Daily Staff Journal  14-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 2Lt Andrew Moyer
Location:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, PB Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) 1 platoon and 1 platoon 1 Co 2/49th depart PB Dong Tien 1000 hours, move with mine detectors and prods, search area A (628233-631234-632232-630231) and area B (630231-629230-633228-634229), search along stream line with mine detectors to obj-A (633219), obj-B (627221), to stay behind NCP with sniper between B & C (623227), return to patrol base 1700 hours.
   B Co (-) depart FSB Patton 0900 to 586199, search stream line with mine detectors and prods to 593190.  1500 hours return to FSB, conduct 2 NCP vicinity FSB.
   C Co (-) depart FSB Patton 0830 hours by truck to RP at Trung Lap, move to 596219, search along stream line with mine detectors and prods to 610208.  Make detailed search of area at 610210, 608213, 610216.  1600 hours return to Trung Lap.  Truck to FSB.  1 platoon occupy Venice East, towers at Bau Dieu and FSB.  Conduct road sweep of 7A 0645 hours from Trung Lap to Highway 1.
   D Co (-) conduct 2 hours of training prior to 1100 hours.  Depart PB Hunsley 1100 hours to search area CM 585265 to 700 meter radius with mine detectors and probes, searching for site of 120mm mortar.  Stay behind 1 NCP, 1700 return to PB.
   1 Co 2/49th ARVN - 1 platoon and 1 platoon Co A depart PB Dong Tien 1000 hours.  Move with mine detectors and probes, search area 1 (624231-626233-623233-624236), recon to obj-D (626238), obj-E (617241), leave stay behind force of 1 NCP with sniper for Co A between obj-E & F (620232).  Return to PB 1700 hours.
   Radar PPS-5 at PB Hunsley, PPS-4 at PB Dong Tien, Venice East
   CRIP Depart Patton at 1100 hours, recon to area bounded by (594183-595184-597183-595181), search area.
   4.2 Platoon:  FSB, 1 tube Trung Lap, 1 tube PB Hunsley
Intel Report: 
   Co A - there is a good possibility of 107 122mm rockets being buried in the area of search and possibly along the stream banks.  There are probably bunkers and tunnels along the stream banks with underwater entrances.  On 6 Oct a 60-man unit was reportedly dispersed in the same area. 
   Co B - A possibility exists that there is an 82mm mortar buried in a cache site.  The crew is reported to be a group of women.  There are probably bunkers along the stream line.
   Co C - On 12 October a VR (visual recon) reported heavy activity, trail activity and numerous bunkers.  The stream line should provide bunkers and tunnels.  There is a possibility of an 82mm mortar firing position being in the area.  If a firing position is found, the mortar is probably buried in the near vicinity.
   Co D - Due to the find of 10 October of a 120mm mortar, the sight is probably buried in the same area vic XT585265.  There has been some trail activity in the area recently, also a radar sighting was made on 6 October in the same area.

02

0017

Bau Dieu Tower taking 1 RPG round, light 51 Cal. fire and heavy AK fire from 6-7 AK's.  100-200 meters to east.  Nighthawk requested.  Request clearance to fire artillery and gunships from Cu Chi sub sector - permission denied by Cu Chi Sub Sector

03

0040

Hawk 01 off station to refuel

04

0040

SLAR readings at 579266 and 562166, 1 vehicle at each location, time 0025 hours

05

0106

Nighthawk (Hawk 02) on station

06

0125

Nighthawk released due to maintenance problems

07

0203

Bau Dieu tower received 2 M-79 rounds, 6 RPG rounds, .51 Cal and heavy AK fire form all directions.  Request dustoff for 1 US litter, 2 US ambulatory

08

0212

Dustoff 152 on station

09

0215

Shadow 62 on station

10

0217

Nighthawk (Hawk 02) on station

11

0221

Bau Dieu says .51 Cal is 400 meters on azimuth of 2320 mils.

12

0303

Dustoff complete, 3 US to 12th Evac

13

0304

Nighthawk & Shadow released due to heavy cloud and ground fog

14

0333

C Co NCP-C kicked off

15

0336

Nighthawk 01 on station

16

0350

C Co NCP-C touchdown

17

0438

Air strike grid 677279 0600-1300 15 Oct, approved

18

0526

Readout on papers B Co picked up yesterday.  Individual part of the 9th Artillery Battalion, had been through a short sapper school, papers were dated July 1969

19

0630

CP-Charlie sniper 0044 got 1 body count, possibly 2, 2 rounds fired at 0535 hours, 170 azimuth, 150 meters

20

0635

A Co's CPs 1 & 2 closed night laager

21

0650

D Co CP-India closed Hunsley

22

0655

B Co's CPs closed Patton

23

0655

C Co's road sweeps departed for Highway 1 to Trung Lap

24

0710

1st Co 4/49th crossing LD

25

0715

Sniff Mission DTG now till 1100 hours 6127-6225-6525-6428 is Box

26

0730

2nd Co 2/49th kicked off

27

0745

Road sweep complete to Trung Lap

28

0750

AO Lobo given to 25th Avn. Bn. for FFZ (free fire zone) from 0800 to 1800

29

0802

Menehune 2 on station taxi run

30

0812

Air strike clearance for 602313, cleared

31

0813

[Late Entry]  On bunker 17 one individual refused to stand guard.  B Co/CRIP

32

0828

Road clear from Highway 1 to Trung Lap

33

0838

2nd Co 2/49th located obj-22 (606236)

34

0838

C Co 2nd platoon kicked off ballgame

35

0910

C Co departing for Trung Lap

36

0912

495 RF CP vicinity (610186) found bipod of 82mm mortar, fairly new, good condition (605184) location of bipod

37

0930

C Co departing Trung Lap on ballgame

38

0945

C Co departing for Trung Lap, 2nd Co 2/49th (606236), 495 RF (605184)

39

0958

CRIP ballgame for today:  VCI and ambush type activities 600220, 601220, 602220.  Depart Trung Lap at 1230 hours until 1530 hours.  Then depart area, burn hooches in area

40

1010

A Co departing for ballgame

41

1010

Sniff Readings:  635194 holding to 642196.  Single readings 639206, 644195, 652193, 662196

42

1015

A Co CPs for tonight, CP-1 (619234), CP-2 (626225)

43

1105

D Co departed for ballgame

44

1100

A Co (626233), 1st Co 2/49th (623234), C Co (600215), 495 RF (588184), 1st Co 4/49th (598192), 2nd Co 2/49th (592247), D Co just departed

45

1106

A Co reached area of search

46

1135

D Co has reached area of search (585265)

47

1156

D Co (585265), C Co (603212), A Co & 1st Co (US-632230) (ARVN-620234), 1st Co & A Co (625234), 2nd Co 2/49th, 1st Co 4/49th & 495 RF negative change

48

1201

1st Co 2/49th found 1 2.75in rocket in the brush at 626234, negative booby-trap, will blow

49

1202

Readout on 2/12th Inf search in our AO - in the vicinity of 560266 found 7 ammo cans containing 5 lbs civilian clothing, 5 lbs medical supplies, 1/4 lb documents, one male detainee 19 years old, shrapnel wounds head and legs

50

1217

A Co found recent trail activity on 7A at grid 635237, 3-4 individuals with NVA boots and barefoot, moving northeast 12-18 hours ago

51

1230

AO request 2/12th Inf DTG 150800 to 151600, 556190-572795.  AO request by 1/5th (Mech) DTG 150800 to 151600, 574165-610165-610169 and 561175-556180-556190

52

1245

4.2 FO from Bau Dieu said the ARVNs captured 2 RPG rounds and 2 B-40 rounds, they also found 3 bodies and a lot of blood trails, also blood in hooches.  Village people said lots of VC were hurt and killed

53

1315

A Co (624227), C Co (610210), D Co (585265), 1st Co 4/49th (606184), 2nd Co 2/49th (542247), 495 RF (598182), 1st Co 2/49 (626237), CRIP kicked off

54

1345

A Co 1st platoon found trail activity (630230), trail running southeast 8-10 individuals wearing sandals and barefoot

55

1345

Yellow Jacket report number 1108 - unknown enemy element within 500 meters of (598298), late afternoon report 13 Oct 69.  Brigade will send us a light scout team to check this area out

56

1400

Brigade requests clearance for air strike 614293, cleared

57

1420

Centaur 41 on station to check out Yellow Jacket report

58

1430

1st Co 4/49th closed Trung Lap

59

1445

Unit locations:  A Co (623219), 1st Co 2/49th (623239), CRIP (601220), C Co (609216), D Co (585265), 495 RF (598182), 2 Co 2/49th (585242)

60

1445

The change in the ballgame for 15 Oct was sent by RT got a Q&L A1445 hours

61

1455

Negative finding on Yellow Jacket readings, returned to Cu Chi

62

1459

At grid 621195 a chopper working with 1/508 airborne spotted one company coming out of a bunker, negative weapons, sighting 1430 hours.

63

1510

Half hour of VR by LOH cancelled, now form 1530 to 1600

64

1525

A) Co C 1st platoon  B) Found clothing, bag  C) 609214  D) Contained VC gas mask, camouflage scarf and parachute cord  E) Will bring it in with them

65

1520

495 RF cleared Trung Lap, found 1 .45 Cal pistol in the hole nearby (598182), led to this area by a source

66

1535

A) Menehune 6  B) Busy, heavy trail activity  C) Vicinity of 6230, extends from N-S grid line 60, north-south line 65, and from 9-W line, 29 to the river.  Signs of fresh artillery, 8 air strikes with heavy activity around these strikes with recon by fire  D) Will search area

67

On station for VR

68

1545

A)  Co C  B)  599218 81mm mortar round with trip wire, will blow and continue mission

69

1546

2 Co 2/49th at 587226, Sitrep negative

70

1540

Off station, return to Cu Chi

71

1540

Menehune 6 inbound to pick up our 63

72

1548

Request to put air strike in 640290.  Approved

73

1549

Request to put air strike in 580295.  Approved

74

1605

1st Co 2/49th closed.  Element at 617241 and 627221 to secure the area

75

1610

Request to put air strike in 640230.  Approved

76

1625

C Co closed, D Co 585265, CRIP 601219, 2nd Co 2/49th 587226, A Co stay-behind AP-1 (617241), AP-2 (627221)

77

1610

ARVN AP (617261) will depart 1815 with 22 personnel

78

1610

CRIP closed Trung Lap

79

1610

Breaking AO (585265) will report planned ballgame for tonight.  Negative findings, several old bunkers to blow and several hooches

80

1749

A Co 1st platoon closed, A Co NCP, in holding position

81

1755

D Co 3rd platoon found one dud 105mm round 589268, negative lot number or booby-trap.  Will blow

82

1816

1st Div troop support 141800-150600 4751-6530 1000 meters buffer zone (Approved)

83

1825

AO request from 495 RF 1 Co 4/49th DTG 150600 to 151800, 585212-577206-596190-600195.  Approved

84

1827

All NCPs will carry protective masks because all radar targets of 4 or more individuals will be engaged with artillery high explosive and CS gas

85

1830

B Co AP new location 578197

86

1837

D Co NCP-W location XT613251 (holding).  A Co NCP location XT619224 (holding), A Co NCP location XT626214 (holding)

87

1815

Dong Tien spotted 1 VC at 616233, employing 81mm, 2 white phosphorous

88

1820

D Co NCP-W present location 587160

89

1828

From Brigade:  All NCPs will have gas masks tonight - radar sightings of 4 or more persons will be engaged with artillery, high explosive and CS gas rounds

90

1850

Bau Dieu confirmed 2 body count from last night's action

91

1905

B Co NCP-3 kicked off

92

1910

2/49th NCPs at 617217, 597210, 585210, 585218, 590200, 591207, 587207, 582203, 597203

93

1846

[Late Entry] CRIP unit moving into staging area

94

2015

1/5th NCP's.  2/14th may be affected by XT558176, XT595173

95

1945

[Late Entry] CRIP CP in position

96

1946

A co AP-1 and AP-2 in position; D Co CP in position

97

1955

D co CP-W spotted one light 400 meters at 220 degrees, employing 81mm, expended 1 white phosphorous, 15 high explosive rounds

98

2007

From Brigade:  Artillery clearance for 1st Div XT593301 with 1000 meters radius.  Approved

99

2008

70Y CP departed

100

2010

Passed to 1/5th (Mech) AO request 150600 to 151800 hours west of 64 grid, north of 18 grind to AO boundary.  Approved by 1/5th (RB)

101

2025

A co CP-1 location 618236, CP-2 625225, D Co CP-5 580266, all in position

102

2035

70Y CP in position

103

2118

Passed to Brigade ballgame for tomorrow:  A Co 1-2-3 Co's, 2/49th

104

2120

 From Trung Lap LNO: AO request for Cu Chi Sub Sector 610225-620225-610215-620215.  150930-151530 hours for PF, RF, and Intel squad

105

2125

From Brigade:  Negative air for 16 Oct 69

106

1930

[Late Entry] Ref I-2 & I-7, Result of contact at Bau Dieu this morning:  At 0700 ARVNs swept area around Bau Dieu outpost.  Found 2 body count, 1 killed by M-79, 1 killed by M-60.  In the vicinity of 572172 found blood trails.  Villagers say several VC wounded and other bodies taken away by VC.  Found 2 RPG rounds and 2 B-40 rounds, shell casings of M-16, M-79, AK-47 and .51 Cal.

107

2312

Venice East has observed 3 rounds impacting to east and southeast of position.  Estimate 60mm mortars.  Q4 radar scanning area.  CRIP NCP heard tubes popping at 185 degrees from their position.  Tube probably in vicinity 586175.  Too close to CRIP NCP and 1/5th NCP to employ artillery or mortars.  Request Nighthawk

108

2330

LOH confirmations for 15 Oct:  Taxi 6478, taxi (0800-0900), Psyops (0915-0945), VR for artillery/52 (1730-1830)

109

Summary:  C Co searched area 2 kilometers northeast of Dong Tien where 60-man unit was reported on 6 October and where 122 rockets were believed to be buried - found trail activity, clothing and 1 booby-trap 82mm round, but nothing else.  B Co had maintenance today.  C Co was trucked to Trung Lap, searched an area to sough along the stream Suoi Ba Co Bay using mine detectors.  D Co searched an area to the southwest of Hunsley where a 120mm mortar was found on 10 October.  Searched for the sight.  CRIP conducted VCI operations in the vicinity of Trung Lap.  1 Co 2/49th worked in the area north of A Co's target area.  495th RF found  a bipod to an 82mm mortar near Bau Xa and found a .45 cal pistol in a hole near Trung Lap.  Bau Dieu outpost was hit twice this morning during hours of darkness by VC force of undetermined size armed with M-16s, M-79s, AK-47s, .51 Cal machine gun and RPGs.  US at outpost had 3 WIA dusted off.  Villagers said many VC were killed and wounded.  ARVNs found 2 bodies during a sweep.  Venice East reported 3 rounds landed near their position late tonight.  CRIP AP nearby believed it was a 60mm mortar on Bau Dieu "finger" which they heard.  A Co and 1 Co 2/49 ARVNs sent 3 NCPs from Dong Tien.  D Co sent 1 southwest of Hunsley.  Co B had 1 NCP northwest of Patton.  Sniper team set up in the vicinity of Go Noi.

110

2400

Log closed.