Daily Staff Journal  20-Oct-69

ITEM

TIME

INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.

01

0001

LOG OPENED:
Supporting information for today's events:  Bn. Cmdr LTC Donald O. Crutchley (on R&R), XO Maj Robert Chaudrue (acting commander), S3 Maj. Dexter Branscome, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Baron, S2 Cpt Joseph Murphy (hospital), S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 2Lt Andrew Moyer
Locations:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) 2 4-ship lifts, 1st lift PZ FSB Patton 0730 hours, after artillery prep, C/A LZ-1 (618300), recon to obj-1 (616294), obj-3 (613287), conduct detail search of area, PZ vicinity 610285, 1520 hours, return to FSB.  2nd lift PZ FSB Patton 0750 hours, C/A LZ-2 (625298), recon to obj-2 (619293), obj-4 (617286), conduct detail search of area.  PZ vicinity 618284, 1500 hours return to FSB.  Conduct 2 NCPs vicinity of FSB.
   B Co (-) LD 0700 hours 588203, recon to obj-11 (582212), obj-12 (576220), obj-13 (579229), obj-14 (584225) return to Trung Lap
   C Co (+) Stand down
   D Co (-) 2 4-ship lifts, 1st lift PZ PB Hunsley 0810 hours after artillery prep, C/A LZ-3 (609273), 2nd lift PZ PB Hunsley 0820 hours, C/A LZ-4 (613274) set up blocking position from 610281 to 615281, 1540 hours, return to PB.  Conduct 1 NCP vicinity PB.
   CRIP:  VCI operations vicinity Trung Lap
   4.2 Platoon (-) FSB Patton, 2 tubes at Trung Lap
   Radar:  PPS-4 Venice East & FSB Patton
   1st Co 4/49 LD 0700 597202 obj-1 (603200), 1 platoon recon to obj-2 (612204), obj-3 (614193), obj-5 (610190), obj-6 (607180), obj-7 (601181), obj-8 (596188), return to Trung Lap.  1 platoon recon to obj-4 (602193), obj-5 (610190), obj-7 (601181), obj-8 (596188), return to Trung Lap
   2nd, 3rd, HHC 2/49th LD 0700 597219, recon to obj-A (599229), obj-B (601237), obj-C (600242), obj-D (592244), split at D, 2 Co recons to obj-E (586248), obj-F (577237), obj-H (588232), return to Trung Lap.  3rd Co and HHC recon to obj-G (585241), obj-H (588232), join with 2 Co and return to Trung Lap.
   1st Co 2/49th, 2nd Recon, PF, RF, 2/10 Cav, on stand down

02

0033

Nighthawk on station.  Checked area east of 7A between Patton and Venice East, negative findings

03

0035

Sitrep - negative

04

0045

Nighthawk 01 off station

05

0100

Sitrep - negative

06

0115

Wrap-up of reported movement between Patton and Venice East: A Co personnel on bunker line reported movement.  Radar and starlight scopes from towers at Patton, Venice East and Trung Lap had negative pickups.  A & B Co fired mortars into the area after confirming the position of A Co NCP-1.  4.2 platoon fired illumination over the area.  Nighthawk dropped flares and checked the area with negative findings.

07

0120

Brigade requested clearance for air strike in grid 663263 for 20/0800-20/1700

08

0200

Sitrep - negative

09

0300

Sitrep - negative

10

0400

Sitrep - negative

11

0500

Sitrep - negative

12

0530

Electric fence turned off (KB)

13

0630

2nd Brigade Avn 5 on station for taxi run

14

0640

A Co NCP-1 cleared Patton

15

0700

116th Avn-2 C&C on station

16

0705

A Co NCP-2 closed Patton

17

0705

B Co kicked off ballgame

18

0722

LNO:  Road sweep kicked off 45 minutes ago, 1st Co 4/49th at LD (597202)

19

0730

Brigade:  ARVN Report - A) ARVN  B) 6 Co  C) #1-4, #3-8, D-E-F negative;  A) RF  B) 1 Co  C) #1-1, #3-1, D-E-F negative;  A) PF  B) 1 platoon  C) #4-1, D-E-F negative

20

0730

B Co road sweeps kicked off at 0645

21

0733

Brigade:  AO Branch given to 25th Avn Bn for free fire zone from 0733 hours to 1800 hours

22

0736

A Co airborne from Patton at 0736 hours, down green at 0748 hours (617302)

23

0737

Counter-mortar radar shut down at this time

24

0740

LNO:  2nd, 3rd and HHC LD location (597219) at 0740 hours

25

0750

B Co location (582212) obj-11

26

0755

LNO:  1st Co 4/49 obj-1 (603200)

27

0800

LNO:  2nd, 3rd and HHC at obj-A (599229)

28

0800

A Co 2nd lift 4 ships airborne from Patton at 0756 hours, down green 0802 hours (625299)

29

0801

A Co found partially built bunker 2 ft deep, occupied within 24 hours, negative findings (619299)

30

0812

D Co 1st lift airborne at 0812 hours from Hunsley, down green at 0816 hours (608268)

31

0818

D Co 2nd lift airborne from Hunsley, down green at 0821 hours (613266)

32

0820

A Co found booby-trapped 82mm with trip wire (628299), will blow

33

0825

S-3:  Blade hours report, 7 1/2 hours consumed as of 0830 hours, also released AMC

34

0825

LNO:  2nd, 3rd and HHC obj-B (601237)

35

0833

B Co road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

36

0845

Locations:  1st Co 4/49 (603200), 2nd, 3rd and HHC (601237), A Co (728298) and (617300), B Co (577217), D Co (610279) and (612276)

37

0855

LNO:  2nd, 3rd and HHC obj-C (600242)

38

0910

A Co 2nd platoon found a tunnel 2x2, wooden-lined entrance, down 6 ft back 75 meters, recent activity (628297)

39

0910

A Co found trail used by 1 barefoot individual heading on 200-degree azimuth within 24 hours (617300)

40

0912

2nd Brigade Avn 2 on station for VR for 2/49th

41

1000

Locations:  A Co 2nd platoon (616296), 3rd platoon (623300), B Co (579227), D Co 3rd platoon (610281) CP (512281), 2nd platoon (614281), 1st Co 4/49th (608202), 2nd, 3rd and HHC (592244)

42

1000

A Co found trail activity 140-degree azimuth, Ho Chi Minh sandals, also bunker 5x5x12 with 1 1/2 ft overhead cover, wooden floor, walls and a rack.  Inside 17 AK-47 rounds, 1 pair pliers, ammo can, chisel, punch, 2 small rolls trip wire, live rat in trap, also a hooch.  The hooch was a lean-to type.  6x6x4 high, contained 1 US pistol belt, chop sticks, knife, also a spider hole 2x2x4.  The spider hole contained 1 US entrenching tool, pot with moist rice, 50 cal can.  2 pounds dried rice inside, 1 lb bottle kerosene.  Very recent activity.  (616294), will destroy

43

1011

Brigade:  2nd Brigade Avn schedule changed 1015 to 1100 and 1615 to 1700

44

1015

D Co Locations:  2nd platoon (615285), 3rd platoon (611285)

45

1016

B Co found 2 old punji pits covered with straw mats (579229), will destroy

46

1026

Brigade:  FAC expended ordnance in grid (640242), cleared

47

1030

CRIP - VCI for today's ballgame (576220) 1400-1800 hours, Ballgame for 21 Oct 69 VCI operations (595232) from 0500 hours to 0730 hours, also checkpoint (603213) from 1700-1845 hours

48

1040

B Co requests urgent Medevac for 9-year-old child.  Shot by S-2 personnel, possible loss of arm, location of incident Venice East, Medevac team from Patton.  Medevac 153 completed at 1057 hours

49

1045

Locations:  A Co (616294) and (623300), B Co (579229), D Co 2nd platoon (615285), 3rd platoon (611285), 1st Co 4/49 (614193), 2nd 3rd and HHC (592244)

50

1052

Artillery LNO PB Hunsley:  Concerning one incoming round reported by PB Hunsley last night, check of area revealed 1 Chicom claymore in place outside 1st wire, one was set off (NE)

51

1055

Medevac 153 on station at 1054 hours, complete to 12th Evac at 1100 hours

52

1110

2/12th Inf:  AO request originating 210600 to 211800, 25 south, 215 north, 58 west to AO boundary

53

1115

D Co follow-up on claymores set up at Hunsley, they were in the 1st wire.  One went off, one had faulty blasting caps and didn't go off.  Tracks approached from northeast.  Negative knowledge of departure route.  Claymore DH-10 type Chicom

54

1140

Locations:  1st Co 4/49 (614193), 2nd, 3rd and HHC (592244), A Co no change, B Co (584225), D Co (617289) and (615289)

55

1145

A Co 2nd platoon found spider hole 1x1x4 with 10 ft tunnel leading off by 18x18-inch cement trap door, also 4 foreign-made weapons, rusty mine (usable), also an axle and wheel to .51 cal (616294), will destroy

56

1205

A Co found tunnel with 1x1 1/2 entrance, down 5 ft, left 5 ft, also 4 Chicom rifle grenades, 2 blue shirts, 1 blue short, 3 ponchos, very recent activity (616294)

57

1213

A Co requesting 3 more 40 lb shaped charges to destroy tunnel, will use C-4 to partially destroy it

58

1230

A Co found a bunker 10x10x6 with 1 1/2 ft overhead cover, also found odds and ends of clothing (616294)

59

1235

LNO:  3rd Co and HHC found 10 bags of rice, 50 lbs each (585241)

60

1240

A Co found 1 lean-to hooch 5 ft high 6 ft long, also hole 1x1x6 and 50 lb bag of rice, US type (616294), will destroy

61

1255

Locations:  A Co (616294) and (619293), B Co located at Trung Lap, D Co (615285) and (611285), 1st Co 4/49 (614193), 3rd Co and HHC (585241), 2nd Co (578237)

62

1255

Brigade:  AO request for 3rd of 82nd Airborne from now until 220600 hours, 6526 south to 2/14th boundary and east to brigade boundary, approved

63

1300

B Co closed Patton

64

1320

LNO:  AO request of 2/12 approval sent to 2/12 ASAP

65

1325

2/12 Inf::  Received approval of AO request

66

1325

A Co found 50 cal ammo can under log, also 1 straight razor, 3 pieces of gauze, and documents (618299)

67

1345

Locations:  A Co (616293) and (619292), D Co (615285) and (611285), 2nd Co 2/49 (577237), 3rd Co 2/49 and HHC (585241), 1st Co 4/49 (614193)

68

1405

CRIP kicked off ballgame

69

1410

LNO:  1st Co 4/49 closed Trung Lap

70

1425

A Co found 2 spider holes, they were old but showed recent use.  2x2x3 also fresh fish and rock salt found, 5 lb each (618296)

71

1425

LNO:  2nd, 3rd, HHC closed Trung Lap

72

1445

116th Avn 2 on station for C&C ship

73

1450

A Co bound booby-trap, 82mm round with 2 ft trip wire (614287), will destroy

74

1455

Locations:  CRIP (576220), A Co (618284), D Co (617283), (615283)

75

1508

CRIP requests Medevac, urgent, one VC suspect was shot when he failed to stop and tried to evade unit.  Had ID, negative paperwork (580220)

76

1530

Medevac 153 on station 1530 hours, complete 1534 hours to 12th Evac

77

1512

[Late Entry] D Co airborne from (615281) at 1519 hours this first lift, down green Hunsley at 1521 hours

78

1521

[Late Entry] D Co 2nd lift airborne (615281) at 1533 hours, down green at Hunsley at 1535 hours

79

1539

A Co 1st lift airborne from (618284) at 1535 hours, down green Patton at 1539 hours

80

1545

A Co 2nd lift airborne from (618284) at 1542 hours, down green Patton at 1545 hours

81

1545

S-3 reports 5 1/2 hours of blade time used, AMC released

82

1550

Brigade:  Air strike in 2/12 AO location (668249) now until 1800 hours

83

1615

Brigade:  Forward Air Controller wants to expend his ordinance in grid (611283), approved

84

1625

CRIP location (580220) all other closed

85

1625

Brigade:  D Co NCP changed to (600276)

86

1635

Menehune 2 on station for VR

87

1655

LNO:  APs for 2/49th:  585216, 587210, 597212, 598207, 593220, 591206, 587206, 591203, 594200, 598202

88

1710

CRIP closed Trung Lap

89

1750

D Co 2nd platoon departed for 260-degree RIF

90

1821

Weather report:  Temp 75; humidity 55, winds from north 5 knots, sky condition partially cloudy, ceiling 8000 feet, visibility 5-7 miles

91

1837

D Co tower at Hunsley spotted 2 individuals taking evasive action grid 596267, took them under fire with M-60.  360-degree RIF spotted 3-4 individuals 160 degrees and 400 meters out of Hunsley.  Expenditures: 81mm 33 high explosive, 4 white phosphorous

92

1838

D Co NCP-M departed Hunsley

93

1850

Requested LFT and flare ship to work around Hunsley

94

1855

D Co NCP-M swept area where individuals spotted, found fresh foot prints northeast at 596267.  Also PB radar spotted 2-4 individuals 15 degrees, 200 meters north, visual sighting also of 3-4 individuals 160 degrees, 400 meters from Patrol Base

95

1900

A Co AP-1 573198 and AP-2 586186 departed Patton

96

1904

Issue 24 on station to work for PB Hunsley

97

1911

Diamond Head 1 on station, negative flare ship

98

1919

D Co NCP-M departed Hunsley

99

1924

D Co NCP-M spotted movement just outside the wire, 350 degrees, 300 meters, unknown number of individuals, popping up and moving out

100

1935

Diamond Head 1 leaving station to go to Cu Chi to rearm and refuel, will come back to Hunsley

101

1952

A Co NCP-2 touched down (586189)

102

1959

A Co NCP-1 touched down (572195)

103

2007

Little Bear 276 (Nighthawk) on station to work for PB Hunsley

104

2009

D Co NCP-M pulled back inside PB for resupply of ammo

105

2015

Diamond Head 1 LFT on station to work for Hunsley

106

2035

Diamond Head 1 released

107

2036

D Co has a visual sighting of 2 individuals 340 degrees, 200 meters, Nighthawk is checking it out at this time

107A

2044

LOH request 210830 VR for Sr. ARVN advisor 2/49th

108

2045

D Co has definite starlight scope sighting of VC running in open in area where NCP-M took gooks under fire, NCP-M believes they had a 2 body count

109

2104

Patton electric fence on

110

2110

D Co NCP-M departed PB for AP location (600276), they will sweep the area of contact

111

2118

Little Bear 276 (Nighthawk) released

112

2132

A Co AP new location 572195

113

2139

Radar pickup from Trung Lap 2130, (58162534) 2-3 individuals moving south, fired 18 high explosive 105mm

114

2153

A Co AP-2 new location (586189)

115

2200

Sitrep - negative all elements 2/14

116

2231

From Brigade S-2:  Possible new high points around Tay Ninh area, (A) At 2000 hours XT184494 RF in contact with 2 platoons of enemy, (B) 2000 hours XT081475 CIDG in contact with 1 platoon, (C) 6 VC spotted in area of Hunsley, (D) 157 RF received small arms fire and 7 RPGs, injuries were 7 WIA, 1 KIA, (E) 132 RF received small arms fire, (F) LRRP AP observed 10-20 VC at XT532216 carrying AK's and B-40's

117

2235

D Co NCP-J in new location (601276)

118

2300

Sitrep - negative all units 2/14

119

2356

D Co NCP-J sees 5 individuals 270 degrees at 400 meters, with weapons, will engage with 81mm mortars

120

2400

Sitrep - negative all units 2/14

121

2400

Summary:  In early morning hours, bunker line thought they spotted movement between Venice East and Patton, but radar, starlight scopes and Nighthawk failed to make any confirmation.  What was thought to be an incoming mortar round last night at Hunsley proved to be a Chicom claymore planted in the first wire, 1 detonated but second did not.  A Co conducted a heliborne and search mission in the northern Ho Bo Woods with D Co acting as a blocking force to the south.  A Co found heavy trail activity, 2 82mm booby-traps (destroyed them), AK ammo, 4 Chicom rifle grenades, 4 foreign-made weapons (rusty, unusable), 50 lbs of rice, clothing, equipment, destroyed 4 bunkers, 3 tunnels and 3 spider holes.  B Co conducted detailed search in area north of Patton between Dan Han and Trung Lap, found 2 old punji pits.  C Co was on stand down in Cu Chi.  CRIP conducted VCI activities in the vicinity of Trung Lap, shot and wounded 1 VC suspect who attempted to evade.  Subject was dusted off by Medevac ship.  Hunsley radar, starlight scope and NCP spotted movement in the vicinity of the patrol base.  Mortars, artillery and small arms engaged suspected VC.  LFT came on station and put ordnance in the area.  Nighthawk checked the area.  Negative confirmation of body count.  A Co had 2 NCPs out of Patton, D Co had 1 NCP out of Hunsley, ARVNs had 10 NCPs in the vicinity of Trung Lap

122

2400

Log Closed