Daily Staff Journal  01-Oct-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, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, PB Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214, PB Hunsley XT596270.

Ballgame:
   Co A (-) 0630 hours depart FSB Patton, recon to obj-1 (589187), to obj-2 (598183), to obj-3 (593191), to obj-4 (589197), to obj-5 (579208), to obj-6 (575199), return to FSB Patton.  1 platoon occupy Venice East, tower at Bau Dieu and Patton, conduct road sweep of 7A from Highway 1 to Trung Lap.
   Co B PZ Hunsley, proceed to Cu Chi for Stand-down.
   Co C (-) 0745 hours, PZ PB Dong Tien (4 & 5 ship lifts), 4 ship after artillery prep CA LZ-6 (618269), 5 ships after artillery prep CA LZ-7 (622268), recon to obj-2 (618261), to obj-3 (618254), to obj-4 (616246), to Patrol Base.  Be prepared to extract after 2 hours for insertion on target of opportunity.  Conduct joint Ambush Patrol with 2nd Co, 2/49th ARVN.
   Co D (-) 0730 hours.  PZ Patrol Base Hunsley (4 & 5 shop lifts), 5 ships after artillery prep CA LZ-5 (607302), 4 ships after artillery prep CA LZ-4 (604300), conduct search of area (608301, 615297, 599274, 591280), return to PB Hunsley.  1700 hours one platoon conduct RIF 360 degrees, 500 meters from wire.
   CRIP:  Conduct Eagle Eye operations 1000-1200 hours.  VCI observe several 583233 1400-1630 hours.
   4.2 platoon (-) FSB Patton, 1 tube Patrol Base Hunsley, 1 tube Trung Lap.
   Radar:  PPS-5 at PB Hunsley, PPS-4 Venice East, PPS-4 FSB Patton. 
   495 RF:  Depart Trung Lap 0700 hours, LD (579194) to obj-11 (565195), to obj-12 (569201), return to Trung Lap.  1st Co 2/49 Stand-down at Trung Lap for pay day activities.  2nd Co 2/49 (9 ships) PZ 0750 hours Patrol Base Dong Tien.  CA LZ-8 (622268), recon to obj-A (622262), to obj-B (625255), to obj-C (622247), return to Patrol Base.  Be prepared to extract after 2 hours for insertion on target of opportunity.  Conduct joint Ambush Patrol with C Co.  1st Co 4/49 and 3rd Co 2/49 depart 0730 hours, LD (561197) to obj-D (559201), to obj-E (553212), to obj-F (560219), to obj-H (575220), to obj-J (581211), to obj-K (575207), to obj-G (567213), to obj-I (570208), return.
   Training:  Radar 1400 to 1600 Search and Monitor PA

02

0002

FSB Patton receiving incoming at this time.  No further details available

03

0005

Requested a dustoff for two urgent litter US casualties at Patton

04

0010

Hawk 03 Night Hawk (Little Bear 757) on station

05

0015

Diamond Head 50 LFT departed station

06

0016

Incoming rounds coming from 300 degrees azimuth, 700 meters.  5 82mm rounds received (4 inside perimeter)

07

0023

Dustoff 154 on station

08

0029

C Co AP-1 spotted 4 individuals 180 degrees azimuth at 600 meters.  Fired 5 white phosphorous, 10 high explosive from 81mm, movement ceased

09

0030

Dustoff complete

10

0130

Hawk 02 received 3 bursts of automatic weapons fire at XT590188.  Minigun is jammed, will leave area while artillery is employed.  Speed 60 knots, 1000 feet altitude

11

0150

Hawk 02 departed station

12

0155

Requested from Bde LST at first light to check out area where 82mm fire came from

13

0157

B Co AP spotted 3 individuals at grid 577257, will engage with artillery.  Fired 1 white phosphorous, 35 high explosive 105mm, 0244 hours movement ceased

14

0210

Radar pick-up from PB Hunsley at 579272, 3-4 individuals stationary.  Fired 105mm 28 high explosive, 1 white phosphorous at 0216 hours

15

0220

From Bde:  Possible locations of 82mm mortar tube in our AO, XT559227, XT625224, Source MACV

16

0302

C Co AP-1 has spotted 6 individuals in the open at 225 degrees at 400 meters, commanding officer directed to hold mortar fire, believes more VC are in the area and does not want them to be alerted

17

0310

ARVN AP at 564214 requests to move out at 0400 hours to 566219, then to 572221, searching for mortar positions.  2/12th approved AO (560220, 560200, 580208, 571228).  DTG 010400-010700

18

0345

Sitrep - negative

19

0410

Corrected ballgame for 1 Oct with all changes submitted.  A Co received changes earlier

20

0428

C Co AP-1 sighted 4 individuals at 200 degrees 800 meters, fired 2 white phosphorous and 27 high explosive 81mm rounds.

21

0450

Sitrep - negative

22

0550

Sitrep - negative

23

0600

Radar sighting Hunsley (579273) 2 individuals moving NW, will engage with 81mm (fired 9 high explosive)

24

0630

A Co departing for ballgame

25

0650

Centaur 46 on station

26

0658

Crusader 5 on station (C&C) 82 blade hours

27

0700

A Co located obj-1 (589187)

28

0705

A Co road sweep teams departed

29

0714

LST vicinity of obj-2 (598183) has stopped 2 eligible males.  Element of A Co moving to check it out

30

0715

C Co AP-1 has closed night laager

31

0730

Centaur 46 released due to low ceiling

32

0740

B Co AP closed Hunsley

33

0742

C Co AP-2 closed night laager at 0700 hours

34

0745

A Co vicinity obj-2 (598183) picked up 2 detainees, will bring them back to Patton, have representative of S-2 at gate to intercept them

35

0803

A Co 587190 found dud 82mm mortar round, very old, not booby-trapped, will blow

36

0811

Lt. General Rossen itinerary:  1125 arrive Cu Chi warrior pad, 1125-1130 enroute to Division Headquarters, 1130-1200 Organization Day ceremony, 1200-1205 enroute to Warrior Pad, 1205-1215 enroute to FSB Pershing, 1215-1315 visit Pershing to include lunch with Bravo Co 1/8th Artillery, 1315-1325 enroute to Patton II, 1325-1345 visit Patton II.  S-2, S-3 be prepared to give him briefing if he desires one.  1345-1400 enroute to FSB Chamberlain, 1400-1425 visit Chamberlain, 1425-1430 enroute to Duc Hoa, 1430 arrive Duc Hoa

37

0822

B Co says the two bodies were dressed in bush hats and khaki type summer uniforms

38

0820

A Co road clear Patton to Trung Lap

39

0826

Additional 30 min delay in AMC today

40

0826

A Co located at obj-5 (579208)

41

0830

AO request from 1/5th (Mech):  DTG Oct 2060 to 21800 East of 62, South of 20

42

0833

ARVN 1st Co 4/49 & 3rd Co 2/49 departed 0730 hours

43

0910

Co A located vicinity obj-6 (575199), 1st Co 4/49 and 3rd Co 2/49 (553212)

44

0917

D Co airborne from Hunsley 0917 hours, down green 0931 hours (604300)(603297)

45

0937

A Co closed Patton negative findings

46

0938

C Co airborne from night laager 0938 hours

47

0945

A Co reports road clear from Highway 1 to Trung Lap

48

0947

Locations:  3rd Co 2/49 from 553212 heading to 567213, 1st Co 4/49 553212 heading to 560219, 495 RF near 565195, 569201 all day

49

0952

C Co down green at 622268, 5 ships, 615269, 4 shops at 0952 hours

50

1002

2nd Co 2/49 airborne from night laager at 1002 hours, down green at LZ-E (622268) at 1008

51

1010

AO request for 1/5th (Mech) approved

52

1020

Unit Locations:  3rd Co (567213), 2nd Co (622268), 1st Co 4/49 (560219), 495 RF (565195)(569201), D Co (606296), C Co (6222680)(619270)

53

1030

AS 640300 & 655265 cleared

54

1038

From Maj. Branscome:  Direct Co A to be ready for PZ at approx 1215 hours for insertion into 645250 as planned second half of ballgame

55

1042

Co C found a set of Ho Chi Minh sandals movement from West to East towards the river, fresh, possibly this morning vicinity 614207

56

1052

Bde:  Psyops mission cancelled due to weather

57

1055

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap, down vicinity 588228 at 1059

58

1100

3rd Co 575220

59

1108

CRIP airborne form 588228 at 1108 hours, down green 586235 at 1110 hours

60

1111

2nd Co (622262) found 3 fighting positions 3-4 days old

61

1125

Unit Locations:  2nd Co (622268), 3rd Co (575220), 1st Co 4/49 (567213), 495 RF same, C Co (618262), D Co (603293)

62

1130

Request battalion medic to check several personnel at this location - are sick and have fever.  Also vehicle fails to start, battery OK

63

1134

CRIP up (586235) at 1134, down green at Trung Lap at 1138

64

1135

AO request form LNO:  DTG 030600 to 031800 AO bounded by 620180 to 600220 to 600260 to 656260 to 656200.  Needed for ballgame on 2nd and 3rd, with 1/10 ARVN Cav & 1 platoon US & 1 platoon ARVN out of night laager.  APC's will stay at night laager night of the 2nd

65

1135

2nd Co 2/49 (623252) spotted 5-6 individuals evading them.

66

1150

2nd Co 2/49 have found small bunkers containing 1 AK-47 in one bunker

67

1155

B Co's move to Cu Chi 1st lift up 1030, down Cu Chi 1035, 2nd lift up 1050, down Cu Chi 1054, 3rd lift up 1111, down Cu Chi 1115, 4th lift up 1145, down 1150

68

1214

D Co 1st platoon (599292) found 2 20 lb anti-tank mines.  Tilt rod devices, will blow in place

69

1225

Blade hour report:  23 consumed as of 1200

70

1229

A Co airborne from Patton

71

1233

C Co 1st platoon (617242) found box of 50 cal. ammunition, will carry along with them

72

1245

Centaur 49 on station

73

1250

A Co down green (639248)(637245)

74

1300

D Co airborne from 599292 at 1300 hours, down green at Hunsley at 1303

75

1314

2nd Co 2/49 ARVN (627297), same location, C Co (617233), A Co moving out of LZ

76

1315

D Co routine dustoff, 1 US litter, routine, due to sickness

77

1325

C Co closed night laager at 1325

78

1325

Lt. General Rooen arrived Patton

79

1328

FAC request clearance to expand ordnance grid 575276.  Cleared

80

1330

AMC consumed 38 hours 45 minutes blade hours as of 1330 hours

81

1333

Dustoff 150 on station for D Co, dustoff complete 1338 hours bound to 25th Med

82

1392

A Co located 642252

83

1400

Request clearance to expend rocket in grid 618298, cleared

84

1400

A Co location 646255

85

1402

ARVN AO request is by Regimental Commander after discussion with Col. Long.  Would like to get it approved.  Will only need area south of 20th on Oct 3.  Also Chaplain would like transportation from Trung Lap to night laager

86

1403

CRIP kicked off for VCI ballgame

87

1405

Report on Eagle Eye:  At grid 588228 checked 13 females and passed out 13 flags.  Grid 586223 checked 9 female and 1 male.  One female detained had wrong ID for the area, taken to village chief for proper action.  Name:  Pham Thi Mat, born 1946.  Also destroyed 2 bunkers and 150 lbs rice

88

1410

2nd Co 2/49 closed night laager

89

1435

AS clearance for grid 641295: cleared

90

1440

A Co 698251 has recently used tunnel 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 10 long, destroyed

91

1506

A Co 9 hips airborne from 650250

92

1510

A Co down green Patton 1510 hours

93

1510

AMC released, consumed 45 blade hours 45 minutes

94

1605

CRIP closed Trung Lap at 1605

95

1610

Menehune 6 on station for VR for ARVN

96

1645

D Co 1st platoon departed for 360 degree RIF

97

1735

AO request for 2/49 - 1/10 Cav 632187, 655200, 656237, 030600-0301800 hours Oct 69

98

1741

D Co 1st platoon closed Hunsley

99

1816

Venice East requested test fire of small arms.  Disapproved

100

1810

From LNO:  Ballgame for ARVNs:  1st Troop 1/10 Cav, 2 Co 2/49, 1 platoon C Co 2/14 0800 hours LD 613231, recon obj-1 (617239), obj-2 (612246), obj-3 (623253), obj-4 (640253), obj-5 (645246), split, 1 element proceed to obj-6 (634235), to obj-8 (632231), return to Patrol Base Dong Tien; 1 element proceed to obj-7 (635240), to obj-9 (625235), return to PB Dong Tien

101

1815

From LNO:  Ballgame for 3 Oct (1/10 Cav, 2 Co 2/49, and C/2/14) Depart 0800 LD (618227) to obj-10 (626222), to obj-11 (636226), to obj-12 (644216), to obj-13 (635212), to obj-14 (633201), to obj-15 (625194), to obj-16 (624205), to obj-17 (619216) to Dong Tien.

102

1830

C Co AP-1 & AP-2 depart PB Dong Tien

103

1850

1/5th (Mech) AP at 562170

104

1910

2/12th AP's at 561221 & 526211

105

1850

Rangers arrived at Hunsley at 1830 hours.  Will set up AP at 577267.  Call sign "Mixer 26" on D Co and battalion command frequency

106

1915

Received Conf. Msg. X09-074C, Subject: Document Readout

107

1915

C Co AP-2 approximately 300 meters azimuth 320 degrees spotted 3 individuals with weapons who ducked into hedgerow.  AP was moving E to W from holding position to AP site, will continue into site and try to engage.  Holding position (609240) AP site (608238)

108

1940

Radar Hunsley 581274 5 individuals moving E to W, engaging with artillery.  Fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds

109

1946

C Co AP-1 in position

110

2007

C Co AP-2 in position

111

2015

Mixer 26 element (Rangers) depart Hunsley

112

2025

2/49 APS:  588217, 587212, 597217, 597207, 608242, 590200, 586206, 590205, 582202, 598200

113

2040

C Co AP-2 called in fire mission on area where they saw 3 individuals from AP site 250 degrees at 500 meters XT604241.  Fired 18 81mm high explosive, 2 81mm illumination rounds

114

2121

Mixer 26 (Rangers) moving again after 10 minute break

115

2132

C Co AP-1 observed 6 rounds 81 or 82mm mortar impacting 500-600 meters to the south of their AP site vic 622226.  At same time Patrol Base Dong Tien observed 12 rounds falling near them, last one at approximately 2135.  Had radar scan area with negative findings.  Checked their artillery channels, 105mm ARVN Trung Lap said they were firing at the time in that direction, then altered their statement when they were told it was near the patrol base.  No further rounds impacted after they received the message.  Hawk of O/S 2150

116

2225

Ref I-115:  Advisor with ARVN Co at Patrol Base Dong Tien confirmed that incoming received vicinity of AP and Patrol Base was from Trung Lap

117

2230

Hawk 01 spotted 1 individual running in grid XT 6120, engaged with minigun.  Individual ran into hedgerow.  A Co ballgame for tomorrow runs through this area - they will check the area

118

2250

Hawk 01 (Night Hawk) departed station

119

2255

Mixer 26 (Rangers) at XT590267 1 individual fell into a hole 15 feet deep.  Will set up at this location with sub-element moving around the vicinity as a roving ambush patrol

120

2345

Sitrep - negative

121

2355

Intel report for III Corps G-2 DTG 011350.  Agent Report ARVN Rating B-3:  1 Battalion 101st Regiment & 1 recon battalion of Sub-Region 1 plan to attack 25th Division at Cu Chi.  Date unknown (near future).  1 battalion 101st Regiment at (XT570380).  1 battalion to move to vicinity Go-Noi (XT610230).  Additional information:  Agent is new but considered extremely reliable.  They feel attack is imminent in near future.

Summary:  FSB Patton received 5 rounds of 82mm mortar fire at 0002 hours today.  Q4 radar spotted possible mortar tube site 700 meters out on an azimuth of 5100 mils, grid 576197.  Crater analysis by ARLO indicated rounds could have come from northeast.  Counter-mortar fire was directed into both areas and a Night Hawk aircraft checked out this areas.  The battalion Sergeant Major and another NCO were dusted off as urgent litter cases.  C Co AP-1 spotted 4 individuals south of their position and directed mortar fire against them and movement ceased.  Night Hawk received 3 bursts of automatic weapons fire 1000 meters southeast of FSB, engaged with door guns and called artillery fire into the area.  B Co AP spotted 3 individuals at grid 577257 and directed artillery fire against them and movement ceased.  Hunsley had 2 more radar sightings before dawn, engaged with artillery and mortars and movement ceased.  C Co AP=-1 had 2 additional sightings of individuals moving and engaged with artillery.  A Co swept the area of possible mortar sites at first light with the assistance from a light scout team, picked up 2 detainees and turned them over to the village chief, found 1 old 82mm dud and destroyed it.  B Co departed PB Hunsley for a stand-down in Cu Chi.  C Co conducted a heliborne operation from PB Dong Tien and found 4 sets of fresh sandal tracks running west to east towards the Saigon River, and one box of 50 cal. ammo.  Co D conducted a heliborne operation from PB Hunsley and found 2 20 lb. anti-tank mines with a tilt rod device on a trail in wooded area vicinity of XT599292.  Co A was alerted for heliborne operation at noon - they found and destroyed one recently used tunnel.  CRIP conducted an Eagle Eye operation, took 1 female detainee, found and destroyed 6 bunkers and 150 lbs of rice.  2nd Co 2/49 conducted a heliborne out of PB Dong Tien, found and destroyed a small bunker complex, captured 1 AK-47.  LTG Rossen visited Patton.  Rangers went on night operation out of Hunsley.  Hunsley had 1 radar target and engaged with artillery.  Patrol Base Dong Tien detected 105mm rounds falling near their perimeter, rounds were determined to be friendly.  Hawk engaged 1 individual running east of FSB.  Received intelligence report concerning VC planned attack.