Daily Staff Journal  09-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 Lt. Andrew Moyer
Locations:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, Patrol Base Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgame:
   Co A (-) Security of patrol base Hunsley, improvement and maintenance, conduct HCP vicinity of patrol base
   Co B (-) 4 & 5 ship lift PZ Patrol Base Dong Tien 0830 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep.  5 ships C/A LZ-6 (625268), recon to obj-1 (622262), obj-3 (621254), obj-5 (617245), obj-7 (612245), obj-9 (613241), obj-10 (616237), join 4 ships and return to patrol base.  4 ships C/A LZ-7 (629268), recon to obj-2 (629260), obj-4 (626254), obj-6 (622247), obj-8 (617242), obj-10 (616237), join 5 ships and return to patrol base.  Conduct one joint AP and one US AP.
   Co C (-) 4 & 5 ship lift PZ FSB Patton 0800 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep, 5 ships C/A LZ-4 (580247), 4 ships C/A LZ-5 (579245), search area  (580248-567244-576244), PZ (566245), one platoon occupy Venice East, towers at Bau Dieu and FSB.  Conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 at 0645 hours.
   Co D (-) 4 & 5 ship lift, PZ Patrol Base Hunsley 0730 hours, after joint US/ARVN artillery prep 5 ships C/A LZ-1 (574257), 4 ships C/A LZ-2 (575255), search area 575254, 567254-567263,  PZ (566255), return to Patrol Base Hunsley.
   3 Co 2/49 ARVN 9 ship lift PZ Trung Lap 0745 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep.  C/A LZ-3 (581251), search area 580248, 575254, 567254, 567248.  PZ (556250), return to Trung Lap.
   1 Co 2/49 ARVN 9 ship lift PZ Patrol Base Dong Tien 0845 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep.  C/A LZ-8 (637268), recon to obj-A (634256), obj-B (632253), obj-C (628242), obj-D (624233), return to patrol base.  Conduct one joint Ambush Patrol.
   CRIP conducts Eagle Eye operations.
   4.2 platoon (-) at FSB Patton
   Radar:  PPS-5 at Patrol Base Hunsley, PPS-4 Venice East and Patrol Base Dong Tien. 
   Training:  Radar 1400-1500 hours, Search and Monitor
   ARVN Operations:  2 Co 2/49 LD 0800 hours (585198) recon to obj-I (589185), obj-J (600180), obj-K (609190), obj-L (601194), obj-M (604199), return to Trung Lap.
   1 Co 4/49 LD (580195) 0700 hours recon to obj-E (571199), obj-F (561201), obj-G (565212), obj-H (581215), return to Trung Lap
   495 RF:  0900 hours search area 595203, 591207, 585205, 590199, return to Trung Lap.
   AO (555220, 585220, 610197, 610176, 590176, 555200)

02

0010

C Co believes possible RPG rounds coming from hedgerow 500 meters to the east of Patton, impacting 50-100 meters outside wire.

03

0025

Venice East radar out of operation

04

0050

Sitrep - negative

05

0115

Hunsley radar XT585274 direction 5110 mils, 1200 meters, 3-4 individuals moving south, fired 18 155mm high explosive rounds, movement stopped

06

0115

Bunker line reported possible incoming outside wire.  Fired counter-mortar fire and artillery to southeast and east 600 meters

07

0150

Sitrep - negative

08

0211

Patton received approximately 3 rounds impacting near perimeter of C Company, reported they came from point 500 meters out 110 degrees or 1490 mils 1 kilometer out according to Q4 radar.  Called 2/12th Inf and 1/5th (Mech) to check fire.  H&I programs.  Rounds believed to be friendly.  4.2 CS round impacted inside perimeter.  Nighthawk O/S 0213-0250 hours.

09

0236

TPS-25 radar reports XT55341887, 3-4 individuals moving west, fired 29 105mm high explosive rounds

10

0320

TPS-25 radar reports XT588195 3-4 individuals moving south, fired 81mm

11

0400

Nighthawk (Hawk 03) on station.  Diverted to 3/4 Cav at 0410

12

0445

Sitrep - negative

13

0452

Nighthawk (Hawk 03) on station, departs 0505

14

0647

No C&C party to be picked up at Trung Lap for they will have VIP's visit New Life hamlet.  General Tua (25th ARVN Div) will arrive Trung Lap approximately 0830

15

0647

A Co CP-Indiana closed Hunsley

16

0650

Road sweep teams departed for Trung Lap and Highway 1

17

0705

Crusader 3A (C&C ship) on station

18

0710

A Co CP's Whiskey and Charlie closed Hunsley

19

0710

Centaur 48 on station, released due to bad weather

20

0716

One Chieu Hoi entered Dong Tien, had two weapons

21

0725

Will be 30 minute delay in beginning of airmobile.  Request airmobile Co for 0800 to 1000 hours or extension form Brigade

22

0733

1st Co 4/49th kicked off on ballgame

23

0742

2nd Co 2/49th kicked off on ballgame

24

0744

Road clear from Patton to Trung Lap

25

0755

Sniff Mission sometime this morning, area is 6231 to 6228 to 6528 to 6531

26

0800

Road now open from Highway 1 to Trung Lap

27

0807

B Co's CP's sites for tonight are 621219 (U.S.), 622228 (combined)

28

0835

2nd Co 2/49th (600180), 1st 4/49th (571199)

29

0835

Air strike request as LZ prep at 565231 & 568229 at 0930 plus/minus 30 minutes

30

0835

Trung Lap Artillery LNO requests clearance for artillery at 635265, Viet Cong spotted in the open.  Approved for next 20 minutes (0855)

31

0850

Another 30 minute extension granted.  Release time now 1030

32

0930

1st Co 4/49th (E) 571799, 2nd Co 2/49th (5) 600180

33

0933

CRIP - VCI activities 1530-1730 at XT594216 - checkpoint in coordinates with village chief

34

0935

Air strike requested for 10 October, change time to read 1000 plus/minus 30 minutes

35

0938

2nd Co 2/49th (609190)

36

1018

D Co airborne from Hunsley.  D Co down green at 1029 hours, 5 ships (572257) 4 ships (573255) 2nd Co 2/49th (609190), 1st Co 4/49th (571199)

37

1030

Capt. Willingham issued warning order for 10 October.  Be prepared to make insertion or extraction of the 749th Air Force Co in our area of operations.  Exploiting information of Chieu Hoi

38

1032

3rd Co 2/49th airborne from Trung Lap, down green at 581251 at 1038 hours

39

1045

C Co airborne from Patton 1043 hours, down green at 1047 5 ships (574257), 4 ships (579245)

40

1055

D Co found 155mm round booby-trap with trip wire, HF fuze (574254), will blow in place

41

1100

Request AO 091000-091800 north of 27, intelligence target at grid 6623.  Request adjustment of AMC times for 1000-1200

42

1103

D Co found 105mm round, negative booby-trap, Lot # 572255

43

1106

C Co located sleeping area, recent use, 1 Ho Chi Minh sandal, 1 NVA poncho, shirt (578245).  In nearby tunnel found old clothes

44

1110

Brigade wants clearance for air strike at 595310 and 600318 at 091300 hours.  Approved 1113.

45

1125

Request clearance for air strike 636303, Sniff mission has received fire.  Approved

46

1130

3rd Co found 105mm booby-trap with trip wire (575248), not destroyed, will divert

47

1130

D Co 570225, 3rd/1st platoon 570256, 3rd Co 2/49th 575248, C Co 576245

48

1145

B Co 9 ships to be inserted 663237

49

1150

B Co up from Night Laager at 1150 hours, down green 663237 at 1200 hours

50

1200

C Co (577247) found 2 AK magazines, medical bag with syringes, needles, scissors, morphine, bottled medicines, 15 pounds rice, 2 booby-traps, 1 hand grenade on a bamboo pole waist high, 2nd booby-trap homemade, also well-concealed trap door in hootch was booby-trapped by a level device

51

1203

Centaur 49 on station

52

1218

Crusaders AMC released

53

1225

1st Co 2/49th departed night laager 10 ago, 2nd Co 2/49th closed Trung Lap, 3rd Co 2/49th (574278), D Co (569255), C Co (577247), B Co (663237) moving from LZ

54

1250

D Co found bunker 4x6x9x2 1/2 overhead cover, negative findings, was destroyed

55

1315

B Co (663239), C Co (577247), 3rd (574497), D Co (568257), 1st Co 2/49th (631238), 1st Co 4/49th (561201), 3rd Co 2/49th (573253)

56

1330

A Co found 2 rocket-propelled grenades, RPG-2, negative booby-trap or lot numbers (574249)

57

1343

B Co located (660237)

58

1350

Dustoff request for 1 US litter priority, man ill, having hard time breathing (660237)

59

1400

D Co located a bunker in a hootch, booby-trapped with trip wire in hedgerow, bunker 6x9x3 (567262)

60

1417

Menehune 3 on station

61

1420

B Co 658236

62

1422

CRIP spotted 1 individual, engaged.  Unknown results.  Requests LST at 589231

63

1425

Menehune 3 will perform dustoff, cancelled requested Dustoff

64

1437

AMC for 10 October changed to 0730-0930, 1430-1630

65

1440

D Co located 2 Chieu Hoi's who have given themselves up.  Request IPW

66

1450

Change to alternate sign

67

1510

D Co 572263, C Co 567247, B Co 658236, 1st Co 4/49th 565212, 3rd Co 2/49th 566247, 1st Co 2/49th closed night laager

68

1511

CRIP - while returning to Trung Lap engaged 1-2 individuals with small arms and M-79.  Negative results.  Destroyed 3 bunkers 589231

69

1520

B Co located pressure-type mine, approximately 40 lbs, along stream, will destroy

70

1530

29 Popular Force captured 3 Viet Cong POWs from unknown unit, 1 SKS rile, 35-40 mortar rounds (60mm, 81mm, 82mm) 609216

71

1532

B Co located 40-lb Anti-tank mine, pressure type at 658236

72

1539

D Co located 2 ft detonator cord in hootch.  Are burning hootch.  572263

73

1542

1st Co 4/49th (581215)

74

1555

CRIP located 2 bunkers 6x10x4 1/2 with 2 ft overhead cover, in hootch at 585228

75

1604

CRIP located bunker 6x8x4 at 587223

76

1614

AO LOBO given to 25th Aviation Bn as free fire zone until 1800 on 9 October

77

1625

A Co departed Hunsley at 1605 hours

78

1627

Menehune 3 leaving station

79

1630

Menehune 6 on station working with Chieu Hoi looking for cache

80

1635

Crusader 3A 15-20 ETA

81

1645

A Co has sighted 4 individuals at 300 meters at 595285.  Turned out to be logs

82

1647

A Co 495285, B Co 657232, C Co 558243, D Co 574256, CRIP closed, 1st Co 4/49th 581215, 3rd Co 2/49th 566247

83

1653

CRIP have 35 detainees, mostly females and old males.  Taking to village chief for identification.  593217

84

1712

B Co airborne from 657232, down 1715

85

1720

D Co airborne from 574256, down 1724

86

1729

C Co airborne from 558243, down 1733

87

1730

CRIP has 1 detainee

88

1736

3rd Co 2/49th airborne from 566247 at 1737, down green Trung Lap at 1739 hours

89

1740

D Co 1st platoon departed for 360-degree RIF (reconnaissance-in-force)

90

1750

74 blade hours used as of 1800 hours, AMC released

91

1804

Hornet 6 (AMC C.O.) reports his gunships have 1 NVA body count at 586184 - they received fire from NVA but received no damage

92

1813

NCP - Charlie from A Co depart

93

1818

Menehune 5 on station, depart 1823

91A

See 91 above:  NVA was in vicinity of 605177, dressed in M-79 vest, helmet, green fatigues, boots, AK-47 with folding stock, camouflaged face, fired arty

94

1833

D Co 1st platoon closed

95

1901

Centaur 49 (LST) reports finding 1 fresh bunker 8x6, destroyed by hand grenade and minigun fire.  Off station at 1902

96

1905

1st Inf Div troop ppt app., also 1st Div fire zone 1100 on our side of the river from 57 line to 61 line, approved

97

1915

A Co NCP's I, W and C in position

98

1915

Duffle Bag CZ1260, medium activity, sent to 2/12th Inf

99

1908

TPS-25 Radar (Trung Lap) 58762260 spotted individuals moving north, fired 18 rounds 105mm High Explosive

100

1938

B Co NCP-2 spotted 4 VC at XT622228, engaged with claymores at point blank range, point man was definitely armed, unable to determine if others were.  4 body count, VC went down and were laying right on the road.  Before area could be swept, hostile fire (M-79, AK-47) was received by NCP, also red star cluster was popped and ARVN's saw movement of what appeared to be a large force.  NCP withdrew to Dong Tien after calling in mortar and artillery fire.  Patrol leader, all US & ARVN patrol members emphatic about 4 body count.  H&I program in area scheduled for tonight.  Nighthawk requested as soon as weather permits.

101

1940

NCP 32 - Charlie (D Co) in position

102

1955

NCP-2 closed wire Dong Tien at 1955

103

1958

NCP-32 Charlie possibly 50 meters north of planned position.

104

1959

From Brigade:  Reference pickup of ARVN's at PZ 8415 Lam Son at 0730 on 10 October.  Contact Beans 94 on Freq 33.95

105

2000

AHC confirmed 11 October 1000-1200 and 1700-1900

106

2015

B Co at Dong Tien reported 10 rounds incoming 150 meters east of perimeter.  Believed to be coming form Trung Lap - negative damage

107

2042

B Co NCP-1 in position at 1945

108

2145

Effective 10/0500 Brigade call sign changes to Colic Danger - frequency 47.00

109

2200

1st Inf Div request for 1km troop spt around XT 593301 approved with condition that no ordnance be expended in close proximity to NCP-C at XT596286

110

2225

AO request for 1 Co 4/49th 0700-1600 10 October, 600197-594190-583200-591208 will search thoroughly

111

2230

New location for NCP2 - 613223

112

2325

B Co NCP-2 kick-off

113

2359

B Co NCP-2 in primary position

114

2400

Summary:  Co's B, C & D conducted heliborne operations today.  Co B operated in area vicinity of Ba Thien and located two mines near the Rach Son (XT658236).  Co C operated in the vicinity of Bau Doi and Rang and uncovered a cache of medical supplies, rice clothing, and 2 RPG-6 rounds.  Co D operated in Sa Nho area and found and destroyed a bunker, hootch, 3 booby-traps.  CRIP conducted VCI activities in the vicinity of Trung Lap, turned over 35 detainees over to the village chief, destroyed 6 bunkers and engaged 3 individuals who fled when they saw unit approaching.  Today was a big day for Hoi Chanhs - 2/49th - 2 Hoi Chanh, 2 weapons, D Co - 2 Hoi Chanh.  Cu Chi sub sector took 3 POW's (VC), 1 SKS rifle, 35-40 mortar rounds.  A Co sent out 3 platoon sized night combat patrols (NCP) from PB Hunsley.  D Co sent out 1 NCP from Hunsley.  B Co sent out 2 NCP's from Dong Tien.  Joint US/ARVN ambush patrol ambushed 4 Viet Cong east of Dong Tien, resulting in 4 body count.

115

2400

Log Closed