Daily Staff Journal  02-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 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, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, PB Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214, PB Hunsley XT596270.

Ballgame:
   Co A (-) departs Patton at 1000 hours to recon to obj-6 (587198) to obj-7 (596203) to obj-8 (604198) to obj-9 (606203) to obj-10 (612204) to obj-11 (613194) to obj-12 (607189) to obj-13 (596197) to obj-14 (592192).  One platoon at Bau Dieu, Venice East, Patton Towers.  Road sweep Patton to Highway 1 and Patton to Trung Lap.
   Co B on stand down at Cu Chi
   Co C one platoon, one troop 1/10 Cav, 2nd Co 2/49 ARVN LD 0800 hours, (613231) recon to obj-1 (617239), to obj-2 (612246) to obj-3 (623243) to obj-4 (640253) to obj-5 (645246) and split, one element to obj-6 (634235) to obj-8 (632231) return to PB Dong Tien, one element to obj-7 (635240) to obj-9 (625235) return to Patrol Base Dong Tien and one additional ARVN AP.
   Co D (-) 0900 hours PZ from Hunsley after artillery prep (4 and 5 ship lifts).  5 ships C/A into LZ-2 (561262), recon to B (562266) to D (560270) join 4 shop lift at E (560276) to G (579272) and return to Hunsley.  4 ships C/A into LZ-2 (565262), recon to A (564265) to C (562269) join 5 ship lift at E (566276).  At 1800 hours one platoon conduct 360 degree RIF 500 meters beyond last wire
   CRIP:  1100 to 1400 hours conduct Eagle Eye operations
   4.2 (-) at FSB Patton, one tube at Hunsley, one tube Trung Lap
   Radar:  PPS-5 at Hunsley, PPS-4 at Patton, PPS-4 at Venice East
   Battalion assets:  Be prepared to make 2 extractions for 2/12th at 1000 hours
   Training:  Radar 1400-1600 hours.  Search and monitor

02

0028

Received ballgame from LNO:  1st Co 2/49 020730 LD (593220) recon to obj-1 (600221) to obj-2 (607224), to obj-3 (613219), to obj-4 (606215), return to Trung Lap.  1st Co 4/49 ARVN 020700 LD (580194) recon to obj-11 (566195), obj-12 (560200), to obj-13 (570207), to obj-14 (571200), return to Trung Lap.  3rd Co 2/49 Opcon 2/12th Inf.  Airmobile into XT550295 with C Co 2/12th

03

0045

Sitrep - negative

04

0125

Mixer 26 (Rangers) negative Sitrep

05

0119

Hunsley radar reported to D Co at 1930 hours that their batteries were going bad.  Radar sent 2 - 2 1/2 batteries to be recharged, they were not returned.  D Co having communication problems - need new batteries

06

0125

Received LOH confirmations for 2 Oct 69: 1030-1100 (Psyops), 1700-1730 (VR for 2/49), 1730-1830 (VR for S-2, ARLO, S-3 Air), 0630 (Taxi), 0645 (Taxi)

07

0150

Sitrep - negative

08

0200

We will receive word from Brigade at 0317 hours to give Hunsley an up to pop 2 star clusters and one RR flare to mark location at 0320 hours.

09

0250

Sitrep - negative

10

0350

From Bde S-3:  Contact 2/49 that heliborne CA will probably be delayed until 0900 or 0930 today due to weather conditions

11

0355

Sitrep - negative

12

0420

Mixer 26 (Ranger) Sitrep negative

13

0445

Recv Conf. Msg #10-001C Subject:  Plans Summary for 2 Oct 69

14

0445

Sitrep - negative

15

0545

Sitrep - negative

16

0615

2/49 PZ 0730, 2/12 will contact them with changes

17

0620

C Co AP-1 breakdown

18

0630

C Co AP-2 breakdown

19

0632

Menehune 6 on station

20

0635

Dustoff request for Rangers, 1 US routine, sprained ankle in fall.  Contact Mixer 26 on D Co push

21

0636

C Co AP-1 closed night laager

22

0638

Dustoff cancelled, Menehune 6 picking up the man

23

0640

C Co AP-2 closed night laager

24

0645

A Co road sweeps departed Patton for Highway 1 and Trung Lap

25

0735

Rangers spotted 8 VC while sweeping AP site (572260), now have 5 individuals at 170 azimuth from their location at 600 meters.  Request LST.  2 individuals have ruck sacks

26

0800

Lt. Colonel Rice and Lt. Plung will be visiting 2nd Brigade S-2, will be leaving Trung Lap at 0900.  Also 3rd Brigade S-2

27

0800

Centaur 44 reported on station

28

0802

Road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

29

0805

C Co APs for Oct 2, AP-1 (618214) ARVN, AP-2 (617236) US & ARVN

30

0810

A Co reports 7A open to Highway 1 and to Trung Lap

31

0812

C Co 2nd platoon departing for ballgame

32

0816

Centaur 44 released.  Confirmed 1 body count for Rangers

33

0820

AS clearance for 0900 (636300), approved

34

0825

AO request for 2/49 approved for 3 Oct 69

35

0830

Sniffer mission will LST this AM working grids 6226, 6129, 6330, 6527

36

0815

C&C on station 4 min out, 65 blade hours left.  19 hours used as of 0850 hours

37

0907

D Co airborne from Hunsley 0907

38

0908

Col. Garsi Signal Corp 2nd FF will visit Patton 1440-1550 today

39

0918

D Co down green at (561262)(565262)

40

0937

D Co located 562265

41

0940

3rd Co 2/49 (606216) 1 ARVN WIA, 1 LC DB KIA, 2 VC KIA, VC threw hand grenade from spider hole, wounding ARVN and killing LC DB.

42

0943

Unit Locations:  1st Co 2/49 (566195), 2nd Co 2/49 (612246), 3rd Co 2/49 (606216), D Co (562265)

43

0944

A Co kicked off for ballgame

44

0945

D Co requests dustoff (priority), 1 US ambulatory, hit booby-trap, fragmentation wounds. 562265

45

0958

Dustoff 153 ETA 10-15, on station 1000 hours, complete 1005 hours

46

1010

3 VIP Movie Stars will visit Patton 6 Oct 69 1600-1630 hours for handshakes and autographs.  1 male and 2 females.  Mr Vincent, 2 female stars, Gilligan's Island

47

1012

D Co found 20 lb. mine, 10" diameter, going to blow hooch and mine in place at 564264

48

1016

A Co located obj-7 (596203)

49

1025

Menehune 6 on station for Psyops

50

1030

Centaur 41:  Sniff mission complete, will pass readings on to Brigade.  Conduct vicinity 6328

51

1034

1st Co 2/49 got 3 VC this morning at 554304.  Negative weapons, will inform us of anything further

52

1037

D Co 564267 found 1 ammo can full of bandages and some web gear

53

1040

Unit Locations:  A Co (600200), D Co (569267), 3rd Co 2/49 (607224), 1st Co 2/49 (566195), 2nd Co 2/49 (559304)

54

1045

Spot Report:  A Centaur 13, B Fish net,  C 614286, D Will destroy, E continuing mission

55

1050

Sniff readings:  Follow blue form 618294 to 613283, Highway 15 from 650282 to 632298.  Sniff report 622277 Alpha readings 616285, 620293, 650267, 646262

56

1103

Rangers closed Hunsley

57

1115

Gen Henderson arrival Patton 1110

58

1117

A Co located obj-9 (606203)

59

1123

General Henderson departed Patton 1123

60

1135

Unit Locations:  C Co (625254), D Co (565274), 1st Co 4/49 (566193), 2nd Co 2/49 (630253), 3rd Co 2/49 (606216), A Co (606203)

61

1212

Co C request LST for 2nd platoon (640253), reason Flames II elements took 3 individuals under fire with 50's, want LST to check area out further

62

1226

CRIP airborne from Trung Lap, down at 610195 at 1229 hours

63

1230

From Maj. Branscome:  50 hours, 45 minutes blade hours consumed as of this time

64

1239

CRIP airborne 1239 from 610195, down green 1241 at 615195

65

1244

Unit Locations:  D Co (570277), C Co (630255), ARVNs at same location

66

1245

1/10th Cav sighted a squad of VC and fired artillery at them, possible 2 body count.  Are sweeping area at this time, request aerial observer.

67

1259

CRIP (615195) request transportation for 4 detainees to Trung Lap

68

1307

CRIP airborne 1304 from (615195), down green at 1307 (604197)

69

1317

CRIP airborne from (604197), down green at 1319 (597188)

70

1338

CRIP airborne from (597188) at 1328, down green at Trung Lap 1331

71

1333

AO Lobo given to 25th Aviation battalion for free fire zone till 1800 hours

72

1345

AMC released at 1345

73

1355

All Menehune missions delayed indefinitely till further notice

74

1420

Unit Locations:  D Co (579272), A Co (600200) (607189), 2nd Co (640253), 1st Co (606215), 1st Co 4/49 (570207), C Co (640251)

75

1425

D Co spotted 3 individuals, took them under fire (579272) 150 meters away on 240 degree azimuth, request LST

76

1520

Unit Locations:  A Co (596197), ARVNs at same location, C Co (640251), D Co (566265)

77

1525

Sniff Mission AO request target area 6326 to 6323 to 6623 to 6626, also permission to return fire.  Approved with caution to ground troops in area

78

1544

D Co (564265) well camouflaged hole, 55 gallon drum lining it, found one hammock, 1 pot rice, slingshot.  Used within 24 hours

79

1550

3rd Co 2/49 closed Trung Lap

80

1552

D Co found 8 homemade hand grenades in a ditch at 564265, will blow

81

1558

Unit Locations:  D Co (564265), ARVNs still same, C Co (634244)

82

1600

D Co (564265) found hootch, believes where 8 hand grenades and booby-traps are made

83

1618

A Co closed Patton

84

1630

AO request 2/49:  DTG 0700 to 1800 560225 to 590244 to 595220 to 585198.  Ballgame:  1 platoon 0700 hours LO (591217) to obj-1 (584244) to obj-11 (584233) to obj-21 (575230) to obj-31 (575220) to obj-41 (582212), return to Trung Lap.  1st Co 2/49 involved in ballgame

85

1653

AO request passed to 2/12th:  DTG 030700 to 031800 555220 to 5623 and all south of 23 to AO boundary.  It's an extension to AO Cherry.  Passed to 2/12 1653

86

1655

D Co located 582264

87

1708

1st Co 4/49 closed Trung Lap

88

1715

C Co 2nd platoon, 1st Troop 1/10, 2nd Co 2/49 closed night laager

89

1717

Menehune will be here for Visual Recon at 1730

90

1720

D Co closed Hunsley

91

1750

Menehune 2 on station

92

1800

D Co 2nd platoon departed for 360-degree RIF

93

1806

Mixer 26 (Rangers) have departed

94

1812

Ref Item 85:  AO Cherry extension approved C.Q.

95

1847

D Co 2nd platoon returned to Hunsley

96

1848

C Co AP 1 & 2 departed Patrol Base Dong Tien

97

1854

Changed Co A obj-E, 3 Oct ballgame to 5819, 1 Co 2/49 ballgame for 3 Oct 69, passed to Brigade

98

1915

Venice East spotted 2 individuals azimuth 55 degrees, 900 meters, stationary, have been there for 25 minutes, will fire warning shots to get them to move out

99

1900

Received Conf. Msg. X-10-002C, Subject: Photography of Soviet crates used in arms shipments to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces

100

1915

TPS-25 Radar 618209, 10 individuals moving north, fired 60 105mm high explosive rounds

101

1920

C Co AP-2 in position

102

1930

Reference item 98:  2 individuals in free fire zone past curfew, putting 81mm mortar fire at grid XT588186

103

1945

2/49 and 4/49 APs:  595220, 586215, 598212, 590209, 586206, 586209, 590201, 598202, 588203

104

1947

C Co AP-2 in position

105

1948

From LNO:  AO for D Co ballgame for 3 Oct approved by 49th Regiment (Sgt Green)

106

1955

Hawk 01 on station

107

2015

AO request for 2/12 DTG 040800 to 041800, 561289 to 574290 to 560260 to 574260

108

2002

Radar TPS-25 XT595236 3-4 individuals moving north, fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds

109

2010

AP-2 spotted 2-3 individuals 400 meters to their west (613236), engaged with 6 81mm high explosive rounds, on target

110

2022

Mixer 26 (Rangers) in position, sitrep negative

111

2030

ARVN AP at XT590200, accidentally detonated claymore while putting them out.  Dustoff requested through ARVN channels

112

2033

Venice East radar 577176, 2-3 individuals with light, no fire zone, will keep under observation

113

2042

Patton radar inoperative

114

2052

TPS-25 radar XT579239, 4-5 individuals moving NW, fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds

115

2125

From LNO, ballgame:  1 Co 4/49 ARVN depart Trung Lap 0800 LD 582198, recon to obj-A (575209) to obj-B (565215) to obj-C (553214) split 1 element to obj-D (562207), other element to obj-E (559202) link up at obj-F (570200) and return to Trung Lap.  3 Co 2/49 stand down.  HHC - Admin 495 village security

116

2135

Mixer 26 (Rangers) AP reports 150 meters east of original position (vic 578267)

117

2242

From Bde:  AMC for 4 Oct 69 100 to 1530 hours and 1730 to 1830 hours

118

2335

At 2130 hours Hunsley radar picked up 3-4 individuals moving north at XT582261, fired 6 105mm high explosive rounds, check fire called by Mixer 26 (Rangers), rounds falling too close.  No casualties.  No communications with Rangers at this time.

119

2350

Mixer 26 (Rangers) notified Hunsley that this present location is 580265.

Summary:  Ranger team dusted off 1 member with sprained ankle.  While sweeping AP area they spotted 8 VC, got 1 body count confirmed.  A Co swept area east of Patton and south of Highway 7A, searched villages and distributed leaflets and other propaganda material.  B Co was on stand down in Cu Chi.  C Co took part in ARVN controlled operation northeast of Patrol Base Dong Tien with 1 Troop 1/10 ARVN Cav and 2 Co 2/49 ARVN Regiment.  Had two sightings of VC, engaged with small arms and artillery, 2 body count.  D Co conducted heliborne operation out of Patrol Base Hunsley in the vicinity of Sa Nho, one man was dusted off WIA after hitting a booby-trap hand grenade, found and destroyed one 20 lb. anti-tank mine, 8 homemade hand grenades, found pot of rice and miscellaneous gear.  CRIP conducted Eagle Eye operations, too four detainees.  3 Co 2/49 ARVNs conducted operations from southwest from Trung Lap, made contact with small VC element, 2 body count, suffered 1 WIA and 1 KIA.  1st Company 2/49 conducted operations in AO Cherry, 3 VC body count.  General Henderson, Deputy commanding general of II Field Force visited Patton this afternoon.  Venice East spotted 2 suspicious individuals east of their location just before curfew, engaged with M-16 and 81mm mortars when they had not departed after curfew.  TPS-25 radar at Trung Lap had 3 sightings of 2 groups moving north, engaged with artillery.  C Co AP-2 spotted a group moving to their west and brought mortar fire in on the target.  Venice East had 1 pickup, but it was in a no-fire zone.  Rangers conducted an AP out of Hunsley.