Daily Staff Journal  22-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 Courtney Rittgers, S3 Maj. Dexter Branscome, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Baron, S2 Cpt Michael Collier, S5 Vacant

Locations:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) Depart FSB Patton 0800 to Trung Lap by truck, recon to obj-1 (598219), obj-2 (608219), set up 1 platoon-size blocking position for 613224-618227, 1 platoon search CM 200 meter radius from CM 618223.  1400 hours return to obj 2&1, to Trung Lap.  Truck to FSB
   B Co (-) 2 4-ship lifts, 1st lift PZ FSB Patton 0900 hours after artillery prep C/A LZ-1 (610257), recon to obj-1 (606250), obj-2 (603247), obj-4 (604239), to PZ (612232) 1400 hours, return to FSB Patton; 2nd lift PZ FSB Patton 0915 hours, after artillery prep C/A LZ-2 (610257), recon to obj-1 (606250), obj-3 (608244), obj-5 (613243), to PZ (616237) 1415 hours, return to FSB Patton.  During recon be prepared to react to different objectives.  1 platoon occupy Venice East and tower at FSB, conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 0645 hours.
   C Co (-) 2 4-ship lifts, 1st lift PZ PB Hunsley 0930 hours, after artillery prep C/A LZ-2 (596252), 2nd 4-ship lift PZ PB Hunsley 0945 hours, C/A LZ-2 (596252).  Co (-) recon to obj-A (598250), obj-B (601244), obj-C (598239), obj-D (602238), to PZ (602235).  1st lift PZ 1430 hours, return to PB; 2nd lift PZ 1445 hours, return to PB.  During recon be prepared to react to different objectives.  Conduct 1 NCP vicinity PB
   D Co (OpCon to 2/10 Cav)
   CRIP:  Mobile operations with Mini AW 0700 to 0900 hours
   4.2 Platoon (-) FSB Patton, 2 tubes at Trung Lap
   Radar:  PPS-4 FSB Patton and Venice East
   2/49 Bn (-) LD 0700 (585200) recon to obj-1 (576208), to obj-2 (567211), to obj-3 (554212), obj-4 (536210), obj-5 (544202), obj-6 (549193), obj-7 (564187), RP at Patton, return to Trung Lap
   1 Co 2/49 ARVN LD 0600 (588214), recon to obj-A (583212), obj-B (577219), obj-C (568218), obj-D (560217), obj-E (543216), obj-4 (536210), obj-5 (544202), obj-F (559201), obj-G (568196), RP at Patton, return to Trung Lap

02

0100

Sitrep - negative

03

0150

Rec Conf Msg #X-10-082C, Subject: 2nd Brigade Plans Summary Change #2, 22 Oct

04

0200

Sitrep - negative

05

0300

Sitrep - negative

06

0335

Nighthawk 02 on station

07

0408

Sitrep - negative

08

0500

Sitrep - negative

09

0505

LOH confirmations for today: 1520-1600 VR for Capt. Branch, 1600-1700 VR for Maj Rittgers

10

0510

Red Haze targets fired at:  595240 1 individual, 30 rounds 105mm high explosive, 587253 1 individual, fired 18 105mm rounds high explosive

11

0510

Mini-Cav confirmed for today:  C&C from 0700-0830

12

0510

TPS-25 radar 63182362, 3-4 moving east, fired 30 rounds 105mm high explosive

13

0522

CRIP Bushwhacker NCP departed Trung Lap

14

0645

B Co road sweep team kicked off from Patton

15

0650

A Co AP-3 and AP-4 have closed Patton

16

0655

B Co AP-1 closed Patton

17

0700

2nd Bde Avn 2 on station for C&C

18

0700

C Co NCP closed Hunsley

19

0705

CRIP found hooch, bunker with tunnel, 3 branches, 45 ft long total, negative findings (600222), will blow

20

0711

Brigade:  Air strike request (625260), approved

21

0720

3/4 Cav Avn 53 on station

22

0730

CRIP found 81mm booby-trap with trip wire and pressure-type device (600222), will blow

23

0730

3/4 Cav Avn 25 on station with 2 slicks of Aero Rifle

24

0735

Cu Chi Sub Sector ballgame for today:  0900 hours to 1500 hours going to exploit Hoi Chanh who supposedly knows tunnel where VC are hiding.  Grids (6023-6223-6221-6021), 495 RF out of Cu Chi Sub Sector, 29th PF platoon out of Trung Lap.  Disapproved

25

0753

3/4 Cav Aero Rifle platoon down (600227) at 0753 hours

26

0813

3/4 Cav Aero Rifle platoon airborne from (600227) at 0813 hours, down green at Trung Lap at 0815 hours

27

0820

Battalion CO:  3/4 Cav Aero Rifle Platoon released

28

0822

A Co kicked off from Patton on ballgame

29

0823

LNO:  2nd Co 2/49 kicked off at 0630 hours, Bn (-) kicked off at 0730 hours

30

0825

LNO:  BN6-1 Co 2/49 found anti-personnel mine, 3-inch diameter, attached to ARVN-type boat (574210), will blow

31

0827

CRIP closed Trung Lap

32

0835

C Co NCP site (591279) call sign AP-1, 18 men

33

0845

B Co reports Highway 7A clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

34

0821

[Late Entry] Cu Chi Sub Sector requests AO (6023, 0223, 6221, 6021) for 23 Oct 69.  This AO was disapproved today.

35

0823

[Late Entry] S-3:  The AMC came on with 39 blade hours, 15 hours were consumed by previous element.  2/14 plans on using 21 hours.  If to release to another unit they will need an extension

36

0900

116th Avn 5 on station for C&C ship

37

0917

Brigade gave AO Lobo to 25th Avn for free fire zone

38

0930

Brigade:  CRIP ballgame change.  2 ships PZ Trung Lap 1000 hours LZ vicinity LZ-2 secured by C Co and conduct stay-behind ambush vicinity (600245).  PZ 1300 hours, return to Trung Lap

39

0951

B Co airborne from Patton 0951 hours, down green at 0958 hours (610257) 1st lift

40

1007

B Co 2nd lift airborne from Patton at 1003 hours, down green at 1007 hours at (610256)

41

1017

C Co 1st lift airborne from Hunsley at 1017 hours, down green at 1020 hours (596252)

42

1022

C Co 2nd lift airborne from Hunsley at 1022 hours, down green at 1025 hours (596252)

43

1028

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap at 1028 hours, down green at 1031 hours (596252)

44

1030

S-3: Blade hours 23 1/2 hours, AMC released

45

1032

A) B Co  B) Trail  C) 608245  D) well-traveled, recent use south-north  E) continue mission

46

1040

Co C source on ground

47

1056

Locations:  A Co (618223), B Co (606250), C Co (598249), CRIP (598240), 2 Co (560217), 2/49 (-) (554212)

48

1105

Brigade:  Approved 661251 for air strike from now until 1800

49

1110

S-3:  Blade hours consumed as of 1100 hours was 23 1/2 hours

50

1128

A Co 1st platoon in blocking position, 1 platoon in area of search at this time

51

1130

B Co found 2 punji pits, old, negative recent use (603247)

52

1145

Locations:  A Co (614225), (618223), B Co (603245), (608244), C Co (601245), CRIP (601245), 2nd Co 2/49 (560217), 2/49 Bn (-) (554212)

53

1205

CRIP set up in daytime CP (602245)

54

1210

Brigade:  River AO's for TF Early Snow disapproved for today.  1 HR is the only River AO approved for today.  Will continue to request AO's daily

55

1215

B Co spotted 1 NVA, full gear, helmet, AK-47.  Engaged and individual ran southwest, moving to check area (604238)

56

1235

C Co found anti-tank mine, 10 in diameter, pressure-type (601242), will destroy

57

1240

Locations:  A Co (614225), (618223), B Co (604239), (613243), C Co (601242), CRIP (602245), 2nd Co 2/49 and 2/49 Bn (-) same as previous

58

1255

C Co found a 105mm round, negative booby-trap or lot number, was in a shallow hole someone dug (601239), will blow

59

1130

[Late Entry] Brigade:  AO request 3rd Brigade 82 Div DTG 24060-010600 (635300 to 635250 and all east to our boundary.  Disapproved

60

1300

10th Cav - AO request for 2/49 DTG 230600-231800 area (600230-630240-640200-605200)

61

1305

Forward Air Controller:  Request for (625254) to put in his own ordnance.  Cleared

62

1313

Brigade:  2/14 will have the AMC for 23 Oct 69 0900 to 1500 hours

63

1320

Brigade:  Brigade approved the following AO for the 82nd Airborne (6524-6526 east to our boundary) until DTG 230600

64

1320

Cu Chi Sub Sector:  AO request disapproved 10th ARVN Cav has a joint operation in that AO until 27 Oct 69

65

1330

2/14 Commo Section:  Teletype message QSL sent 1330 hours

66

1332

LNO:  2/49 Bn (-) have POW, found in tunnel, he is an assistant finance officer.  He led them to a well and 1 US carbine (547212), are bringing him in

67

1340

C Co requests Medevac, 3 litter urgent US (598232), believe received 2 60mm rounds and sporadic small arms fire from south.

68

1358

Medevac 150 on station 1358 hours, complete 1406 hours to 12th Evac.

69

1412

C Co:  suspect casualties resulted from claymore command detonated 150 meters apart

70

1412

A Co 1st lift airborne at 1412 hours  from (615225), down green Patton at 1414 hours.

71

1415

S-3:  Blade hours report 28 1/2 hours consumed, request 30 minutes time extension.  Blade hours will be sufficient

72

1418

A Co 2nd lift at 1418 hours from (615225), down Patton at 1421 hours

73

1432

CRIP airborne at 1432 from (603244), down Trung Lap at 1435 hours

74

1440

Brigade:  Request approval at grid location (579297) for Forward Air Controller, approved

75

1445

B Co 1st lift airborne from (612232) at 1445 hours, down green at Patton 1448 hours

76

1452

B Co 2nd lift airborne from (612232) 1452 hours, down green at Patton 1454 hours

77

1505

LNO:  Locations 2nd Co 2/49 to (543216), 2/49 Bn (-) (536210)

78

1513

C Co 1st lift airborne from (602235) at 1510 hours, down Hunsley at 1513 hours

79

1518

S-3:  Blade hours report 39 hours 15 minutes, AMC released

80

1518

C Co:  2nd lift airborne from (602235) at 1515 hours, down Hunsley at 1518 hours

81

1543

1/5th (Mech):  AO request 500 meters around 560188 for 1615 hours this afternoon.  Disapproved

82

1553

2nd Brigade Avn 2 on station for VR

83

1615

Task Force Fresh present night location, will be at 667191

84

1640

Brigade requests approval for Issue at 635227

85

1752

82nd Airborne NCP's near our boundary:  692177, 694175, 699177, 697208, 694142

86

1800

Clearance for Issue to expend ordnance at XT623287 requested by Brigade.  Approved

87

1803

Ballgame for Task Force Fresh for 23 Oct 69 depart night laager site, recon to obj-31 (648177), to obj-32 (637178), to obj-33 (638185), Cav hold, infantry recon to obj-34 (632182), all elements recon to obj-35 (630190), to obj-36 (629196)

88

1730

[Late Entry] From LNO:  2/49 Bn (-) and 2nd Co 2/49 closed Trung Lap

89

1740

[Late Entry] Brigade wants to employ FAC aircraft in 613303

90

1808

C Co NCP-3 kicked off from Hunsley

91

1830

CRIP ballgame for 23 Oct 69:  Search and destroy, depart Trung Lap at 0630 to 1130 in AO (583235-587236-583231-589231)

92

1850

A Co NCP-1 & NCP-2 kicked off from Patton

93

1910

A Co NCP-1 200 meters southeast of ambush site, believe they have movement sighted 100 meters on azimuth of 35 degrees, fired illumination with 81mm mortars, negative findings.

94

1917

From LNO:  2/49 NCP's 22 Oct 69: 585212, 591209, 595220, 600212, 585218, 590200, 586206, 590206, 582200, 597203

95

1925

C Co NCP-3 in position 591281

96

1938

TPS-25 radar 58252529 picked up 5-6 individuals moving north at 1927 hours, fired 30 round 105mm high explosive

97

1955

Venice East spotted 3-4 individuals running across road at edge of Bau Dieu village.  Negative action.

98

1955

TPS-25 radar 58522463 picked up 3-4 individuals moving north at 1941 hours, fired 30 round 105mm high explosive rounds

99

1959

Venice East engaged 3 VC, 850 meters at 3800 mils, reconned with M-60

100

2001

From LNO:  AO request for 23 Oct 69:  1 Co 4/49 (585199-595208-612196-612177-590177) ballgame:  LD 0700, (590199), obj-A (592192), obj-B (599181), obj-C (601192), 1st platoon stay while 1 platoon recons to obj-D (610189), return to obj-C.  Company move to obj-E (602200), return to Trung Lap

101

2010

AO request 230800-231800 Oct, south of 28, east of 56, north of 25, approved for area above (north of) 264 (JW)

102

2015

A Co NCP-2 touchdown at 594185

103

2021

TPS-25 radar pick ups:  54272831, 7-8 individuals moving north, 54 105mm high explosive fired;  54542777, 7-8 individuals moving south, 54 105mm high explosive fired

104

2042

NCP-1, A Co, returned to Patton with sick man.  Will move back out to ambush site 576194

105

2055

Venice East spotted 1 individual 850 meters southwest on edge of village

106

2059

A Co NCP-1 moved out on NCP

107

2112

From LNO:  Ballgame 2&3 Co 2/49 LD 0700 (601213) to obj-1 (612207), obj-2 (628205), split, one Co to obj-3 (629212), obj-5 (627218), obj-6 (626225), obj-8 (617226), return to Trung Lap.  1 Co from obj-2 to obj-4 (624211), obj-6 (622219), to obj-8 (617226).  1 Co 2/49 stand down

108

2123

TPS-25 radar:  58172465 at 2030 hours picked up 6-8 individuals moving north, fired 54 105mm high explosive rounds; 58282427 at 2035, 3-4 individuals moving south, fired 30 105mm high explosive

109

2133

Task Force Fresh LP-2 spotted 3 VC 300 meters southwest at 662192, fired 9 81mm high explosive, movement ceased

110

2147

A Co NCP-1 in position 576194

111

2155

TPS-25 radar:  54532766 at 2153 hours picked up 3-4 individuals moving north, fired 25 105mm high explosive

112

2200

Task Force Fresh pulled in all AP's, still have movement approximately 200 meters outside perimeter

113

2200

Sitrep - negative

114

2207

C Co spotted 2 individuals 200 meters west, engaged with 5 M-79 rounds, movement ceased.  Scanning with radar

115

2216

Task Force Fresh spotted 4 VC, 400 meters outside perimeter at 45 degrees azimuth.  Opened up with 50 and 30 cal machine guns

116

2216

CRIP spotted 2 VC moving northwest to southeast vic. 598220, fired 12 4.2 high explosive rounds

117

2239

Task Force Fresh engaged 3-4 individuals with 50 cal, last seen running into bushes 600 meters azimuth 350 degrees, movement ceased

118

2300

Brigade requested clearance for 1st Inf Div troop support, 1 kilometer from 6630, eastern portion of boundary to west until 230600

119

2300

Sitrep - negative

120

2304

Duffle Bag:  CZ 1418 XT65862430, heavy activation, fired 27 105mm high explosive, 3 105mm rounds

121

2400

Sitrep - negative

122

2400

Summary:  CRIP departed Trung Lap before dawn on a Bushwhack operation, found a small tunnel complex and an 81mm booby-trap vicinity of Go Noi (1).  Later in the morning CRIP was inserted into C Co's ballgame to set up stay-behind ambush aimed at VC involved in counter-sweep activities.  Co A was trucked to Trung Lap, reconned to vic. of Xom Moi (2), set up blocking position & searched area.  B & C Co made combat assaults south of Bao Dung and swept south toward Co A's blocking position.  B Co found 2 old punji pits, a fresh trail, and engaged 1 fully equipped NVA soldier armed with AK.  Individual fled area.  C Co found 1 dud 155 round and destroyed it, 1 anti-tank mine.  3 men were injured by a command detonated claymore mine southwest of Go Noi (2).  Co D was OpCon to 2/10 ARVN Cav today.  2/49 ARVNs captured the assistant finance officer for Dan Han and he led them to a carbine hidden in a well.  This evening Venice East spotted movement in the village and on road, reconned with M-60.  Several radar targets were concentrated vic. of Bau Soi (1).  Nighthawk checked area, spotted movement of individuals toward a hooch and after artillery impacted in the area the aircraft checked the area with negative findings.  Hunsley reported movement early in the evening, but nothing developed.  CRIP spotted individuals moving north from tower at Trung Lap and called in 4.2 mortar barrage.  C Co sent 1 NCP from Hunsley, A Co sent 2 NCPs from Patton and the ARVNs had 10 NCPs in vicinity of Trung Lap

123

2400

Log closed