open to Trung Lap

31

0752

Request free fire zone for 25th Aviation for today, from now until 1800, at coordinates 6521, 6519, 6719, 6721, approved

32

0813

Menehune 5 on station, Visual Recon for Co A

33

0821

From Jump CP:  1/10 & 2/49 moved out for Night Defensive Position

34

0827

From LNO:  3rd Co 2/49 depart on ballgame 0800, location vicinity obj-21 (602200)

35

0830

Road from Trung Lap to Highway 1 opened

36

0841

Issue 27, BDA on 621305: 3 bunkers destroyed, fighting positions, trench lines and tunnel entrances uncovered

37

0858

Jump CP:  1 Co 2/49 and 1 Co 1/10 Cav located vicinity obj-41 (613265), 1/10 (-) and Co D 2/14 at Night Laager

38

0907

Jump CP:  Ref item 37, rest of Task Force depart Night Laager

39

0915

From LNO:  At 0900 1 squad, 3 Co is checking grid 609179, return to obj-23 in 30 minutes, found an M-16 in hole.

40

0927

Change in B Co ballgame:  Depart Patrol Base 1015 with combat Tracker Team, scout team, pursue body trails into area bounded by 5828, 5830, 6030, 6028.

41

0950

From CRIP:  Ballgame VCI vicinity 607219 (0900-1100)

42

1000

Air Strike 651305, 645295, 635300, 261000-261900 hours, approved

43

1005

Crusader 2 on station

44

1015

From S-3, have used 19 blade hours

45

1024

From Bde:  AMC for 27 Sep has been cancelled by Div.  3rd Bde has priority

46

1030

Co C depart on ballgame, 3rd Co closed Trung Lap, Task Force Chaudrue 613255

47

1038

Need to know when PF are scheduled to use range at Trung Lap

48

1041

Co A airborne for Fire Support Base

49

1045

Co A down green LZ-1 (613160), LZ-2 (616161)

50

1055

From Maj. Branscome, has consumed 25 blade hours as of 1100

51

1056

Co B departed on ballgame

52

1145

Locations:  Task Force 613255, Co A 610167, Co C (606215)(613218), Co B 58470

53

1143

Co A vicinity 610167 found one CC ground booby-trap with trip wire.  Newly placed, believe last 2-3 days, will destroy

54

1150

B Co vicinity 606215 and 613218 has approximately 100 individuals, need IPW team.  Also has Chieu Hoi, will lead to vicinity of tunnel where other VC are hiding

55

1214

Co A vicinity 604157 found one home-made grenade, a smoke grenade top with fuze, negative pin or trip wire - appears old, will destroy

56

1252

Locations:  Co A 604177, Co B 581250, Co C 610214

57

1253

Jump CP:  Task Force all elements at 41-42

58

1258

Co C at last location (610214) found one elderly man who is suffering from malnutrition and a slight fever.  Menehune 5 is on station with IPW team for Co C will perform immediate evacuation

59

1259

Menehune 5 on station with source and IPW team

60

1310

Maj. General Hollis will be visiting Fire Support Base sometime this afternoon, will give us time later.

61

1320

From Task Force:  Night Laager for PO Lolita R 1.3, D 1.5 (653245) will be established tonight

62

1325

Menehune 5 on station for dustoff of individual from 65th Engineers to 25th Med

63

1338

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap

64

1339

Co A closed Fire Support Base

65

1341

Locations:  Co B 590290, Co C 610214, Task Force 613255

66

1347

CRIP down 598234

67

1405

From Bde:  Yellow Jacket report 977:  Unidentified enemy element within 1500 meters of grid 625270, early afternoon of 26 Sep.  Task Force swept within 200 meters of this area.  What are our intentions.

68

1410

From CRIP:  Airborne at 598234

69

1412

CRIP down at Trung Lap

70

1415

Co C closed at Night Defensive Position

71

1420

Remainder of Co C closed Night Defensive Position

72

1423

Co B vicinity 586297, Task Force vicinity 613255

73

1433

CRIP, 3 ship airborne from Trung Lap

74

1435

Bde:  AS clearance for 625271

75

1438

CRIP down at PB Hunsley

76

1438

Co B 4 ship lift from 590290

77

1440

MG Hollis arrived at Fire Support Base

78

1440

Co B down at Patrol Base (4 ships)

79

1446

Co B 4 ship lift form 590290

80

1450

MG Hollis departed, did not discuss anything important, did mention about snipers

81

1451

1st Div. troop support 261800-270600 hours, 1000 meters north of the river from 6131-4751

82

1454

Co B down at Patrol Base

83

1500

From Maj. Branscome:  1500 hours, 53 blade hours used

84

1501

AMC and C&C released

85

1509

From Task Force:  Night Laager for tonight 625271.  Task Force minus at this location, some units still stuck, working to get them out.

86

1520

From 1/5th (Mech):  Will have an AP at 566170 and one at 538184, will employ again at 585158.  Negative clearance on 566170

87

1530

From Lt. Wood:  AO request for 270600, 271800, 594240, 570240, 570210, 594200 - B6.  Depart 0800, 3 Co 2/49, 1 squad PF, 1 squad Engineers, LD 590216, obj-A (585223), obj-B (587232), obj-C (575232), obj-D (575220), obj-E (583213), return to Trung Lap.  Purpose try to locate VC squad who tried to ambush Chieu Hoi

88

1615

From Task Force:  Request 4/50 meters of good cable to pull out trucks

89

1650

Dustoff 150 ETA 20-25 minutes

90

1655

D Co WIA routine, individual ambulatory, blasting cap went off, take to 25th Med

91

1750

Sniper team departed Patton, will link up  with platoon at Venice East, continue to drop off pint, platoon will close back

92

1820

ARVN AP-2 kicked off, A Co AP 49I kicked off

93

1831

C Co AP-1 (combined) kicked off

94

1920

AP 49I (snipers) in position

95

1920

PPS-5 4-6 individuals at 581262, fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds, movement ceased

96

1929

Tower picked up at Hunsley 3-4 individuals moving NE, fired 6 81mm high explosive rounds, 2 white phosphorous

97

1925

AP 49I (Bullseye) in position

98

1930

AP 49I reports taking AK and RPG (one) fire from 150 meters to their east, approx. 3-4 people.  Withdrawing to Venice East

99

1930

Hunsley radar 579273 6-8 individuals moving SW, fired 54 105mm high explosive, 1st round fired at 1934 hours

100

1940

From Bde:  Night Hawk call signs effective 26 Sep, Hawk 01 & 03, one will be in air at all times on Bde frequency, call if needed

101

1950

B Co AP-1 departed Patrol Base

102

2000

AP 49I closed Venice East.  Believed they had been spotted moving into position.  Night Hawk checking area.  A Co mortars fired 5 81mm NP, 8 81mm high explosive

103

2015

From Task Force Chaudrue:  3 tracks at grid 616263, 1 stuck, 2 providing security with 2 platoons 2/49 ARVN

104

2020

C Co AP-1 & AP-2, B Co AP 60I in position

105

2153

Venice East starlight 185 degrees azimuth, 950 meters, 3 individuals moving SW, no fire zone

106

2228

Hunsley radar 583272 4 individuals moving W, Starlight 577286 4 individuals moving W.  Fired 12 rounds 81mm at radar target, keeping starlight target under observation

107

2252

B Co AP-1 spotted 2 individuals moving east towards AP from E 100 meters.  Requested Night Hawk

108

2305

Night Hawk on station (Hawk 03)

109

2310

B Co AP_1 has 6 individuals sighted 200 meters at 220 degrees azimuth.  At 2313 saw 6 moving west at 400 meters 250 degrees azimuth

110

2315

Duffel Bag 57501829 CZ 1361, medium activity NE, engaged with M-60

111

2330

SLAR pick up 575240, one individual, artillery did not engage

112

2350

Bde notified:  No air for 28 Sep 69.

113

Summary:  Bau Dieu Tower reported all quiet after enemy probe which occurred before midnight 25 Sep.  Radar and starlight pick-ups vicinity Hunsley estimated platoon size force moving north.  Engaged with artillery, mortars, 106mm recoilless rifle and machine guns.  Night Hawk unable to assess damage done.  Sweep at first light disclosed numerous trails but no bodies.  Target area was heavily cratered.  Trung Lap tower reported 5-man element and engaged with 4.2 mortars, effect undetermined.  Sweep team cleared Highway 7A from Trung Lap to 7A.  Co A conducted heliborne CA south of Fire Support Base, found and destroyed 2 booby-traps.  Co B reconned target area with combat tracker team with negative body findings.  Co C conducted combined operations with 2 Co 2/49, searched populated areas near Night Defensive Position, found 1 Chieu Hoi.  CRIP conducted Eagle Eye operation and spent the night at Patrol Base Hunsley.  3 Co 2/49 exploited a Chieu Hoi and found 1 M-16.  Task Force Chaudrue continued combined operations in the Ho Bo Woods, established a Night Laager site East of Hunsley, 1 APC became mired down South of Night Laager site, 2 APC's and 2 platoons secured the area for the night.  AP 49I (sniper team) came under fire from an enemy element on Bau Dieu peninsula - withdrew to Venice East.  Starlight at Venice East spotted 3 individuals moving SW in a no fire zone.  Hunsley had several radar sightings and starlight sightings, engaged with mortars and artillery.  B Co AP-I spotted movement and called in mortars.  1 Duffel Bag activation was engaged by M-60 at Venice East.  Major General Hollis visited FSB Patton this afternoon.