Daily Staff Journal  13-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, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Barone, S2 Cpt Joseph Murphy, S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 Lt Andrew Moyer
Location:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) 9 ship lift PB Dong Tien 0955. After artillery prep C/A LZ-2 (634218), search area 635218-638218-637221.  1500 hours recon to obj-A (626225) into patrol base.  Conduct one joint US/ARVN NCP and one US NCP vicinity of patrol base.
  B Co (-) depart FSB Patton 0800 hours, recon to obj-1 (586188) to 592184, search area (592184-594185-596184-595181), 1500 hours recon to obj-1, return to FSB.  Conduct two NCPs vicinity FSB
   C Co (-) 9 ship lift FSB Patton 1030 hours.  After artillery prep C/Z LZ-3 (609190), search area (608192-605190-608188), 1500 hours recon to obj-2 (594191), return to FSB.  One platoon occupy Venice East, towers at Bau Dieu and FSB.  Conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 0645 hours
   D Co (-) 9 ship lift PB Hunsley 0930 hours, after artillery prep C/A LZ-1 (573276), search area (573274-577274-575278), 1500 hours recon to obj-3 (585270), return to PB.  Conduct one platoon-size NCP vicinity PB
   CRIP Eagle Eye operations 1030-1230 hours
   Radar PPS-5 PB Hunsley, PPS-4 PB Dong Tien and Venice East
   4.2 Platoon (-) FSB, one tube PB Hunsley, one tube Trung Lap
   1 Co 2/49th ARVN (-) 9 ship lift PB Dong Tien 1010 hours.  C/A LZ-2 (634218), search area (635218-638218-638215-635215), 1500 hours recon to obj-B (624220), return to PB.  Conduct one joint US/ARVN NCP
   2/10 ARVN Cav and 3 Co 2/49th ARVN depart Trung Lap 0730 hours on recon mission to obj-21 (600230), obj-22 (600240), obj-23 (602249), obj-24 (614249), obj-25 (618239), obj-26 (611231), return to Trung Lap
   495 RF and 1 Co 4/49th ARVN depart 0730 hours, recon in AO (585218-601196-595189-575210)

02

0055

Little Bear 757 on station to pick up radar man going to Long Binh for parts and return him.  Off station 0106

03

0105

Radar Hunsley 599275 picked up 3-4 individuals moving southeast.  Fired 1 105mm white phosphorous, too near AP to use high explosive

04

0155

Little Bear 757 on station to deliver radar man.  Off station 0202

05

0305

Sitrep - negative

06

0510

Hawk 03 Nighthawk on station

07

0515

Power turned off on perimeter electric fence

08

0605

Nighthawk released

09

0615

Rec. Conf. Msg #X-10-28, subject: Increased Alert Status for 25th Inf Div (came in yesterday afternoon, all units notified last night).  #X-10-028C, subject: Plans Summary for 13 Oct

10

0705

Stinger 91 on station to pick up Col. Crutchley

11

0640

D Co CP-Charlie closed Hunsley

12

0648

B Co CP-India closed night laager

13

0740

2nd Troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th kicked off ballgame

14

0740

A Co CPs US (623229), combined (607218)

15

0745

Sniff Box:  Target A 6126-6426-6429-6129.  Negative DTG at this time

16

0755

C Co departed (road sweeps) at 0650

17

0821

B Co kicked off ballgame

18

0823

Concerning batteries being sent to Cu Chi from Hunsley

19

0835

B Co located at obj-1 (586188)

20

0835

C Co road sweeps complete, road clear from Highway 1 to Trung Lap

21

0855

B Co at obj-2 (592184)

22

0858

1st Co 4/49th & 495 RF kicked off ballgame

23

0910

Menehune 1 on station for Psyops

24

0912

Hornet 6 C&C on station ETA 15

25

0950

2nd troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th located at obj-23 (602299)

26

0950

D Co airborne from Hunsley at 0950 hours, down green 0956 at grid 573274

27

1000

B Co location (592184), 2nd Co & 3rd Co 2/49th (602249)

28

1000

AO Lobo given to 25th Avn. Bn. for FFZ (free fire zone) from 1000 to 1800

29

1012

A Co airborne from night laager at 1011 hours, down green at 634218 at 1014 hours

30

1018

1st Co 2/49th airborne from night laager at 1018, down green at 1020 at 634218

31

1025

C Co airborne from Patton at 1025, down green at 1028 at (609191)

32

1030

Request AO for Eagle Eye operations south of 20, east of 62

33

1050

D Co (576274) found 155mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number, 105mm possible booby-trap, negative trip wire, HF fuse.  Will blow

34

1055

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap at 1055 hours, down green at Trung Lap

35

1059

2 Alpha readings, grids (618290)(614285)

36

1105

1st Co 2/49th found bunker 4x4x6 with 1 1/2 ft overhead cover, old (636218)

37

1115

Hornet 2 gunship took shrapnel from artillery round at 5624.  Returning to Cu Chi to check damage.  CRIP returning to Trung Lap to wait for replacement gunship

38

B Co found gook in tunnel who fired a couple of rounds.  Threw a grenade in hole.  Gooks came out another entrance to throw a grenade.  Then B Co received sniper fire.  One man wounded, urgent.  Hornet will do dustoff.  Also got 1 VC body count.  Dustoff to 12th Evac complete 1125.  (594182), one Kit Carson wounded

39

1120

Becomes effective 16 Oct 0010.  Suffixes change, also frequencies:  Power Zenith (68.60), 1/5th (Mech), Hostile Nectar (55.45), 3/4 Cav, Grand Jockey (65.90), Division Tropic Lightning is added as permanent call sign.

40

1132

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap at 1132, down green at 1140 (615229)

41

1132

C Co found hooch which could have been used to cook in last night at 608191, will burn and destroy, then continue

42

1141

Request clearance for air strike (602315) TOT 1 1/2 hours.  Cleared

43

1143

Have 2 body count instead of 1, also 2 AK-47, and 1 RPG-2 launcher

44

1153

Request clearance for Issue to expend his own ordinance (643293).  Cleared

45

1155

AMC released, blade hours report will be sent later

46

1156

Request clearance for air strike at (600313), TOT within the hour.  Cleared

47

1204

Locations:  D Co (576274), B Co (594182), A Co (639220), C Co (608191), 1st Co 2/49 (636218), 2 Troop Cav & 3 Co 2/49th (602249)

48

1205

B Co also found in tunnel:  AK vest with 708 magazines, helmet, M-79 bandolier with medical supplies, 1 Chicom grenade, 1 RPG round, 2 boosters, wallet with papers

49

1210

Request air strike clearance for 632262, TOT within the hour.  Cleared

50

1215

Clearance for air strike 645280.  Cleared

51

1215

A Co (639220) found 155mm dud round, negative booby-trap or lot number.  Will blow

52

1226

CRIP found 1 dead female aged 16 years old, and took about 25 females & 4 males as detainees at 615215.  There are lots of bunkers in the area.

53

1230

A) Co B  B) Round, new, unknown type, in packing canister; 21 cans of 3-ea. fuze, mortar type.  C) vicinity 594182  D) Will keep until photographed.  E) Continuing search

54

1240

A) CRIP  B) Large bunker, with PSP overhead cover, concrete wall, 10x15x60, CP type.  C) 615219  D) Destroyed  E) Continued search

55

1250

Centaur 52 on station, depart 1330 hours

56

1302

A) Co D  B) 155mm dud, negative booby-trap, negative lot number, same location 105mm, possibly booby-trap, HG fuze, negative trip wire, also hooch with ??, and tree nearby with steps cut into it, black pajamas nearby.  C) 625175

57

1220

[Late Entry]  A) CRIP  B) 5-7 individuals evading area  C) 615219  D) Request LST  E) Continue search

58

1346

A Co (637218), B Co (594182), C Co (608191), D Co (625174), CRIP (615219), 1st Co 2/49th (638216), 2nd Troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th (602249)

59

1400

Round B Co had was a 75mm recoilless rocket round, fuzes were 82mm rounds

60

1410

C Co 2nd platoon (606188) found dud 105mm round, negative booby-trap or lot number.  Rusty.  Will blow

61

1425

C Co has destroyed 3 hooches and stack of hay so far today

62

1435

2nd Troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th cleared Trung Lap

63

1445

A Co 3rd platoon found spider hole 2x2x6, bunker 4x4x6, recent use by 2-3 individuals within the last 24 hours

64

1447

C Co 2nd platoon (608191) found a 5 gallon can of rice, destroyed it

65

1450

CRIP closed Trung Lap

66

1455

Yellow Jacket warning, unknown element within 1800 meters (566318), for information only this afternoon

67

1500

A Co & 1st Co 2/49th departing search area for obj-A & B

68

1502

B Co closed Patton

69

1507

Locations:  C Co (599190), D Co (580274), A Co (634221), 1st Co 2/49th (639220)

70

1515

Clearance for air strike (654265).  Cleared

71

1518

A Co located obj-A (626225)

72

AO request to 1/5th (Mech) 140600 to 141800 hours Oct 69.  North of 21, west of 64.  Approved (JS)

73

1527

D Co located obj-3 (585270)

74

1532

C Co (591188) found 155mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number.  Will blow

75

1533

1st Co 2/49th located obj-B (624220)

76

1548

A Co (620225) found 155mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number, will blow

77

1600

Clearance for air strike (635262).  Cleared

78

1600

C Co closed Patton

79

1605

1st Co 2/49th cleared night laager, D Co also closed Hunsley

80

1610

A Co closed night laager

81

1650

A Co has spotted 1 individual (617228), engaging him with 81mm, 38 degrees, 350 meters, 975 meters, 6122

82

1655

Menehune 3 on station for VR

83

1733

AO request for 2 Co 2/49th (580252-610252-580220-610220), approved.  495 RF & 1 Co 4/49th (580220-580180-610205-610180), approved

84

1740

Brigade requested clearance 620290-630305-582295 for sometime this evening for Misty Bronco.  Clearance granted for 620290 and 630305.  Negative clearance for 582295

85

1747

LNO requested meeting between Brigade commander and LTC Rice and his counterpart at Duc Lap at 0900 14 Oct 69.

86

1815

1st Inf Div troop request along river 4751 to 6530, 1000 meters, DTG 13/1800-14/0600.  Approved

87

1815

A Co NCP-2 kicked off

88

1825

From LNO:  NCPs out of Trung Lap:  595218, 587213, 598212, 587220, 591204, 589201, 582200, 598202, 590207

89

1835

D Co NCP-1 & A Co NCP-1 kicked off

90

1845

B Co NCP W-1 & W-2 departed

91

1926

B Co NCP W-2 in position

92

1952

B Co NCP W-1 in position

93

2005

A Co NCP-1 in position (622231), NCP-2 in position (608219)

94

2008

Chieu Hoi entered Trung Lap at 1930 hours.  Name: Tran Van Com, born 1950, squad leader of local force at Trung Lap.  Brought 1 AK-47.  ARVNs want to use him tomorrow to search for tunnels, bunkers, etc.

95

2023

Hunsley radar 582272, picked up 2-3 individuals moving northwest, fired 18 105mm high explosive

96

2000

[Late Entry]  Battalion commander's meeting at Cu Chi tomorrow 1730 hours.  LOH taxi will pick up Maj. Chadrue at 1630 hours.  Submitted LOH requests for tomorrow w/priority for LOH taxi to take Maj. Chadrue & Maj. Branscome to Hunsley at 0800 and return them to Patton at 0930

97

2038

AO request:  140600-141800 (5628-5728-5725-562250)  Brigade commander wants 2/12th Inf to react to intelligence report in this area

98

2105

Nighthawk 02 on station

99

2106

Radar at Hunsley picked up 580264 2-3 individuals, stationary, fired 18 105mm high explosive

100

2120

Radar at Hunsley 580266 picked up 2-3 individuals moving northwest, fired 1 105mm white phosphorous round, 18 105mm high explosive rounds

101

2138

25 detainees today had good ID cards, but no work permits.  IDs turned over to village chief to have permit cards made out

102

2136

[Late Entry]  D Co CP-I touch down

103

2138

From CRIP:  Chaplain requests transportation from Trung Lap to Hunsley by 0930, 14 Oct

104

2200

Nighthawk off station

105

2210

SLAR reading XT565270, ox cart or sampan in open, fired 30 105mm high explosive

106

2220

Contacted 2/12th Inf in reference to AO request for 14 Oct.  They will exploit source tomorrow.  3 targets in their AO, 1 target vicinity Sa Th??-2 commo LNO section, supply agency

107

2240

AMC 15 Oct 1230-1600

108

2250

Venice East radar 573177 picked up 1 individual crossing the road, no fire zone

109

2300

2 Co 2n49th ARVN LD 0700 (595222) recon to obj-21 (600229), obj-22 (606236), obj-23 (605244), obj-24 (601251), obj-25 (592247), obj-26 (585242), obj-27 (588235), obj-28 (587226), return to Trung Lap.  1 Co 4/49th LD 0700 (597199), recon to obj-43 (598192), obj-44 (600185), obj-45 (609191), obj-46 (603203), return to Trung Lap.  495 RF LD 0700 (588205), obj-41 (589215), obj-42 (583213), return to Trung Lap

110

2316

Nighthawk 01 on station

111

2320

LOH confirmations for 14 Oct:  0800 taxi, 1010 taxi, 1020 taxi, 1400-1430 Psyops, 1500-1600 VR, 1630 taxi

112

Summary:  Co A conducted CP into area vicinity of Bau Trang.  1 Co 2/49th ARVN C/A to south, 2 Companies searched area and reconned back to Dong Tien.  Co B searched area southeast of Patton 2 kilometers, found 2 VC in a tunnel, scored 2 body count, 2 AK-47s, ammo, documents, 2 RPGs, had 2 WIAs.  Co C searched the area east of Patton to 3 kilometers, destroyed hooch used by VC last night and found 1 dud 155mm round and 1 dud 105mm round with hand grenade fuze and trip wire.  CRIP picked up 25 detainees without work permits, turned their ID cards over to the village chief to have necessary permits issued.  Engaged 1 person evading in the morning and claimed 1 body count.  Fired at 7-8 individuals evading them but lost them, found 1 bunker 10x15x60 made of concrete, with PSP overhead cover.  6 NCPs scheduled for the night, 2 form Dong Tien, 2 from Patton, 1 from Hunsley and 1 from Venice East.