Daily Staff Journal  25-Sep-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, 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 (-) one platoon depart Fire Support Base 0730 for obj-1 (578193), obj-2 (572199), obj-3 (572206), obj-4 (577206), obj-5 (585197), return to Fire Support Base.  1300 hours one platoon depart Fire Support Base, recon to obj-5 (585197), obj-6 (593191), obj-7 (603143), obj-8 (596196), obj-5 (585197).  One platoon Venice East, Bau Dieu & Patton tower, road sweep from Patton to Highway 1 and Patton to Trung Lap.
   Co B (-) 0900 depart Patrol Base Hunsley, recon to obj-A (584269), obj-B (583274), obj-C (575277), one platoon recon to obj-D (574273) to obj-F (575266), rejoin Co (-) at obj-H (579264), obj-I (588266), return to Patrol Base.  One platoon at obj-C (575277) recon East side of stream to obj-E (578272), obj-G (578266) and join Co (-) at obj-H (579264), obj-I (588226) and return to Hunsley.  One platoon 1500 conduct 360-degree RIF 500 meters around Hunsley.
   Co C (-) one platoon Co C & one platoon 2 Co 2/49 ARVN 0800 depart Night Defensive Position under Co C control, recon to obj-J (624226), obj-K (630234), obj-L (637238), obj-M (641239), obj-N (645232), obj-O (633227), obj-J (624226), return to Night Defensive Position.  Conduct one joint AP and 1 all US AP.
   Co D depart Night Laager (633283) 0800, recon to obj-31 (623294), obj-32 (627304), obj-33 (639308), obj-34 (644304), obj-35 (647301), obj-36 (633298) to Night Laager site (633283).
   1/10 ARVN Cav & 1st Co 2/49 ARVN depart Night Laager (633283) 0800, recon to obj-R (658272), obj-S (659276), obj-T (660285), obj-U (653281), obj-V (650288), return to Night Laager site (633283).
   2 Co 2/49 ARVN (-) one platoon and one platoon Co C depart Night Defensive Position 0800 under ARVN control, recon to obj-10 (623228) to obj-11 (624233), obj-12 (630242), obj-13 (635251), obj-14 (625255), obj-15 (620250), obj-16 (618240), return to Night Defensive Position.  Conduct joint AP with Co C.
   3 Co 2/49 ARVN (-) 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.
   CRIP:  Rifle range 1400-1630, VCI at 594206.
   4.2 (-) FSB Patton, 1 tube Hunsley, 1 tube Trung Lap
   Radar:  PPS-5 PB Hunsley, PPS-4 Venice East
   Training:  Co A (0800-1000, 1400-1600) Combat Formations & Ambush Techniques.  Co B & Co C (1500-1600) Combat Formations.  4.2 & 81 Mortar platoons (0800-1600) Combined mortar training.  Radar (1400-1600) Radar search and monitor techniques.

02

0013

Diamond Head 10 LFT on station  working out on targets spotted by AP-1 for A Co

03

0030

Centaur 26 Night Hawk on station

04

0045

Little Bear 161 on station as C&C

05

0050

Diamond Head 10 departed station

06

0055

SLAR sighting 605179, fired 6 4.2 High Explosive rounds

07

0100

Centaur 26 departed station

08

0105

Diamond Head 51 LFT on station

09

0110

Hunsley radar 608261 2-3 individuals moving East, fired 3 105mm High Explosive rounds

10

0145

Little Bear 161 off station

11

0150

AP-1 popped ambush on 10 individuals 400 meters at 250 degrees azimuth, 3 rounds returned, engaged with artillery and 81mm

12

0200

13

0205

Little Bear 161 diverted for resupply and to act as C&C

14

0130

[Late Report] Diamond Head 51 LFT departed station & standing by at Cu Chi

15

0305

AP-1 spot report:  26-30 individuals crossed in front of the AP twice.  3 point elements of 2 men each.  Swept area, found no bodies, 6 bags of rice, 1 POW who escaped at 242225.

16

0315

Sent unclassified message, Subject: Training of ARVN/RF/PF at Trung Lap.  Rec QSL 0351 hours

17

0315

Received Conf Msg #X-09-065C Subject: AO Cleaver

18

0325

Centaur 26 departed station

19

0345

Sitrep - negative

20

0445

Sitrep - negative

21

0545

Sitrep - negative

22

0710

Co A road sweep team departed

23

0735

From LNO, AO request 590250, 610245, 610218, 590218,  From B6 B Co depart 0800 recon obj-1 (599228), obj-2 (599236), obj-3 (599244), obj-4 (605240), obj-5 (606233), obj-6 (604221), approved by S3

24

0746

2 platoons Co A depart for ballgame

25

0803

AO 1 HR & 1 GR effective 251800-271800 for our use and 1/10 Cav, from Bde.

26

0803

Road to Trung Lap open, A at obj-1 (578193)

27

0813

Co A 2nd platoon at obj-2 (572199)

28

0811

From Bde:  AMC for 26 Sep 0900-1030, 1700-1800

29

0835

Co C vicinity 609214 found dead male (head/neck wounds) possibly shot last night by choppers.

30

0841

Co A obj-3 (572206), road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1 on 7A

31

0847

1st platoon Co C departed on ballgame with 2 Co ARVN

32

0850

From Jump CP, depart on B6 0810, 1 Co 1/10 Cav and 1 Co 2/49 ARVN location 658272, 2 Co 1/10 Cav and Co D 2/14th location 623294

33

0853

Co D vicinity 623294 found shallow tunnel complex 3x2x4 with side tunnels 2x1x1, recent trail activity in vicinity.  Checking area, also found bunker 6x6x4n negative recent use, no explosives to destroy it with

34

0910

Co C 2nd platoon returned to Night Defensive Position after sweep of contact area, negative findings

35

0910

2nd Co at obj-10 (623228)

36

0915

Co A at obj-5 (585197)

37

0918

Co A closed FSB

38

0920

Co C & B departing ballgame

q

0941

Locations:  3 Co obj-1 (599228), 2 Co obj-11 (623234), Bo B obj-A (584269), 1 Co obj-J (621226)

40

0955

Co C request doctor at Night Defensive Position 25 or 26 to check several men

41

1000

C Bo location obj-B (583274)

42

1007

AMC for 26 Sep (item 27) 1030-1300, 1330-1530 split with 1/5 (Mech)

43

1010

Co C, reference female in item 29, name Bui Thi Giong, shot in head/side leg with minigun (aircraft)

44

1016

Jump CP:  1st company hit booby-trap hand grenade, urgent litter, request dustoff ARVN at 656276.  Co D possible 2 VC in tunnel at 635304, request LST.  Also one ARVN KIA same booby-trap.

45

1024

From Bde:  AMC for 27 Sep 0730-0900 1300-1400

46

1025

Little Bear 757 on station to run shuttle for class

47

1027

From Bde:  Wants re-evaluation of LOH request and and most priority resubmitted.  2 LOH available for four requests.

48

1031

Co B location 575277 found 1 round 155mm dud, negative booby-trap, neg. lot number, will destroy

49

1035

To LNO, negative air for tonight request

50

1045

Jump CP:  Dustoff completed, hit 2 hand grenade booby-traps, 2 litter, 2 ambulatory, 1 KIA, all ARVN, going to 12th Evac

51

1048

Co C location vicinity 632284, found 5 individual tracks, Ho Chi Minh sandals, moving north, possible this morning

52

1056

Locations:  Co C 632234, 2 Co 629239, Co B 575277, 3 Co 599236

53

1058

Jump CP:  Diamond Head 36 Light Fire Team on station for Co D

54

1100

Co B location 574273

55

1121

Co B location obj-E (578272), obj-F (575266), Co C (644233)

56

1124

Menehune 2 on station for Psyops

57

1145

Locations:  Co B (579264), Co C (611222), 3 Co (599236), 2 Co (629247)

58

1207

From Issue 27, vicinity 659276, air strikes destroyed 3 bunkers, 2 bunkers damaged, 2 KIA (body count).  More bunkers/VC in area

59

1235

Co B vicinity obj-I 588266

60

1240

Co B at obj-I blowing two bunkers

61

1245

Issue 26:  Bomb damage vicinity 658275, destroyed 6 bunkers, 1 tunnel complex, 2 killed by air strikes, 1 secondary explosion (red fire ball)

62

1251

Co B closed Hunsley

63

1256

Jump CP:  Co D vicinity 638305, 1/10 (-) and 1 Co 2/49 still holding, will be moving shortly to sweep AS area 658275 and 659276

64

1306

On2 platoon Co A departed on ballgame

65

1320

Co C closed Night Defensive Position

66

1323

1/5th (Mech) AO extension, North of 15, west of 63, East of 60, 260700-261800 hours

67

1343

2 Co 2/49 closed at Night Defensive Position

68

1327

AO request on 3/4 Cav, south of 295, East of 55, West of 58, 260700-261800 hours

69

1335

2/12th AO extension north of 26, east of 55, 260700-261800 hours

70

1337

From Bde:  Free fire zone request until 1800 - 6422, 6420, 6620, 6622, approved

71

1344

AO request (item 66) approved

72

1355

Locations:  Co A obj-8 (596196), Co D (643304) checking tunnels, recent use, 1/10 Cav and D Co (638302), 2 Co 1/10 Cav with 1 Co 2/49 sweeping contact area (658275), 3 Co 2/49 (599236) looking for source who went down tunnel and must have left through another entrance

73

1425

Co A closed FSB

74

1435

CRIP departing on ballgame

75

1506

Co B depart on ballgame

76

1510

Jump CP,  locations:  1 Co 2/49, 1 Co 1/10 Cav 650282, 2 Co 1/10 625312, Co D 625312, 1 Co 1/10 found after sweep of contact area, 11 bodies killed by air strikes and 2000 lbs rice

77

1510

Jump CP requested routine dustoff 2 ARVN, 1 litter, 1 ambulatory at 635302, 1/10 Cav, threw hand grenades into spider hole and was hit by stray shrapnel, D074

78

1515

Co C AP's for tonight, AP1 (625227) US AP2 (605238), 9 US, 6 ARVN (US control)

79

1521

Jump CP:  new frequency for Vacant Lobby 39.85

80

1530

PB Hunsley, General Henderson visited Patrol Base from 1400-1430, was upset due to time lapse before artillery was employed on spotting individual.  Also concerned about not putting out AP's or LP's from the Patrol Base, thinks base bunkers can be manned to put out LP's and AP's

81

1555

LNO:  3 Co closed Trung Lap minus source

82

1625

CRIP closed at Trung Lap

83

1640

Jump CP:  1 Co 1/10 and 1 Co 2/49 closing at this time, D Co 1st platoon depart on 360-degree security recon

84

1712

Diamond Head on station to shuttle personnel to respective stations

85

1720

Co B AP site 589269, depart 1930 to holding area from which they will observe AP site until dark.  AP will be there till approx. 2400 hours;  if no movement is spotted by the AP, will be called back to Patrol Base

86

1742

1st Div AO request 251800 to 260600 hours 6131 1000 meters north side of river to 4751 approved

87

1750

C Co AP2 departed Night Defensive Position

88

1756

Menehune 2 LOH on station for VR (Visual Recon)

89

1810

C Co AP1 departed Night Defensive Position

90

1816

Cenatur 44 LST on station

91

1835

3 Co 2/49 ARVN ballgame LD (597204) 0800.  Recon to obj-21 (602200), obj-22 (601194), obj-23 (609190), obj-24 (612199), obj-25 (600208), return to Trung Lap

92

1835

From LNO:  2/49 AO request for 260600-261800 bounded by 600214, 617186, 600170, 586180, 585198

93

1841

1st platoon D Co closed Night Laager site.  All elements closed Night Laager

94

1920

Centaur 44 leaving station

95

1930

Ref:  Radar sightings:  Bde will be informed of both of time of initial pickup and also time of 1st engagement and by what type of ordnance

96

1915

[Late Report]  Task Force Chaudrue AP1 kickoff to 634287

97

2006

C Co AP2 touchdown 607238, D Co (TF) AP1 touchdown 634287

98

2014

C Co AP1 in position, B Co AP "Go" in position at 2020 hours

99

2000

[Late Report] 2 Hoi Chanhs who rallied to 2/27th in the Angel's Wing area grid 623297, report 90-120 men of the 3rd battalion, 268th Regiment

100

2024

Night Defensive Position tower spotted 4 individuals at 180 degrees, 825 meters, moving West to East then stopped.  Engaged with 81mm at 2034, 1 white phosphorous and one high explosive round.  End of mission

101

2103

C Co AP2 popped 1 claymore on 2 VC 010 azimuth 75 meters, 2 confirmed body count, 010 degrees 100 meters moving East to West 2-4 individuals, engaged with small arms, negative return fire, illumination over area from 4.2mm at Trung Lap

102

2120

Hunsley radar 582266 5-6 individuals moving NW, passed to artillery at 2121 hours.  Negative artillery clearance, too close to ambush patrol

103

2135

LFT request by S-3, approved by Bde and on the way.  Little Bear 153 Night Hawk on station, Diamond Head 10 LFT on station 2145

104

2155

AP2 moving to alternate position

105

2205

Little Bear 153 depart station, diverted to Cu Chi

106

2155

[Late Report] Task Force Chaudrue ballgame for 26 Sep 69:  Depart Night Defensive Position at 0900 hours.  1 Troop 1/10 ARVN Cav, 1 Co 2/49 lead and find dryest route, 2 Troop 1/10 Cav and D Co 2/14 break Night Defensive Position and link up and recon to obj-41 (613256), obj-42 (611251), obj-43 (605249), obj-44 (600245), obj-45 (600252), establish Night Defensive Perimeter vicinity 1000 meters north of Patrol Base Hunsley

107

2210

C Co AP2 in new location 607235

108

2217

Diamond Head 764 flare ship released

109

2222

Diamond Head 10 LFT released

110

2245

Trung Lap tower spotted 4 individuals moving into hedgerow at 604215, fired first 4.2 round at 2253 hours

111

2253

Radar Hunsley 553272, 10-15 individuals moving NW, fired 40 105mm high explosive rounds at 2259 hours

112

2305

Radar Hunsley 553271, 708 individuals moving NW, fired 60 105mm high explosive rounds at 2308

113

2316

Bau Dieu Tower receiving automatic weapons and 3 RPG's from south at 100 meters.  Request LFT and C&C ship and flare ship.  Artillery unable to fire - Cu Chi District would not approve fire in no fire zone.  Co A on 15 minute standby

114

2320

Little Bear 070 Night Hawk on station

115

2325

Little Bear 161 C&C ship on station

116

2335

Diamond Head 10 LFT on station

117

2340

Shadow 76 on station

118

2350

Hostile fire ceased.  2 ARVN outposts had also received fire.

119

Summary:  Continuation of action 24 Sep 69.  C Co AP1 spotted 25-30 individuals moving across rice paddy below Night Defensive Position and called in gunships and artillery.  After supporting fire was lifted, 10 individuals began moving again and Ambush Patrol 1 sprang an ambush on them.  Found 6 bags of rice, captured one POW who escaped from ARVN control.  AP1 closed back into Night Defensive Position.  Sweep at 1st light disclosed one body.  Co's A, B, &C conducted RIF's out of their respective bases.  Co B found 1 155mm dud round.  Task Force Chaudrue found a small tunnel complex.  Troopers of 1st Troop 1/10 ARVN Cav hit a booby-trapped grenade, 1 KIA, 4 WIA litters dusted off.  Brought in air strikes vicinity 659276, 2 body count credited to air strikes, bunkers destroyed, 1 secondary explosion, swept contact area and found 11 bodies killed by air strikes.  C Co AP1 ambushed a VC element north of Night Defensive Position, results undetermined.  Hunsley had 3 radar sightings, artillery engaged them.  Bau Dieu outpost was fired upon by enemy force of undetermined size in Bau Dieu Village.  Two other ARVN outposts in the vicinity were hit at the same time.  Supporting fire not approved by ARVN channels.