Daily Staff Journal 09-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 Lt. Andrew Moyer Locations: FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, Patrol Base Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214. Ballgame: Co A (-) Security of patrol base Hunsley, improvement and maintenance, conduct HCP vicinity of patrol base Co B (-) 4 & 5 ship lift PZ Patrol Base Dong Tien 0830 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep. 5 ships C/A LZ-6 (625268), recon to obj-1 (622262), obj-3 (621254), obj-5 (617245), obj-7 (612245), obj-9 (613241), obj-10 (616237), join 4 ships and return to patrol base. 4 ships C/A LZ-7 (629268), recon to obj-2 (629260), obj-4 (626254), obj-6 (622247), obj-8 (617242), obj-10 (616237), join 5 ships and return to patrol base. Conduct one joint AP and one US AP. Co C (-) 4 & 5 ship lift PZ FSB Patton 0800 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep, 5 ships C/A LZ-4 (580247), 4 ships C/A LZ-5 (579245), search area (580248-567244-576244), PZ (566245), one platoon occupy Venice East, towers at Bau Dieu and FSB. Conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 at 0645 hours. Co D (-) 4 & 5 ship lift, PZ Patrol Base Hunsley 0730 hours, after joint US/ARVN artillery prep 5 ships C/A LZ-1 (574257), 4 ships C/A LZ-2 (575255), search area 575254, 567254-567263, PZ (566255), return to Patrol Base Hunsley. 3 Co 2/49 ARVN 9 ship lift PZ Trung Lap 0745 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep. C/A LZ-3 (581251), search area 580248, 575254, 567254, 567248. PZ (556250), return to Trung Lap. 1 Co 2/49 ARVN 9 ship lift PZ Patrol Base Dong Tien 0845 hours after joint US/ARVN artillery prep. C/A LZ-8 (637268), recon to obj-A (634256), obj-B (632253), obj-C (628242), obj-D (624233), return to patrol base. Conduct one joint Ambush Patrol. CRIP conducts Eagle Eye operations. 4.2 platoon (-) at FSB Patton Radar: PPS-5 at Patrol Base Hunsley, PPS-4 Venice East and Patrol Base Dong Tien. Training: Radar 1400-1500 hours, Search and Monitor ARVN Operations: 2 Co 2/49 LD 0800 hours (585198) recon to obj-I (589185), obj-J (600180), obj-K (609190), obj-L (601194), obj-M (604199), return to Trung Lap. 1 Co 4/49 LD (580195) 0700 hours recon to obj-E (571199), obj-F (561201), obj-G (565212), obj-H (581215), return to Trung Lap 495 RF: 0900 hours search area 595203, 591207, 585205, 590199, return to Trung Lap. AO (555220, 585220, 610197, 610176, 590176, 555200)
02	0010	C Co believes possible RPG rounds coming from hedgerow 500 meters to the east of Patton, impacting 50-100 meters outside wire.
03	0025	Venice East radar out of operation
04	0050	Sitrep - negative
05	0115	Hunsley radar XT585274 direction 5110 mils, 1200 meters, 3-4 individuals moving south, fired 18 155mm high explosive rounds, movement stopped
06	0115	Bunker line reported possible incoming outside wire. Fired counter-mortar fire and artillery to southeast and east 600 meters
07	0150	Sitrep - negative
08	0211	Patton received approximately 3 rounds impacting near perimeter of C Company, reported they came from point 500 meters out 110 degrees or 1490 mils 1 kilometer out according to Q4 radar. Called 2/12th Inf and 1/5th (Mech) to check fire. H&I programs. Rounds believed to be friendly. 4.2 CS round impacted inside perimeter. Nighthawk O/S 0213-0250 hours.
09	0236	TPS-25 radar reports XT55341887, 3-4 individuals moving west, fired 29 105mm high explosive rounds
10	0320	TPS-25 radar reports XT588195 3-4 individuals moving south, fired 81mm
11	0400	Nighthawk (Hawk 03) on station. Diverted to 3/4 Cav at 0410
12	0445	Sitrep - negative
13	0452	Nighthawk (Hawk 03) on station, departs 0505
14	0647	No C&C party to be picked up at Trung Lap for they will have VIP's visit New Life hamlet. General Tua (25th ARVN Div) will arrive Trung Lap approximately 0830
15	0647	A Co CP-Indiana closed Hunsley
16	0650	Road sweep teams departed for Trung Lap and Highway 1
17	0705	Crusader 3A (C&C ship) on station
18	0710	A Co CP's Whiskey and Charlie closed Hunsley
19	0710	Centaur 48 on station, released due to bad weather
20	0716	One Chieu Hoi entered Dong Tien, had two weapons
21	0725	Will be 30 minute delay in beginning of airmobile. Request airmobile Co for 0800 to 1000 hours or extension form Brigade
22	0733	1st Co 4/49th kicked off on ballgame
23	0742	2nd Co 2/49th kicked off on ballgame
24	0744	Road clear from Patton to Trung Lap
25	0755	Sniff Mission sometime this morning, area is 6231 to 6228 to 6528 to 6531
26	0800	Road now open from Highway 1 to Trung Lap
27	0807	B Co's CP's sites for tonight are 621219 (U.S.), 622228 (combined)
28	0835	2nd Co 2/49th (600180), 1st 4/49th (571199)
29	0835	Air strike request as LZ prep at 565231 & 568229 at 0930 plus/minus 30 minutes
30	0835	Trung Lap Artillery LNO requests clearance for artillery at 635265, Viet Cong spotted in the open. Approved for next 20 minutes (0855)
31	0850	Another 30 minute extension granted. Release time now 1030
32	0930	1st Co 4/49th (E) 571799, 2nd Co 2/49th (5) 600180
33	0933	CRIP - VCI activities 1530-1730 at XT594216 - checkpoint in coordinates with village chief
34	0935	Air strike requested for 10 October, change time to read 1000 plus/minus 30 minutes
35	0938	2nd Co 2/49th (609190)
36	1018	D Co airborne from Hunsley. D Co down green at 1029 hours, 5 ships (572257) 4 ships (573255) 2nd Co 2/49th (609190), 1st Co 4/49th (571199)
37	1030	Capt. Willingham issued warning order for 10 October. Be prepared to make insertion or extraction of the 749th Air Force Co in our area of operations. Exploiting information of Chieu Hoi
38	1032	3rd Co 2/49th airborne from Trung Lap, down green at 581251 at 1038 hours
39	1045	C Co airborne from Patton 1043 hours, down green at 1047 5 ships (574257), 4 ships (579245)
40	1055	D Co found 155mm round booby-trap with trip wire, HF fuze (574254), will blow in place
41	1100	Request AO 091000-091800 north of 27, intelligence target at grid 6623. Request adjustment of AMC times for 1000-1200
42	1103	D Co found 105mm round, negative booby-trap, Lot # 572255
43	1106	C Co located sleeping area, recent use, 1 Ho Chi Minh sandal, 1 NVA poncho, shirt (578245). In nearby tunnel found old clothes
44	1110	Brigade wants clearance for air strike at 595310 and 600318 at 091300 hours. Approved 1113.
45	1125	Request clearance for air strike 636303, Sniff mission has received fire. Approved
46	1130	3rd Co found 105mm booby-trap with trip wire (575248), not destroyed, will divert
47	1130	D Co 570225, 3rd/1st platoon 570256, 3rd Co 2/49th 575248, C Co 576245
48	1145	B Co 9 ships to be inserted 663237
49	1150	B Co up from Night Laager at 1150 hours, down green 663237 at 1200 hours
50	1200	C Co (577247) found 2 AK magazines, medical bag with syringes, needles, scissors, morphine, bottled medicines, 15 pounds rice, 2 booby-traps, 1 hand grenade on a bamboo pole waist high, 2nd booby-trap homemade, also well-concealed trap door in hootch was booby-trapped by a level device
51	1203	Centaur 49 on station
52	1218	Crusaders AMC released
53	1225	1st Co 2/49th departed night laager 10 ago, 2nd Co 2/49th closed Trung Lap, 3rd Co 2/49th (574278), D Co (569255), C Co (577247), B Co (663237) moving from LZ
54	1250	D Co found bunker 4x6x9x2 1/2 overhead cover, negative findings, was destroyed
55	1315	B Co (663239), C Co (577247), 3rd (574497), D Co (568257), 1st Co 2/49th (631238), 1st Co 4/49th (561201), 3rd Co 2/49th (573253)
56	1330	A Co found 2 rocket-propelled grenades, RPG-2, negative booby-trap or lot numbers (574249)
57	1343	B Co located (660237)
58	1350	Dustoff request for 1 US litter priority, man ill, having hard time breathing (660237)
59	1400	D Co located a bunker in a hootch, booby-trapped with trip wire in hedgerow, bunker 6x9x3 (567262)
60	1417	Menehune 3 on station
61	1420	B Co 658236
62	1422	CRIP spotted 1 individual, engaged. Unknown results. Requests LST at 589231
63	1425	Menehune 3 will perform dustoff, cancelled requested Dustoff
64	1437	AMC for 10 October changed to 0730-0930, 1430-1630
65	1440	D Co located 2 Chieu Hoi's who have given themselves up. Request IPW
66	1450	Change to alternate sign
67	1510	D Co 572263, C Co 567247, B Co 658236, 1st Co 4/49th 565212, 3rd Co 2/49th 566247, 1st Co 2/49th closed night laager
68	1511	CRIP - while returning to Trung Lap engaged 1-2 individuals with small arms and M-79. Negative results. Destroyed 3 bunkers 589231
69	1520	B Co located pressure-type mine, approximately 40 lbs, along stream, will destroy
70	1530	29 Popular Force captured 3 Viet Cong POWs from unknown unit, 1 SKS rile, 35-40 mortar rounds (60mm, 81mm, 82mm) 609216
71	1532	B Co located 40-lb Anti-tank mine, pressure type at 658236
72	1539	D Co located 2 ft detonator cord in hootch. Are burning hootch. 572263
73	1542	1st Co 4/49th (581215)
74	1555	CRIP located 2 bunkers 6x10x4 1/2 with 2 ft overhead cover, in hootch at 585228
75	1604	CRIP located bunker 6x8x4 at 587223
76	1614	AO LOBO given to 25th Aviation Bn as free fire zone until 1800 on 9 October
77	1625	A Co departed Hunsley at 1605 hours
78	1627	Menehune 3 leaving station
79	1630	Menehune 6 on station working with Chieu Hoi looking for cache
80	1635	Crusader 3A 15-20 ETA
81	1645	A Co has sighted 4 individuals at 300 meters at 595285. Turned out to be logs
82	1647	A Co 495285, B Co 657232, C Co 558243, D Co 574256, CRIP closed, 1st Co 4/49th 581215, 3rd Co 2/49th 566247
83	1653	CRIP have 35 detainees, mostly females and old males. Taking to village chief for identification. 593217
84	1712	B Co airborne from 657232, down 1715
85	1720	D Co airborne from 574256, down 1724
86	1729	C Co airborne from 558243, down 1733
87	1730	CRIP has 1 detainee
88	1736	3rd Co 2/49th airborne from 566247 at 1737, down green Trung Lap at 1739 hours
89	1740	D Co 1st platoon departed for 360-degree RIF (reconnaissance-in-force)
90	1750	74 blade hours used as of 1800 hours, AMC released
91	1804	Hornet 6 (AMC C.O.) reports his gunships have 1 NVA body count at 586184 - they received fire from NVA but received no damage
92	1813	NCP - Charlie from A Co depart
93	1818	Menehune 5 on station, depart 1823
91A		See 91 above: NVA was in vicinity of 605177, dressed in M-79 vest, helmet, green fatigues, boots, AK-47 with folding stock, camouflaged face, fired arty
94	1833	D Co 1st platoon closed
95	1901	Centaur 49 (LST) reports finding 1 fresh bunker 8x6, destroyed by hand grenade and minigun fire. Off station at 1902
96	1905	1st Inf Div troop ppt app., also 1st Div fire zone 1100 on our side of the river from 57 line to 61 line, approved
97	1915	A Co NCP's I, W and C in position
98	1915	Duffle Bag CZ1260, medium activity, sent to 2/12th Inf
99	1908	TPS-25 Radar (Trung Lap) 58762260 spotted individuals moving north, fired 18 rounds 105mm High Explosive
100	1938	B Co NCP-2 spotted 4 VC at XT622228, engaged with claymores at point blank range, point man was definitely armed, unable to determine if others were. 4 body count, VC went down and were laying right on the road. Before area could be swept, hostile fire (M-79, AK-47) was received by NCP, also red star cluster was popped and ARVN's saw movement of what appeared to be a large force. NCP withdrew to Dong Tien after calling in mortar and artillery fire. Patrol leader, all US & ARVN patrol members emphatic about 4 body count. H&I program in area scheduled for tonight. Nighthawk requested as soon as weather permits.
101	1940	NCP 32 - Charlie (D Co) in position
102	1955	NCP-2 closed wire Dong Tien at 1955
103	1958	NCP-32 Charlie possibly 50 meters north of planned position.
104	1959	From Brigade: Reference pickup of ARVN's at PZ 8415 Lam Son at 0730 on 10 October. Contact Beans 94 on Freq 33.95
105	2000	AHC confirmed 11 October 1000-1200 and 1700-1900
106	2015	B Co at Dong Tien reported 10 rounds incoming 150 meters east of perimeter. Believed to be coming form Trung Lap - negative damage
107	2042	B Co NCP-1 in position at 1945
108	2145	Effective 10/0500 Brigade call sign changes to Colic Danger - frequency 47.00
109	2200	1st Inf Div request for 1km troop spt around XT 593301 approved with condition that no ordnance be expended in close proximity to NCP-C at XT596286
110	2225	AO request for 1 Co 4/49th 0700-1600 10 October, 600197-594190-583200-591208 will search thoroughly
111	2230	New location for NCP2 - 613223
112	2325	B Co NCP-2 kick-off
113	2359	B Co NCP-2 in primary position
114	2400	Summary: Co's B, C & D conducted heliborne operations today. Co B operated in area vicinity of Ba Thien and located two mines near the Rach Son (XT658236). Co C operated in the vicinity of Bau Doi and Rang and uncovered a cache of medical supplies, rice clothing, and 2 RPG-6 rounds. Co D operated in Sa Nho area and found and destroyed a bunker, hootch, 3 booby-traps. CRIP conducted VCI activities in the vicinity of Trung Lap, turned over 35 detainees over to the village chief, destroyed 6 bunkers and engaged 3 individuals who fled when they saw unit approaching. Today was a big day for Hoi Chanhs - 2/49th - 2 Hoi Chanh, 2 weapons, D Co - 2 Hoi Chanh. Cu Chi sub sector took 3 POW's (VC), 1 SKS rifle, 35-40 mortar rounds. A Co sent out 3 platoon sized night combat patrols (NCP) from PB Hunsley. D Co sent out 1 NCP from Hunsley. B Co sent out 2 NCP's from Dong Tien. Joint US/ARVN ambush patrol ambushed 4 Viet Cong east of Dong Tien, resulting in 4 body count.
115	2400	Log Closed