Daily Staff Journal  24-Sep-69

ITEM

TIME

INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.

01

0001

LOG OPENED:
Supporting information for todays 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 Cpt Gary Roth (hospital)
Location:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, Night Defensive Position (NDP) XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgame:
   Co A (-) 5&4 ship lifts PZ Fire Support Base 1130, 5 ship CA LZ-1 (638198), recon to obj-1 (639195), obj-3 (631194), obj-5 (631188), obj-7 (627184), obj-8 (622182), to PZ-1 (621183).  4 ship CA LZ-2 (641196) recon to obj-2 (636182), obj-4 (632183), obj-6 (625179), obj-8 (622182), to PZ-1 (621183).  Be prepared to extract in 4 or 5 ship lifts.  1 platoon occupy Venice East, towers at Bau Dieu and Fire Support Base.  Conduct road sweep at 0645 from Fire Support Base to Trung Lap, Fire Support Base to Highway 1 on 7A.
   Co B (-) 1 platoon conduct recon to 0730 at 360-degree 4 & 5 ship lift PZ Patrol Base 1145.  After artillery prep, 5 ship lift CA LZ-3 (633207), recon to obj-A (627202), obj-C (625196), obj-D (624192) to PZ-2 (621190).  Be prepared to extract 4 & 5 ship lifts.
   Co C (-) & 2 Co 2/49 depart Night Defensive Position 0730, conduct search and destroy in area 615244, 620218, 624208, 628208, 628217, 623228.  Conduct 1 joint Ambush Patrol and 1 US Ambush Patrol
   Co D - Stand down, 1400 hours OpCon to 1/5th (Mech).
   CRIP:  1300-1500 conduct Eagle Eye operations
   Radar:  PPS-5 Patrol Base, PPS-4 Venice East
   Ing:  Mortar personnel from Bn (A,B,C) less 1 tube at each & 4.2 platoon receive training 0800-1600 hours, Fire Support Base conduct 1/8 artillery
   C Co 1/5th (Mech) depart Night Laager, sweep contact area (559172, 566167, 568174, 584153) recon to obj-A (645282), obj-B (635295), regroup with ARVN's vicinity 630300.  ARVN jump off from Night Laager 0900, recon to obj-21 (655275), to obj-22 (652282), to obj-24 (650288), to obj-25 (642297), separate - one group recon to obj-26 (636300), obj-28 (630303), obj-25 to obj-27 (641303), obj-29 (638308), join with Night Laager vicinity (6330)
   3 Co 2/49 ARVN 0730 hours depart Trung Lap, LD 595218, to obj-1 (597227), obj-2 (598235), obj-3 (598244), obj-4 (605239), obj-5 (606231), obj-6 (605221), return to Trung Lap

02

0045

Sitrep - negative

03

0145

Sitrep - negative

04

0210

Patton tower thought he detected movement 400 meters out on azimuth 335 degrees, engaged with small arms, but it didn't move

05

0245

Sitrep - negative

06

0345

Sitrep - negative

07

0430

Received Conf Msg #X-09-063C, Subject: Plans summary for 24 Sep 69

08

0445

Sitrep - negative

09

0505

Task Force Chaudrue engaged in firefight with force of undetermined size, called for Night Hawk (654262)

10

0510

Requested LFT (Light Fire Team) and flare ship; artillery hitting.  Several WIA's, requested dustoff stand-by, fire coming from NE, small arms, B-40 rockets, 5 mortar rounds.

11

0520

Night Hawk on station, artillery ceased, no longer receiving fire

12

0530

13

0535

Dustoff 153 ETA 10-15 min, Spooky 72 on station

14

0540

Spooky 72 released

15

0545

Dustoff 153 on station, 4 ARVN WIA's reported

16

0600

Dustoff complete, 3 litter & 3 ambulatory to 12th Evac

17

0610

Medic track damaged slightly, Diamond Head 10 released

18

0635

2 confirmed body count, 4 AK-47

19

0640

Night Hawk report submitted:  Little Bear 138 (0215-0255) Little Bear 196 (0400-0505), 0513-0610), Diamond Head 10 (0530-0610) Diamond Head 26 (0530-0620)

20

0640

Division G-3 requests breakdown on CP group of Task Force Chaudrue at 2 night laager sites

21

0700

Road sweeps depart

22

0712

C Co AP closed at 0650

23

0732

B Co departed on ballgame

24

0733

C Co / 2 Co departed on ballgame

25

0745

Co B, 2nd platoon departed Patrol Base on 360-degree recon

26

0800

Road clear to Trung Lap

27

0825

Road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

28

0825

Co B, 2nd platoon closed Patrol Base

29

0830

From Bde: need clearance for AS (air strike) 240830-1900 hours at 655265, 650275, 640285, 630300, 620295, 606284, 584295 (Map Isrt 3)

30

0827

From Bde: Need clearance  for 5th Div (ARVN) AS (air strike) at coord 674279, 240830-1800 hours

31

0830

AO request 250600-1800 hours south of grid 19, west of 62, to their AO boundary for 1/5th (Mech)

32

0835

Co C vicinity 619219 found 14 bunkers, logs with 1 1/2 overhead cover, hold 4-6 individuals, will destroy, negative recent activity

33

0844

Ref item 31 - AO approved

34

0849

Bde - no AMC for 25 Sep (DT)

35

0850

Passed AMC request for 27, 28 & 29 Sep (DT)

36

0900

Little Bear 278 on station to deliver personnel for training class

37

0920

AO request for 1/5th (Mech) East of 62, West of AO boundary, Sep 19th,, approved, disregard item 31

38

0925

Locations: C Co 622215; 3 Co 597227, C Co 1/5 (Mech) 613256

39

0830

From LNO; 3 Co at obj-2 (598235) found body of male, age 22, ARVN LO.  Believe he was trying to Chieu Hoi and was shot by VC.  Head wound believed to be AK.  Had LO card from Goi Moi II

40

1000

From Bde: Due to weather, VR/LOH will not report as scheduled until the weather clears

41

1016

Location:  3 Co at obj-3 (598244)

42

1103

From Co C at vicinity 628208, received 1 AK round from hedgerow, returned fire with hand grenade.  VC returned with Chicom hand grenade resulting in one individual slightly wounded.  Reported 3-4 individuals leaving area to the south.  Received fire from South.  No dustoff required.  Request LST

43

1115

Co C same location located some fighting positions 2x2 1/2x3 with recent use.  Capt Kasper would like area kept in mind for air strikes later today

44

1132

From Bde:  AMC time for today 1230-1400 hours, release 5 ships to 1/5th (Mech) at 1430, 4 ships for use until 1730

45

1140

From Lt. Wood:  3 Co vicinity 597242 found 1/8 lb. of documents in hootch of old lady, took her into custody and blew hootch.  Written by VC hamlet chief 2 days ago.  They were about future operations against US & ARVNs, to be given to VC officers.  Also people to stay put in case they be killed if chief tried to get to Trung Lap

46

1147

Centaur 53 on station for Night Defensive Position (LPT)

47

1215

Co C location vicinity 623222

48

1215

Received Conf. Msg. X-09-64C, Subject:  Visit of Col. Catas, commanding officer, 3rd Bde

49

1243

Centaur 53 (LFT) released, neg finding

50

1245

Co C vicinity location 621226 found a tunnel 10x18x4 1/2 with trap door entrance.  Old, no recent use, destroyed

51

1235

[Late Entry] Co A airborne for Fire Support Base

52

1252

Co A down at LZ1 & LZ2

53

1300

Co B airborne for Patrol Base

54

1305

Co B down at LZ 3 & 4

55

1313

Co C closed at Night Defensive Position

56

1325

From Maj. Branscome, 1st lift of 9 ships airborne of Co D from Road Bravo

57

1330

From Jump Command Post: Co C 1/5 (Mech) revert to 1/5th (Mech) effective 1300.  Location vicinity Patrol Base Hunsley

58

1326

From Lt. Wood:  3rd Co closed Trung Lap

59

1330

Co D down at 642287 (9 ship)

60

1330

Co A location 636188

61

1340

Co B location 627202

62

1342

Co C request routing dustoff (item 42), 1 US ambulatory, head and face wounds, PO 152, ETA 15-20 mins

63

1345

Co A location 631188

64

1356

Co A vicinity 629185 found a round 155mm, negative booby-trap, no lot number, will blow

65

1404

Co B location 625196, 629195

66

1432

Co A location obj-6 (625179)

67

1433

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap

68

1445

CRIP down green at 1475 (617217)

69

1452

Sorties for D Co passed

70

1456

Co A location obj-8 (622182)

71

1458

Co B location obj-D (624192)

72

1505

CRIP airborne from 617217

73

1507

CRIP down at 602203

74

1518

CRIP airborne at 602203

75

1530

CRIP down at 612187

76

1532

From Maj. Branscome, as of 1500 hours 62 blade hours consumed

77

1538

Co B location 625194 found 155mm round, not booby-trapped

78

1554

CRIP - two more male detainees at 612187, one eligible male, one old man who tried to cover for younger one.  Ages 45 & 20.  Hiding in bunker under an abandoned hootch.  Will destroy hootch and bunker

79

1555

AO request 1st Div troop support 6131, 1000 meters along west bank of river to 4751, 241800-250600 hours

80

1622

CRIP airborne at 612187

81

1623

Locations:  Co A 621183, Co B 621193, 3rd Co 298235

82

1624

CRIP down at Trung Lap

83

1629

Co B airborne from 621190, down at Patrol Base 1634 (4 ships)

84

1636

Co D location 645285

85

1640

Co B airborne from 621190 down at Patrol Base 1646 (4 ships)

86

1652

Menehune 5 on station for TF

87

1650

Co A airborne at 621183 (4 ships), down at Fire Support Base 1654 hours

88

1659

Co A airborne at 621183 (4 ships), down at 1702

89

1700

Jump CP 1 & 3 Co 1/10 Cav and 1 Co 2/49th, 2 platoons Co D at Night Laager 632283, Co D (-) and 2 Co 1/10 Cav at 613282

90

1705

AO request 2/49 250600-1800 hours; 600213, 617187, 600170, 586180, 586198.  Ballgame:  3 Co 2/49 depart Trung Lap 0800 to LD 597204 obj-21 (602200), obj-22 (601194), obj-23 (609190), obj-24 (599182), obj-25 (590186), return to Trung Lap

91

1708

From Bde:  Free fire zone for 25th Aviation 6523-6521-6721-6723 until 1900 hours (Approve)

92

1709

From Task Force Chaudrue:  D Co 3rd platoon from CP Laura R 4.5 U 1.2 (645282) found 2 bunkers 6x6 with 1 1/5 overhead cover, one bunker with hootch 6x3 with 1/2 overhead cover, recent use, warm fire nearby.  NVA ponchos in good condition.  Bunker with 6 RPG, 18 canteens, 2 NVA helmets, 8 RPG boosters, 300-400 AK rounds, pots, bowls, chopsticks vicinity 645287, also warm fire

93

1712

AMC released

94

1750

C Co 1/5 (Mech) Night Laager at 609240 will be OpCon (under the Operational Control of) 2/14th Inf from 241900-250700 hours

95

1801

Task Force Chaudrue all elements at Night Laager

96

1815

Request AO extension DT-6 250600 to 251200 hours East of 57, Approved W.H.

97

1822

Centaur 51 on station

98

1847

Centaur 51 spot report:  Cat 12, tunnel entrance, fresh activity, 618240, recent use 6-8 hours

99

1927

AO request for C/2/49, west of 64, South of 26

100

1935

C Co 1/5 (Mech) reported on station OpCon to 2/14th, Night Laager 614247, AP 622257

101

2040

AP for 2/49 ARVN's 595218, 590206, 598209, 587215, 582200, 590200, 598200

102

2015

[Late Report] CRIP ballgame for 25 Sep 69:  Rifle Range 1400-1630 VCI at 594206

103

2030

Received unclassified message #09-034 Subject: SOP for Mortar Platoon Personnel

104

2035

Hunsley radar 595252 10 individuals moving NW

105

2015

[Late Report] Logistical air lifts for 25 Sep 69: 0630 1 GS slick to Night Defensive Position for breakfast;  0630 1 GS slick to D Co for breakfast;  0730 1 GS slick from Night Defensive Position to Patton;  0740 1 GS slick from Patrol Base to Patton;  1100 2 Chinooks, 1 to Night Defensive Position, 1 to Patrol Base;  1530 2 Chinooks, 1 to Night Defensive Position, 1 to Patrol Base;  1600 4 slicks to D Co;  1620 1 Chinook to CO tower;  1630 1 GS slick from Patton to Patrol Base;  1640 1 GS slick from Patton to Night Defensive Perimeter

106

2050

Centaur 26 on station

107

2105

Co C AP-1 in position

108

2035

[Late Entry] Hunsley radar 595252 10 individuals moving NW.  2038 hours same group 595253 moving NW, fired 30 105mm High Explosive rounds between 2045-2130.  Pickups at 595254, 594251, 594255, 594251, 594250, 593246, 594250, 593246, 594251.  Fired 30 105mm High Explosive at 2-3 individuals

109

2100

2/12th requests AO extension 260600-261800 hours 5828 to 5823 West to boundary, approved by Battalion Commander RJM

110

2157

Bau Dieu tower spotted 3 individuals crossing 7A 650 meters azimuth 0600 mils grid 573177, engaged with M-60

111

2230

Hunsley radar 584244 2-3 individuals moving East, fired 18 105mm High Explosive rounds from Devin

112

2335

Hunsley tower visual contact 585273 15 individuals moving North, fired 42 105mm High Explosive rounds.  Radar 592276 5-6 individuals moving SW, fired 48 105mm High Explosive rounds

113

2340

Task Force Chaudrue spotted 5 individuals with weapons and helmets 200-300 meters from Night Laager on 290 degree azimuth, engaged with 50 cal., M-79, artillery, negative return fire

114

2340

AP-1 spotted 20-25 personnel moving W 750 meters from their position.  Employing 81mm and artillery

115

2400

Summary:
Task Force Chaudrue at Night Laager site was probed by an enemy force of unknown size just before dawn.  Enemy fired 5 mortar rounds, 2 RPGs, and small arms inflicting 2 US & 4 ARVN WIA's.  Task Force engaged with 50 cal. machine gun, small arms, mortars, artillery and gunships.  WIA's were dusted off.  Area was swept by Task Force at first light - 2 body count, 4 AK-47 rifles were found.  Medic track slightly injured.  Co A & Co B conducted heliborne combat assaults in the vicinity of Bau Tran-Bao Cap.  Co B found and destroyed one 155mm dud, possibly booby-trap.  Co C conducted combined recon operation with 2 Co 2/49 ARVN out of Night Defensive Perimeter, made contact with 3-4 VC, received 1 AK round, 1 HF, VC fled to south.  1 US WIA, 1 fighting position and tunnel destroyed.  3 Co 2/49 conducted a RIF out of Trung Lap and found 1 body of VC believed killed by his comrades.  Searched hootch and found documents and detained woman.  P.F. from Trung Lap turned himself in as VC - stated body found earlier was his brother.  Task Force Chaudrue found bunkers, 6 RPG rounds and 5 boosters, 300-400 AK rounds, 2 helmets and misc. gear.  CRIP conducted VCI and Eagle Eye operations, netted 2 detainees.  Radar had numerous pickups, especially around Hunsley.  Engaged with artillery.  Task Force Chaudrue spotted and engaged 5 individuals near Night Laager site.  C Co AP-1 spotted 20-25 individuals moving west vicinity Xom Moi, called in artillery, mortars and gunships.  Element appeared to be a supply convoy carrying rice.