Daily Staff Journal 13-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, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Barone, S2 Cpt Joseph Murphy, S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 Lt Andrew Moyer Location: FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214. Ballgames: A Co (-) 9 ship lift PB Dong Tien 0955. After artillery prep C/A LZ-2 (634218), search area 635218-638218-637221. 1500 hours recon to obj-A (626225) into patrol base. Conduct one joint US/ARVN NCP and one US NCP vicinity of patrol base. B Co (-) depart FSB Patton 0800 hours, recon to obj-1 (586188) to 592184, search area (592184-594185-596184-595181), 1500 hours recon to obj-1, return to FSB. Conduct two NCPs vicinity FSB C Co (-) 9 ship lift FSB Patton 1030 hours. After artillery prep C/Z LZ-3 (609190), search area (608192-605190-608188), 1500 hours recon to obj-2 (594191), return to FSB. One platoon occupy Venice East, towers at Bau Dieu and FSB. Conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 0645 hours D Co (-) 9 ship lift PB Hunsley 0930 hours, after artillery prep C/A LZ-1 (573276), search area (573274-577274-575278), 1500 hours recon to obj-3 (585270), return to PB. Conduct one platoon-size NCP vicinity PB CRIP Eagle Eye operations 1030-1230 hours Radar PPS-5 PB Hunsley, PPS-4 PB Dong Tien and Venice East 4.2 Platoon (-) FSB, one tube PB Hunsley, one tube Trung Lap 1 Co 2/49th ARVN (-) 9 ship lift PB Dong Tien 1010 hours. C/A LZ-2 (634218), search area (635218-638218-638215-635215), 1500 hours recon to obj-B (624220), return to PB. Conduct one joint US/ARVN NCP 2/10 ARVN Cav and 3 Co 2/49th ARVN depart Trung Lap 0730 hours on recon mission to obj-21 (600230), obj-22 (600240), obj-23 (602249), obj-24 (614249), obj-25 (618239), obj-26 (611231), return to Trung Lap 495 RF and 1 Co 4/49th ARVN depart 0730 hours, recon in AO (585218-601196-595189-575210)
02	0055	Little Bear 757 on station to pick up radar man going to Long Binh for parts and return him. Off station 0106
03	0105	Radar Hunsley 599275 picked up 3-4 individuals moving southeast. Fired 1 105mm white phosphorous, too near AP to use high explosive
04	0155	Little Bear 757 on station to deliver radar man. Off station 0202
05	0305	Sitrep - negative
06	0510	Hawk 03 Nighthawk on station
07	0515	Power turned off on perimeter electric fence
08	0605	Nighthawk released
09	0615	Rec. Conf. Msg #X-10-28, subject: Increased Alert Status for 25th Inf Div (came in yesterday afternoon, all units notified last night). #X-10-028C, subject: Plans Summary for 13 Oct
10	0705	Stinger 91 on station to pick up Col. Crutchley
11	0640	D Co CP-Charlie closed Hunsley
12	0648	B Co CP-India closed night laager
13	0740	2nd Troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th kicked off ballgame
14	0740	A Co CPs US (623229), combined (607218)
15	0745	Sniff Box: Target A 6126-6426-6429-6129. Negative DTG at this time
16	0755	C Co departed (road sweeps) at 0650
17	0821	B Co kicked off ballgame
18	0823	Concerning batteries being sent to Cu Chi from Hunsley
19	0835	B Co located at obj-1 (586188)
20	0835	C Co road sweeps complete, road clear from Highway 1 to Trung Lap
21	0855	B Co at obj-2 (592184)
22	0858	1st Co 4/49th & 495 RF kicked off ballgame
23	0910	Menehune 1 on station for Psyops
24	0912	Hornet 6 C&C on station ETA 15
25	0950	2nd troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th located at obj-23 (602299)
26	0950	D Co airborne from Hunsley at 0950 hours, down green 0956 at grid 573274
27	1000	B Co location (592184), 2nd Co & 3rd Co 2/49th (602249)
28	1000	AO Lobo given to 25th Avn. Bn. for FFZ (free fire zone) from 1000 to 1800
29	1012	A Co airborne from night laager at 1011 hours, down green at 634218 at 1014 hours
30	1018	1st Co 2/49th airborne from night laager at 1018, down green at 1020 at 634218
31	1025	C Co airborne from Patton at 1025, down green at 1028 at (609191)
32	1030	Request AO for Eagle Eye operations south of 20, east of 62
33	1050	D Co (576274) found 155mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number, 105mm possible booby-trap, negative trip wire, HF fuse. Will blow
34	1055	CRIP airborne from Trung Lap at 1055 hours, down green at Trung Lap
35	1059	2 Alpha readings, grids (618290)(614285)
36	1105	1st Co 2/49th found bunker 4x4x6 with 1 1/2 ft overhead cover, old (636218)
37	1115	Hornet 2 gunship took shrapnel from artillery round at 5624. Returning to Cu Chi to check damage. CRIP returning to Trung Lap to wait for replacement gunship
38		B Co found gook in tunnel who fired a couple of rounds. Threw a grenade in hole. Gooks came out another entrance to throw a grenade. Then B Co received sniper fire. One man wounded, urgent. Hornet will do dustoff. Also got 1 VC body count. Dustoff to 12th Evac complete 1125. (594182), one Kit Carson wounded
39	1120	Becomes effective 16 Oct 0010. Suffixes change, also frequencies: Power Zenith (68.60), 1/5th (Mech), Hostile Nectar (55.45), 3/4 Cav, Grand Jockey (65.90), Division Tropic Lightning is added as permanent call sign.
40	1132	CRIP airborne from Trung Lap at 1132, down green at 1140 (615229)
41	1132	C Co found hooch which could have been used to cook in last night at 608191, will burn and destroy, then continue
42	1141	Request clearance for air strike (602315) TOT 1 1/2 hours. Cleared
43	1143	Have 2 body count instead of 1, also 2 AK-47, and 1 RPG-2 launcher
44	1153	Request clearance for Issue to expend his own ordinance (643293). Cleared
45	1155	AMC released, blade hours report will be sent later
46	1156	Request clearance for air strike at (600313), TOT within the hour. Cleared
47	1204	Locations: D Co (576274), B Co (594182), A Co (639220), C Co (608191), 1st Co 2/49 (636218), 2 Troop Cav & 3 Co 2/49th (602249)
48	1205	B Co also found in tunnel: AK vest with 708 magazines, helmet, M-79 bandolier with medical supplies, 1 Chicom grenade, 1 RPG round, 2 boosters, wallet with papers
49	1210	Request air strike clearance for 632262, TOT within the hour. Cleared
50	1215	Clearance for air strike 645280. Cleared
51	1215	A Co (639220) found 155mm dud round, negative booby-trap or lot number. Will blow
52	1226	CRIP found 1 dead female aged 16 years old, and took about 25 females & 4 males as detainees at 615215. There are lots of bunkers in the area.
53	1230	A) Co B B) Round, new, unknown type, in packing canister; 21 cans of 3-ea. fuze, mortar type. C) vicinity 594182 D) Will keep until photographed. E) Continuing search
54	1240	A) CRIP B) Large bunker, with PSP overhead cover, concrete wall, 10x15x60, CP type. C) 615219 D) Destroyed E) Continued search
55	1250	Centaur 52 on station, depart 1330 hours
56	1302	A) Co D B) 155mm dud, negative booby-trap, negative lot number, same location 105mm, possibly booby-trap, HG fuze, negative trip wire, also hooch with ??, and tree nearby with steps cut into it, black pajamas nearby. C) 625175
57	1220	[Late Entry] A) CRIP B) 5-7 individuals evading area C) 615219 D) Request LST E) Continue search
58	1346	A Co (637218), B Co (594182), C Co (608191), D Co (625174), CRIP (615219), 1st Co 2/49th (638216), 2nd Troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th (602249)
59	1400	Round B Co had was a 75mm recoilless rocket round, fuzes were 82mm rounds
60	1410	C Co 2nd platoon (606188) found dud 105mm round, negative booby-trap or lot number. Rusty. Will blow
61	1425	C Co has destroyed 3 hooches and stack of hay so far today
62	1435	2nd Troop Cav & 3rd Co 2/49th cleared Trung Lap
63	1445	A Co 3rd platoon found spider hole 2x2x6, bunker 4x4x6, recent use by 2-3 individuals within the last 24 hours
64	1447	C Co 2nd platoon (608191) found a 5 gallon can of rice, destroyed it
65	1450	CRIP closed Trung Lap
66	1455	Yellow Jacket warning, unknown element within 1800 meters (566318), for information only this afternoon
67	1500	A Co & 1st Co 2/49th departing search area for obj-A & B
68	1502	B Co closed Patton
69	1507	Locations: C Co (599190), D Co (580274), A Co (634221), 1st Co 2/49th (639220)
70	1515	Clearance for air strike (654265). Cleared
71	1518	A Co located obj-A (626225)
72		AO request to 1/5th (Mech) 140600 to 141800 hours Oct 69. North of 21, west of 64. Approved (JS)
73	1527	D Co located obj-3 (585270)
74	1532	C Co (591188) found 155mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number. Will blow
75	1533	1st Co 2/49th located obj-B (624220)
76	1548	A Co (620225) found 155mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number, will blow
77	1600	Clearance for air strike (635262). Cleared
78	1600	C Co closed Patton
79	1605	1st Co 2/49th cleared night laager, D Co also closed Hunsley
80	1610	A Co closed night laager
81	1650	A Co has spotted 1 individual (617228), engaging him with 81mm, 38 degrees, 350 meters, 975 meters, 6122
82	1655	Menehune 3 on station for VR
83	1733	AO request for 2 Co 2/49th (580252-610252-580220-610220), approved. 495 RF & 1 Co 4/49th (580220-580180-610205-610180), approved
84	1740	Brigade requested clearance 620290-630305-582295 for sometime this evening for Misty Bronco. Clearance granted for 620290 and 630305. Negative clearance for 582295
85	1747	LNO requested meeting between Brigade commander and LTC Rice and his counterpart at Duc Lap at 0900 14 Oct 69.
86	1815	1st Inf Div troop request along river 4751 to 6530, 1000 meters, DTG 13/1800-14/0600. Approved
87	1815	A Co NCP-2 kicked off
88	1825	From LNO: NCPs out of Trung Lap: 595218, 587213, 598212, 587220, 591204, 589201, 582200, 598202, 590207
89	1835	D Co NCP-1 & A Co NCP-1 kicked off
90	1845	B Co NCP W-1 & W-2 departed
91	1926	B Co NCP W-2 in position
92	1952	B Co NCP W-1 in position
93	2005	A Co NCP-1 in position (622231), NCP-2 in position (608219)
94	2008	Chieu Hoi entered Trung Lap at 1930 hours. Name: Tran Van Com, born 1950, squad leader of local force at Trung Lap. Brought 1 AK-47. ARVNs want to use him tomorrow to search for tunnels, bunkers, etc.
95	2023	Hunsley radar 582272, picked up 2-3 individuals moving northwest, fired 18 105mm high explosive
96	2000	[Late Entry] Battalion commander's meeting at Cu Chi tomorrow 1730 hours. LOH taxi will pick up Maj. Chadrue at 1630 hours. Submitted LOH requests for tomorrow w/priority for LOH taxi to take Maj. Chadrue & Maj. Branscome to Hunsley at 0800 and return them to Patton at 0930
97	2038	AO request: 140600-141800 (5628-5728-5725-562250) Brigade commander wants 2/12th Inf to react to intelligence report in this area
98	2105	Nighthawk 02 on station
99	2106	Radar at Hunsley picked up 580264 2-3 individuals, stationary, fired 18 105mm high explosive
100	2120	Radar at Hunsley 580266 picked up 2-3 individuals moving northwest, fired 1 105mm white phosphorous round, 18 105mm high explosive rounds
101	2138	25 detainees today had good ID cards, but no work permits. IDs turned over to village chief to have permit cards made out
102	2136	[Late Entry] D Co CP-I touch down
103	2138	From CRIP: Chaplain requests transportation from Trung Lap to Hunsley by 0930, 14 Oct
104	2200	Nighthawk off station
105	2210	SLAR reading XT565270, ox cart or sampan in open, fired 30 105mm high explosive
106	2220	Contacted 2/12th Inf in reference to AO request for 14 Oct. They will exploit source tomorrow. 3 targets in their AO, 1 target vicinity Sa Th??-2 commo LNO section, supply agency
107	2240	AMC 15 Oct 1230-1600
108	2250	Venice East radar 573177 picked up 1 individual crossing the road, no fire zone
109	2300	2 Co 2n49th ARVN LD 0700 (595222) recon to obj-21 (600229), obj-22 (606236), obj-23 (605244), obj-24 (601251), obj-25 (592247), obj-26 (585242), obj-27 (588235), obj-28 (587226), return to Trung Lap. 1 Co 4/49th LD 0700 (597199), recon to obj-43 (598192), obj-44 (600185), obj-45 (609191), obj-46 (603203), return to Trung Lap. 495 RF LD 0700 (588205), obj-41 (589215), obj-42 (583213), return to Trung Lap
110	2316	Nighthawk 01 on station
111	2320	LOH confirmations for 14 Oct: 0800 taxi, 1010 taxi, 1020 taxi, 1400-1430 Psyops, 1500-1600 VR, 1630 taxi
112		Summary: Co A conducted CP into area vicinity of Bau Trang. 1 Co 2/49th ARVN C/A to south, 2 Companies searched area and reconned back to Dong Tien. Co B searched area southeast of Patton 2 kilometers, found 2 VC in a tunnel, scored 2 body count, 2 AK-47s, ammo, documents, 2 RPGs, had 2 WIAs. Co C searched the area east of Patton to 3 kilometers, destroyed hooch used by VC last night and found 1 dud 155mm round and 1 dud 105mm round with hand grenade fuze and trip wire. CRIP picked up 25 detainees without work permits, turned their ID cards over to the village chief to have necessary permits issued. Engaged 1 person evading in the morning and claimed 1 body count. Fired at 7-8 individuals evading them but lost them, found 1 bunker 10x15x60 made of concrete, with PSP overhead cover. 6 NCPs scheduled for the night, 2 form Dong Tien, 2 from Patton, 1 from Hunsley and 1 from Venice East.