Daily Staff Journal  15-Feb-69

ITEM

TIME

INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.

1

0001

LOG OPENED by Sgt. Bradley D. Keele, Duty NCO

2

0002

Supporting information for todays journal of events.  Bn. CO (LTC William Cummings), Bn. XO (MAJ Thomas Ashley), Bn. S-3 (Maj. Richard Gaffney), Bn. S-1 (1LT Robert Miller), Bn. S-2 (Acting)(MSG Clarence Wise), Bn. S-3 Air (Maj. Richard Gaffney), Bn. S-4 (Cpt. James Rackstraw),
Points of origin for area of operations PO55 XT 5010 PO54 XT 5000 PO48 XT 6000 PO49 XT 6010, FSB Keene is located at XT 604017, C Co. NL is located at XS627979.  Objective Checkpoints for convoy from Ch Chi to Tram Lac:  CP16 XT 629126, CP10 XT 655113, CP11 XT 713072, CP D XT 727052, CP14 XT 739034, CP R XT 708015, CP A XT 682019, CP G XT 682025, CP O XT 635025, CP N XT 615017
Operations planned for today:  A Co. 1) Co. will be OPCON to 1/5 during period 15-19 Feb 69.  Co. will move by air, 2-9 ship lifts from FSB Keene to FSB Patton at 1030 hrs.  B Co. 1) (-) 9 ships will conduct Eagle Flights in AP Dip & Quick, C/A into LT 10 on order and conduct sweep to SW to 647005, be prepared to move to subsequent LZ on order, 2) B Co. will relieve Co. C at NL located at XS 629979.  Relief to be accomplished NLT 151700 hrs, 3) 2 AP's, 4) Secure MSR from FSB Keene to Tram Lac until relieved by C Co., secure road NLT 0900 hrs., C Co. 1) Co. (-) 9 ships will conduct Eagle Flights in AO Dip & Quick.  C/A into LT1 605035 O/A 1200 hr., establish a cordon around Giong Sen 1 at XT 607033.  Sweep area, be prepared to move to subsequent LZ's on order, 2) 2 AP's, 3) Secure MSR from NL to Hwy 9A until relieved by B Co.,  D Co. OPCON to 2/34 Armor.  CRIP 1) provide 2 gun jeeps for convoy security, old route, 2) Be prepared to secure Route 9A between XT 619992 and XT 627000, LA's for today operations, LZ1 605035, LZ2 596065, LZ3 600057, LZ4 618054, LZ5 642038, LZ6 626030, LZ7 628968, LZ8 645963, LZ9 637997, LZ10 660015, LZ11 655004, LZ12 645985.

3

0005

ARVN's changed call signs - effective 15-0001 hrs.: 49th Regt., Hudson Reward 47.10; 25th ARVN Div. - Swift Deals 43.75;  Bao Tri TOC - Faster Sedan 71 39.95;  Duc Hoa TOC - Faster Sedan 32 39.95

4

0015

ARVN Ballgames for today, 1 Hot Rod Sheet (1) 1. Hudson Reward 71 4210  2. 4708-5010-4415-4213-4308 (AO Trojan)  3. 150800  4. 489105  5. Intelligence  6. AMC-RIF  7. 1/49  3/49  1/10 Cav.  8.  1 Day  (2)  1. Trung Lap - Faster Sedan 39.95  2. 5698-5696-5298-5796  3. 150800  4. Mobile  5. Intelligence  6. RIF  7. 1 Plt. PF's  8. 6 Hrs.  (3)  1. Ham Nghia - Faster Sedan 39.95 2. 5024-4920-5717-5525  3. 150700  4. H S  5. VC activity  6. RIF  7. 2/49 PF's Plts. 20-21 178-773 RF Co.'s  8. 1 Day

5

0100

S/R to Bde N/C all units

6

0200

S/R to Bde N/C all units

7

0300

S/R to Bde N/C all units

8

0400

S/R to Bde N/C all units

9

0430

AO Rock 5903-5603-5799-6199 150600-151800,  AP Ann 5405-5208-535090 - 5809 150800-151800

10

0500

S/R to Bde N/C all units

11

0545

B Co. AP B closed Keene

12

0611

A Co. AP B1 & AP B2 closed

13

0645

Bde. advised that we release the AMC at 1430

14

0658

B co. AP Gulf1 (2 plt.) closed FSB

15

0705

C Co. AP B & AP Br have closed (1st Plt.)

16

0815

Ballgame passed to Bde for 16 Feb.

17

0815

Bde advised that we will have air on 17 Feb from 1000 to 1400 hrs.

18

0816

Bde advised we will have no air on 17 Feb.

19

0818

A Co. advised the crater analysis of the incoming rounds received last night indicated the following:  4800 mils, 2100-2300 meters, 5 rounds 82mm mortar

20

0832

Convoy departed Cu Chi and is at CP Y

21

0834

RF-PF forces of Duc Hoa request to work in grids 6504-650025-6101-6104 from 151200-151760 Feb 69.  Maj. Gaffney advised we cannot grant clearance today unless it is possible to use a joint operation

22

0845

B Co. 2d Plt has MSR opened & secured

23

0850

Cnvoy at CP D

24

0900

Convoy at CP R

25

0902

Message from 1/5 Mech. on secure:  Be sure that A Co. 2/14 brings their 81 mortars w/them - land at Trung Lap & transportation will be provided there

26

0907

Convoy at CP A

27

0912

Convoy at CP G

28

0915

AP sites for tonigt passed to Bde on secure as follows:  B Co. AP S1 633983  AP G1 641971  C Co. AP B 603011  AP Br 611019

29

0918

Convoy at CP O

30

0926

C Co. 1st Plt. MSR element departed NL

31

0928

Convoy closed FSB Keene

32

0940

A Co. departing to line up on PZ

33

0950

Hornet 16 on station 8 ships

34

0953

A Co. on PZ south to north staggered left

35

1010

A Co. airborne 8 ships spread loaded

36

1011

Convoy enroute to C Co. will pick up C Co. road security and drop off B Co. road security on MSR

37

1025

Convoy at CP G

38

1026

A Co. 1st lift 8 ships down green

39

1035

A Co. 2nd lift 9 ships airborne

40

1043

A Co. 2nd lift 9 ships down green

41

1044

Hornets going to Cu Chi to refuel

42

1047

B co. enroute to PZ

43

1055

C Co. now on PZ south to north stagger trail left

44

1104

Hornet C&C on station

45

1107

B Co. now prepared to PZ at FSB Keene

46

1111

CRIP Plt. advised ARVN operation between AO Dip & AO Quick has been cancelled

47

1116

Bde advised break 1 slick loose to go to FSB Reed

48

1120

Convoy closed C Co. NL

49

1127

C Co. airborne 8 chalks from NL

50

1134

C Co. down green 8 chalks LZ 1 (600042)

51

1143

B Co. airborne 8 chalks from FSB Keene

52

1147

B Co. down green 8 chalks LZ at 645997

53

1215

Col. Cummings is down with C Co. at their LZ

54

1225

C Co. at 601036 found 5 ChiCom grenades, 800 rounds of AK, 1 NVA helmet, 1 anti-tank mine 15 lbs.

55

1232

Convoy at CP O

56

1233

C Co. vic 601036 has found a 2-man bunker w/ 2 feet overhead cover - no signs of recent use

57

1240

C Co. found a 5-man bunker with possible tunnel and checking it out at this time

58

1243

Convoy closed FSB Keene

59

1300

C Co. vic 601036 found 10 VN blasting caps, clothing, 10 lbs. of propaganda, 1 mine ChiCom type, one body count less than 48 years old

60

1315

C Co. at 603035 found 2 more ChiCom grenades.  Blow in place

61

1320

C Co. advised to be ready to PZ at 1400 hrs.

62

1325

C Co. at 603035 has found 2 more 2-man bunkers with 2 feet O/H cover

63

1340

B Co. S/R & location N/C at 638962

64

1345

Convoy departed Cu Chi

65

1402

C Co. airborne from PZ 603035

66

1409

B Co. has closed their N/L

67

1412

C Co. down green 8 chalks at 581019

68

1420

C Co. vic 581019 had 1 U.S. EM trip a booby trap, will be extracted on C&C ship

69

1430

Col. Cummings & Maj. Gaffney down green at FSB Keene, air asets released at this time.  C&C ship taking WIA to 25th Med.

70

1458

C&D convoy closed C&D N/L

71

1500

Convoy closed FSB Keene

72

1503

CRIP Plt. advised they will be moving to an area vic 579982 w/Duc Hoa subsector elements in reaction to intel report that there are 7 VC in the area

73

1505

C Co. advised vic 583018 Cpt. Phelps had 1 individual run from him, checking the area at this time

74

1535

C Co. at 583018 blew 4 dud 105 rounds, 4 grenades, 2 of which were booby trapped, has secondary explosion when burning a hedgerow

75

1540

Convoy departed C-D NL

76

1545

CRIP Plt. advised they have reached their objective - observed 11 individuals trying to evade to the north, took them under fire w/ neg. results.  Advised C Co. & Sherlock 6 (579988)

77

1550

Convoy departed FSB Keene

78

1600

C Co. & Sherlock 6 closed FSB Keene

79

1637

CRIP Plt. vic 579980 advised they have received 3 to 4 bursts of AK fire from the hedgerow to their north - seems to be sniper fire

80

1645

CRIP Plt. receiving neg. fire at this time, maneuvering to check area out

81

1650

B Co. MSR security closed NL

82

1652

Convoy at CP R

83

1700

CRIP Plt. advised as they tried to pull back they are still receiving harassing fire - would like to put some arty. in this grid:  579988

84

1710

Convoy at CP Y

85

1715

Requested AO Rock for tomorrow from Bde.

86

1717

Convoy closed Cu Chi

87

1720

CRIP Plt. receiving neg. fire at this time - moving back toward their vehicles

88

1725

Message from Bde:  If Patrol Base Diamond and FSB Reed are hit at the same time w/large units, 2/14 will assume of control of FSB Reed - C&C ship will be sent to FSB Keene to assist

89

1730

CRIP Plt. advised they are receiving neg. fire at this time, they have cleared the contact area, need neg. arty at this time, counterparts are setting up an ambush in the area

90

1744

ARVN AP's for tonight 568042, 557046, 567046, 573045, 562046, 552047, 564051, 551057

91

1800

CRIP is returning to Duc Hoa.  Counterparts are staying behind to cover in case the VC come from behind

92

1802

ARVN APs from CRIP:  647027, 630012, 626000, 606944, 593953, 588981, 585985, 635026, 634027

93

1845

Ballgame passed to D Co.

94

1922

C Co. AP Br departed FSB

95

1945

C Co. AP B departed FSB

96

1956

C Co. AP Br new AP site 599022

97

1955

LP sights:  LP G 300° 200m., LP S 40° 150m., LP Gr 200° 175m., LP Sr 180° 250M.

98

2010

99

2011

C co. AP G1 received new Ballgame.  D Co. Ballgame unchanged,  A Co. (stay behinds) have their operation for tomorrow.  CRIP has their Ballgame for tomorrow

100

2015

C Co. AP Br in position

101

2030

Req. LOH for LTC Cummings to FSB Reed & hardspot Diamond any time after 0800 for 1 hour

102

2031

D Co. AP S1 departed

103

2055

D Co. advised they had a couple trip flares go off, are firing illumination to check area, will keep advised

104

2100

B Co. AP G1 in position, neg. siting under illumination

105

2100

S/R to Bde N/C all units

106

2110

C Co. AP B1 in position new location 603010

107

2112

B Co. AP S1 in position, B Co. AP G1 location is now 640971

108

2158

S/R to Bde N/C all units

109

2210

Informed by CRIP that new route or convoy will not be clear.  Informed S-4 rear

110

2215

A Co. (SSG Allain) notified to secure old route tomorrow

111

2245

AO Rock has been approved

112

2300

S/R to Bde N/C all units

113

2330

Extension to SE for operations tomorrow working initials TMB

114

2330

ARVN Ballgame (Hot Rod Sheet)  1) Cu Chi Sub sec. Faster Sedan 72  2) 6016-6715-6014-6413  3) 160800  4) Mobile  5) S-2 25th MID 3 VC living in area  6) RIF  7) CRIP 1/5 Mech. 1 Plt. PF's (#23)  8) 4 hrs.

115

2332

Intel:  POW's captured by 9th U.S. Div. 13 Feb. indicate VC have received secret orders to violate TET ceasefire.  Strong possibility exists of an upsurge of enemy attacks will occur after 2400 hrs. night of 15-16 Feb.

116

2340

AO Req. relayed to Bde. for 25th ARVN:  AO Keepout Ext. 151400 Feb - 302400 Sep 69  II Field Forces - 307930 335930 - 327897.  Initials of person rec. AO - P.F.

117

2400

S/R to Bde N/C all units

118

2400

Summary as follows:  A Co. went OPCON to 1/5 Mech. moved by air to FSB Reed.  B Co. C/A into AO Quick 8 ships, RIF'ed from LZ to C 00 NL, the remainder of C Co. moved by truck to C Co. NL.  Relieved C Co. of bunker line at that location XS 627979.  C Co. C/A into AO Dip found 7 ChiCom hand frags, 2 booby-trapped U.S. hand frags., 2 U.S. hand frags., 800 rds. AK, 1 anti-tank mine, 1 NVA helmet, 3 2-man bunkers, 1 5-man bunker, 10 VN blasting cap, clothing, 10 lbs. documents, 1 ChiCom mine, 4 dud 105, had 1 WIA from booby trap.  Remainder moved to Keene by truck.  D Co. OPCON to 2/34 Armor.  CRIP working with District forces received some AK fire, neg. casualties.  CRIP moved back, counterparts stayed in area.

119

2330

Extension to SE for operations tomorrow working initials TMB