Daily Staff Journal  16-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, Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) One platoon and one platoon 1 Co 2/49th depart Dong Tien 0900 hours, recon to A (616234), B (617242), C (616245), search area (616245-615245-621250-620245), D (619238), E (618230), return to patrol base NLT (no later than) 1600 hours.  Conduct 1 NCP and one joint NCP
   B Co (-) Depart FSB Patton 0730 hours, search area (576205-578206-575211-571209-572206), return to FSB 1400 hours.  One platoon occupy Venice East and towers at Bau Dieu and Patton.  Conduct road sweep of 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 at 0645 hours.
   C Co SMC Bushmaster area (6220-6520-6525-6325-6224)
   D Co (-) 9 ship lift PZ PB Hunsley 0900 hours, after artillery prep C/A LZ-1 (625293), search area (624292-623293-625295-626294), recon to obj-1 (622286), obj-2 (613275), return to PB Hunsley no later than 1600 hours.  Conduct one NCP vicinity PB
   CRIP depart Trung Lap 0600 hours, move to search area (596226-597230-599230-600227), to Trung Lap 1200 hours.  Conduct one NCP vicinity FSB
   Radar PPS-5 Hunsley, PPS-4 Venice East and Patton
   4.2 Platoon (-) Patton 2 tubes, Trung Lap
   2 Co 2/49th ARVN LD 0600 hours (596211), to obj-7 (600229), obj-8 (605236), obj-9 (599243), obj-10 (587234), obj-11 (585224), return to Trung Lap
   3 Co 2/49th ARVN LD 0700 hours (590198), obj-1 (590185), obj-2 (600183), obj-3 (613185), obj-4 (608190), obj-5 (602194), obj-6 (603200), return to Trung Lap
   1 Co 4/49th ARVN search area (577207-585212-591205-585199) all day

02

0001

Conf Msg #X-10-040C, Subject: Utilization of the Assault Helicopter Company.  Conf Msg #X-10-041C, Subject: Plans Summary for 16 Oct 69

03

0045

Sitrep - negative

04

0100

Sitrep - negative

05

0250

Cancelled LOH/Taxi for 0745.  Man from Co B who was to go to Cu Chi for class has been replaced

06

0255

Sitrep - negative

07

0337

Yellow Jacket report (for info only) #1118: Unidentified enemy force within 300 meters of XT579202, late morning report 15 Oct 69

08

0349

CRIP NCP-5 departing Trung Lap

09

0447

Nighthawk 02 on station, will check Sa Nho 1-2 areas

10

0503

Nighthawk depart station, equipment malfunction

11

0545

C Co NCP-4 closed

12

0633

B Co road sweep departing to Trung Lap

13

0635

A Co CP-2 closed

14

0640

CRIP CP-5 closed

15

0645

B Co road sweep from Patton to Highway 1 departed

16

0700

D Co CP closed Hunsley, A Co CP-1 closed night laager

17

0710

[Late Entry] At 0045 hours 2nd Co 2/49th received 2 rounds 82mm resulting in 2 KIA in marketplace

18

0740

There will be a courier flight leaving Cu Chi at 0830

19

0740

3rd Co 2/49th LD at 0735

20

0745

B Co kicked off on ballgame

21

0758

Clearance for air strike (641251) TOT 1 hour, cleared

22

0813

3rd Co 2/49th located at obj-1 (590185)

23

0820

D Co's CP site for tonight 595258 NCP-Q.  A Co CP sites NCP-1 (combined) (620232), NCP-2 (US) (607221)

24

0824

Will be two Sniff Boxes in our AO.  No 1 6528-6728-6725-6525, No 2 6032-6030-6430-6432

25

0836

Locations: B Co (596206), 2nd Co 2/49th LD (596221), 3rd Co 2/49th (590185)

26

0845

3rd Co 2/49th location obj-2 (600183)

27

0845

Road clear to Highway 1 and Trung Lap

28

0901

A Co departed on sweep

29

0906

1st Co 2/49th kicked off ballgame

30

0918

D Co airborne from Hunsley at 0918 hours, down green at (625292) at 0921 hours

31

0920

1st Co 2/49th located at obj-3, A Co located at obj-A (616234)

32

0929

Locations:  D Co (625292), A Co (616234), B Co (571208), 1st Co 2/49th (623221), 3rd Co 2/49th (600183), 2nd Co 2/49th (598226)

33

0952

D Co located (625294) have found 7 fresh graves, are digging them up to confirm bodies.  Also found burlap bag with carrying strap, empty, 1 pair Cambodian-type sandals, an old bunker 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 6 x 5 with old clothing.  1 hammock, and NVA medical bandage.  1 body per grave.

34

1008

A Co located obj-B (617242), sitrep negative

35

1025

Brigade:  Reading from Sniff mission area (600305-603311-603316-611305) spotted VC, tunnels, and spider holes

36

1025

Centaur 51 at 1025 hours spotted 2 individuals.  Expended ordnance in grid (603311), also tunnel entrance in bomb crater with very fresh activity.  1 NVA hat near entrance

37

1025

A Co beginning search of AO (617245)

38

1025

Locations: A Co (617245) area of search, B Co (575210), D Co (625292), 2nd Co 2/49th no change, 3rd Co 2/49th no change, 1st Co 2/49th no change

39

1038

3rd Co 2/49th at obj-4 (608190) found 1 VC walkie-talkie

40

1040

Centaur 41 on station

41

1055

A Co found tunnel (622246), old, negative recent activity, 2x2 entrance, 5 ft down, 12 ft long, trap door 5 ft back on tunnel.  Will destroy

42

1112

A Co found 1 bunker (622246) 6x6x5 with 2 entrances each 2x2.  Negative recent activity, will destroy

43

1123

Locations:  B Co negative change, D Co negative change, A Co (6222248), 2nd Co 2/49th closed, 1st Co 2/49th obj-4 (618217), 3rd Co 2/49th obj-4 (602193)

44

1125

Recon aircraft (LOH) on station for VR (visual recon)

45

1130

Air strike clearance request (616298), LST will adjust, air strike will come up on D Co frequency.  Approved

46

1132

D Co found 1 lb assorted documents (625292), negative knowledge of contents

47

1150

D Co trail activity (614294) of 4-5 individuals, northwest direction, within 24 hours

48

1153

B Co location (573209) found 2 cans fish, 1 eaten, the other 1/2 eaten, also hot tea, negative further findings

49

1207

D Co location (6524294) found 2 bunkers 2z2z4 with 2 1/2 ft overhead cover, and 6z2x3 with 3 ft overhead cover.  Negative recent use, will blow

50

1212

CRIP Issue clearance on grid (580227) so they can search it today until 1600 hours.  Cleared

51

1250

Locations:  A Co (615245), B Co (573209), D Co (624294), 1st Co 2/49th closed, 3rd Co 2/49th (602193)

52

1258

2nd Bde FAC 24 on station for air strike at 1400 hours

53

1303

C Co departing for ballgame

54

1220

[Late Entry] B Co found booby-trap with trip wire, attached to a Tu Dia sign located (573209), will blow

55

1304

B Co negative findings in area of search except 2 booby-traps and one dud 155mm round.  All will be blown

56

1316

D Co location (623297) found 2 bunkers 2x2x5 with 4 ft overhead cover, recent use, old parachutes, sewing equipment, will blow

57

1336

CRIP requests Medevac, 1 urgent litter, 2 ambulatory.  Injuries caused by booby-trapped 105mm in a hole with trip wire over top (580227)

58

1350

Medevac 153 on station at 1350, complete 1353, to 12th Evac.  One ambulatory reference item 57 was patrol leader.

59

1355

CRIP returning to Trung Lap

60

1356

CRIP cancel request for LST, LST being sent to C Co

61

1356

Brigade requests to put air strike at loc. (632262), approved

62

1410

Locations:  3rd Co 2/49th (602193), D Co (621298), B Co (576211-576208), A Co closed, C Co departing Trung Lap, CRIP (580227)

63

1415

LNO:  Has Hoi Chanh, name Le Van Ngung, born 1939, negative weapons, hamlet squad leader (Gia Be)

64

1431

3/4 Cav 51 on station

65

1510

B Co found 155mm round (584201), negative booby-trap or lot number, will blow

66

1520

D Co requests LST to replace the one on location.  Initial LST leaves to refuel and rearm, ETA 3/4 Cav 41 1535-1540

67

1525

B Co closed Patton

68

1528

Recon aircraft (LOH) on station for VR

69

1541

3/4 Cav LST 51 released

70

1550

Locations:  C Co (621231), D Co (617298), 3rd Co 2/49th (602193)

71

1605

3/4 Cav 41 on station

72

1605

Brigade:  2nd Brigade Avn 6 and 2nd Brigade FAC received machine gun fire from (619304), negative hits

73

1606

D Co found several bunkers with tunnels and possibly 1 VC in tunnel (617298)

74

1608

Location:  3rd Co 2/49th at obj-5 (604200)

75

1610

Brigade requests to put artillery and air strike in location (620310) and (619304), approved if D Co is contacted

76

1616

D Co requested smoke machine for large tunnel complex

77

1653

C&C ship on station

78

1700

A Co requesting routine Medevac, 1 US injured himself with serving fork.  C Co requesting LST

79

1712

WO-AO for 1st Co 4/49th and 495 RF for 170600 to 171800 (557198-584220-610200-590182).  Requests taxi run from Trung Lap to Dong Tien to deliver mail this PM

80

1712

Locations:  3rd Co 2/49th closed, 1st Co 4/49th closed, both at Trung Lap

81

1715

B Co airborne 1715 from Patton, down green at 1727 (615296)

82

1722

2nd Brigade Avn 6 off station

83

1745

A Co routine Medevac complete

84

1745

D Co reports 1 body count and 1 AK-47 weapon (617298)

85

1750

D Co reports 3 body count and 4 AK-47 weapons (617298)

86

1753

3/4 Cav 51 on station

87

1819

B Co airborne to Patton

88

1819

C Co NCP Diddle Diamond at XT627241, holding area XT628244

89

1827

2/49th NCPs:  595220, 598210, 587215, 590208, 587207, 592202, 582200, 597200

90

1835

B Co closed wire at Patton

91

1837

A Co NCP-1 kicked off from Dong Tien

92

1838

D Co airborne from 615296

93

1840

D Co down green at Hunsley

94

1840

LST (Centaur 51) off station.  Negative findings with exception of several old bunkers

95

1843

C&C ship inbound to Patton

96

1845

AMC released

97

1850

A Co NCP-2 kicked off from Dong Tien

98

1855

A Co NCPs 1-630232, 22 US, 2-607221, 18 ARVN

99

1902

D Co NCP-Mike kicked off from Hunsley

100

1903

Brigade requests troop support for 1st Inf Div 4751-6530 1 kilometer buffer zone 16/1800 to 17/0600

101

1930

C Co moving from holding area to ambush site

102

1956

D Co NCP-Mike in position 596259

103

2000

D Co sitrep on results of today's operation at XT617298:  Found 10 AK magazines, 1 set ARVN fatigues, 2 canteens, 14 cans mackerel (Japanese), 7 electric blasting caps, 3 NVA officer's belts, 2 AK-50, 2 AK-47, 8 tunnels (possibly more), 2000 rounds AK ammo, 100 lbs rice, 30 ponchos, 3 flashlights, 11 Chicom grenades (Pot), 10 US grenades, 8 US pistol belts, 5 hammocks, 2 pair sandals, 5 body count

104

2014

C Co bushmaster set up at XT628244, extends 50 meters east, 40 meters north-northwest and 40 meters south

105

2018

Radar Hunsley 578267, picked up 2-3 individuals moving southeast, fired 18 105mm high explosive rounds

106

2018

A Co NCP-1 in position 620232

107

2020

1 Co 2/49th NCP-2 in position 607221

108

2024

AMC times 17 Oct (0930-1130, 1400-1630), 18 Oct (1700-1900)

109

2040

From LNO:  Ballgames 17 Oct:  1 Co 4/49th LD 0730 (581196), recon to obj-A (566197), obj-B (574208), obj-C (583215), return to Trung Lap.  495 RF LD 0730 (590200), recon obj-D (590186), obj-E (599194), obj-F (601201), return to Trung Lap

110

2045

Cu Chi Sub Sector NCP's 571171, 566168

111

2050

C Co bushmaster in location 627241

112

2100

From Capt. Dexter, Brigade 5-2:  IPW team & source will leave Cu Chi at 0800 hours 17 Oct, will operate with B Co on their mission

113

2130

AO request east of 56, north of 19 to AO boundary 17/0600-17/1800.  Approved by 1/5th (Mech) (TW), approved by 2/12th Inf (JM)

114

2140

From S-3 Air 1/5th (Mech):  1/5th (Mech) will be prepared to assume control of Bau Dieu tower effective 1200 hours 17 Oct 69.  Verified that 2/14th would continue to be responsible for road sweep of 7A from Patton to Highway 1

115

2307

Sitrep - negative

116

2302

TPS-25 radar XT58342556, picked up 2-3 individuals moving north at 2243, fired 18 105mm high explosive rounds

117

2320

From Capt. Willingham:  Air assets for 17 Oct 0930-1130, 1400-1630, 22 blade hours (Brigade only has 39 blade hours total), 4 slicks, 1 C&C (possibly with y-cord), 2 gun ships

118

2334

LOH Confirmations for 17 Oct 69:  0910 Taxi for Sgt Boda and Sgt Cerniak to Hunsley, 1630-1730 VR for Arlo and S-2

119

2340

From Capt. Saunders:  Ref I-117:  Confirmed air assets for 17 Oct 69

120

2345

Brigade called in reference to POW captured at 1010 today vic. 555250.  Notified brigade POW not captured by 2/14th

121

2400

Sitrep - negative

122

2400

Summary:  At 0045 hours today, 2 82mm rounds landed in marketplace of Trung Lap resulting in 2 ARVN KIAs.  Co A conducted joint recon operation north of Dong Tien and 1 Co 2/49th controlled joint recon operation south of Dong Tien.  Destroyed 1 tunnel and 1 bunker.  C Co kicked off from Dong Tien on a two day Bushmaster operation.  B Co searched area northwest of Patton vic. XT573209 and found 2 booby-trapped 155mm rounds and 1 dud 155mm round.  Also found 2 cans of fish and some hot tea - individuals fled area.  B Co was heliborned to assist D Co later in the evening, but had negative findings.  D Co was heliborned from Hunsley to search an area in northern Ho Bo Woods.  Found 7 fresh graves - each contained a body, found documents, bunkers, trail activity.  Later in the day, prior to pickup and return to Hunsley, D Co found numerous tunnels and bunkers, accounted for 5 body count, captured 4 AK-47s, 2000 rounds of AK ammo, 30 ponchos, 21 grenades, 100 pounds of rice, 7 electric blasting caps, 3 flashlights, 5 hammocks, items of uniform clothing.  CRIP had 3 men wounded while chasing 3 fleeing individuals, when they hit a 105mm booby-trap.  ARVNs took 2 Hoi Chanh to Trung Lap for interrogation.  Status on night combat patrols tonight:  A Co (1), D Co (1), C Co Bushmaster, ARVNs (9)

123

2400

Log closed