Daily Staff Journal  17-Oct-69

ITEM

TIME

INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.

01

0001

LOG OPENED:
Supporting information for today's events:  Bn. Cmdr LTC Donald O. Crutchley (on R&R), XO Maj Robert Chaudrue (Acting Commander), S3 Maj. Dexter Branscome, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Barone, S2 Cpt Joseph Murphy (hospital), S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 2Lt Andrew Moyer
Locations:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Bau Dieu Tower XT569171, PB Dong Tien XT615225, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) Depart PB Dong Tien 0830, move to search area (609217-610214-605213-604215).  Make detailed search with probing rods, be prepared to reinforce Co B or Co D.  Return to patrol base 1500 hours.  Conduct 1 joint AP.
   B Co (-) 2 4-ship lifts from FSB Patton 1030 & 1045 hours.  After artillery prep C/A LZ-3 (653272), search area (653274-658273-658268-655268), PZ vicinity of (653270) 1510 & 1525.  Return to FSB.  1 platoon occupy Venice East and tower at FSB.  Conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 at 0645 hours.
   C Co continue Bushmaster operations in area (6220-6520-6525-6325-6224)
   D Co 2 4-ship lifts from PB Hunsley at 0930 & 0945 hours.  After artillery prep C/A LZ-1 (629301), search area (628302-625303-625306-630310-630305), PZ vicinity (630304) at 1400 & 1415 hours.  Return to patrol base, conduct 1 joint NCP.
   CRIP VCI activities in vicinity of Trung Lap
   4.2 Platoon (-) at Patton, 2 tubes Trung Lap
   Radar: TPS-25 Trung Lap, PPS-4 at Venice East, PPS-5 at Hunsley
   1st Co (-) 2/49th 2 4-ship lifts from PB Dong Tien 1100 & 1115 hours, after artillery prep C/Z LZ-4 (654268), search area (655268-658268-659266-656266), PZ vicinity 655266 1540 & 1555 hours, return to patrol base.  Conduct 1 joint NCP and 1 NCP (ARVN)
   2nd Co 2/49th 2 4-ship lifts from Trung Lap 1005 & 1015 hours after artillery prep, C/A LZ-2 (631300), search area (630305-630310-634311-634307), PZ vicinity 633306 at 1430 & 1445 hours.  Return to Trung Lap.
   1st 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 to obj-D (590186), to obj-E (599194), to obj-F (601201), return to Trung Lap.

02

0001

Hawk 01 Nighthawk on station

03

0050

Brigade called ref. 2 Hoi Chanh picked up by 2/49th on 16 Oct 0800, VC laborer from Go Noi, negative tactical information.  1300  Hamlet squad leader from Gia Be

04

0105

Sitrep - negative

05

0115

Intel report from Brigade S-2:  LOI (letter of instruction) to cadre of A-54, 1969, signed by TNA1/Hoang Rang, chief of staff, staff section, Trang Bang district.  Unit location revealed that cadre of A-54 are introduced to the XK Lochung (V) and Antinh (V) for cooperation and establishment in base camp.  Medical expenditures 13 Jul 69 signed by Nguyen Van Dan, receipt belonging to Huynh Van Rang, squad leader A 34 May 69.

06

0115

Intel report from Brigade S-2:  Elements of Intelligence Section SR-1, Chief of staff, command comm, Trang Bang, Local Force Battalion XT518266, XT528202.  Medic C-4 Co Trang Bang local force battalion N/R.  Civilian proselytizing section SR-1

07

0117

Nighthawk off station to resupply flares

08

0153

Sitrep - negative

09

0255

Sitrep - negative

10

0300

Rec. Conf. Msg. #X-10-051C  Subject: Plans Summary Change #1 for 17 Oct 69

11

0408

Sitrep - negative

12

0500

Sitrep - negative

13

0515

Ref AO request for 25H & 1HR 17/0800-17/1800 from grid line 26 to 28.  Brigade is still awaiting reply from 1st Inf Div G-3.  Should have answer by 0730

14

0530

From Commo:  Electric fence cut off per instructions from night duty officer

15

0530

From LNO:  Ref Item 3, Hoi Chanhs picked up by 2/49th on 16 Oct 69, Nguyen Van Duc, born 1941, laborer, Go Noi 2 hamlet area.  Le Van Ngung, born 1939, squad leader Gia Be hamlet area.  This was all the info given to LNO by ARVN S-2, Trung Lap

16

0554

Sitrep - negative

17

0628

A Co reports NCP-1 closed

18

0635

D Co reports NCP closed Hunsley

19

0650

A Co reports NCP-2 closed

20

0700

B Co road sweeps departed

21

0704

C Co reports they have 105 rounds of the bad lot of 81mm

22

0728

Brigade:  Request for AO 1-HR dess - approved

23

0730

LNO:  1st Co 4/49th kicked off ballgame

24

0733

B Co road clear from Patton to Trung Lap

25

0738

LNO:  Requests aircraft for VR this afternoon

26

0758

Brigade requests air strike clearance request for location (616297), approximate time 0830.  Cleared

27

0729

[Late Entry] Brigade:  Sniff mission in area (6420-6620-6426-6626)

28

0832

B Co road sweep from Patton to Highway 1 complete

29

0835

A Co kickoff for ballgame

30

0837

2nd Brigade Avn 3 on station for IPW

31

0843

116th Avn 3 on station for command & control ship

32

0923

Brigade:  AO (IGR) approved until 1700 hours. Special instructions: do not cross river

33

0930

D Co airborne from Hunsley at 0930 hours 1st lift

34

0933

S-3:  AMC came to us with 34 1/2 hours

35

0936

CRIP ballgame for today is 1300-1430 hours, class on mines and booby-traps, 1530-1845 2 squad-size CP's at (596220, 598217)

36

0940

D Co down green 0940 (629307) 1st lift

37

0942

A Co found tunnel (607215) entrance 2x2, down 2 ft, back 5 ft, right 7 ft, right 8 ft, trap door at end, will destroy

38

0950

D Co 2nd lift airborne at 0945 hours (629301), down green 0950 hours

39

0955

Locations:  A Co (607215), C Co (627241), D Co (629301), 1st Co 4/49 (580197), 495 RF under Cu Chi Sub Sector control

40

0958

2nd Co 2/49th 1st lift airborne form Trung Lap at 0958

41

1002

2nd Co 2/49th 1st lift down green at 1002 hours, (631300)

42

1010

2nd Co 2/49th 2nd lift airborne at 1010 hours from Trung Lap

43

1012

S-3:  As of 1010 hours have used 7 blade hours

44

1015

2nd Co 2/49 2nd lift down green at 1015 hours (631300)

45

1025

B Co airborne from Patton 1025 1st lift

46

1028

Brigade:  Sniff Box cancelled

47

1030

Brigade:  Sent ballgame for 18 October transmitted secure, received by DT

48

1036

B Co 1st lift down green at 1036 hours (653272)

49

1049

B Co 2nd lift airborne from Patton 1044 hours, down green at 1049 (653272)

50

1055

Locations:  C Co & ARVNs same as last, B Co, D Co, and 1st Co moving out of LZ at this time

51

1104

A Co found bunker (605214) 4x4x4 in hedgerow with brush for overhead cover, also one 1 lb block of C-4 with 1 blasting cap.  Will destroy

52

1115

B Co requests routine Medevac for 3 Vietnamese females, 1 litter, 2 ambulatory.  Litter was hit in hip and ambulatory have eye injuries.  Injuries resulted form being too close to wire at Venice East and being fired upon with CS from M-79

53

1120

1st Co 2/49th first lift airborne form night laager at 1120 hours

54

1123

1st Co 2/49th first lift down green at 1123 hours (653272)

55

1125

S-3/Asst:  LST 86 took 2 VC under fire who were taking evasive action.  Result 2 body count, 1 9mm pistol, ammo can of documents

56

1128

1st Co 2/49th second lift airborne from night laager at 1128 hours

57

1132

1st Co 2/49th down green at 1128 hours (653272)

58

1133

S-3/Asst LST reports smoke coming out of hedgerow at 1127 hours (659245), engaged by LST, negative result at this time

59

1135

S-3: As of 1130 hours have consumed 14 1/2 blade hours.  AMC released

60

1145

D Co found tunnel 2x3x4 overhead cover (628302), also trail, recent use by 6-8 individuals heading east.  Will blow tunnel

61

1218

1st Co 2/49th found booby-trapped grenade, pressure type, (653274) will blow

62

1223

C Co departing CP site

63

1233

B Co found bunker with two-man fighting position (654275), will blow

64

1233

B Co reported 1st Co 2/49th found 1 bunker 6x4x3 1 1/2 ft overhead cover (656269), will blow

65

1242

Locations:  A Co (605214), B Co (654275), C Co (627230), D Co (629308), 1st Co 2/49th (656269), 2nd Co 2/49th (633307), 1st Co 4/49th (584215)

66

1245

LNO:  Reaction to LST taking fire 9584227), firing artillery, having 3rd Co 2/49th move in, 1st Co 4/49th set up blocking position at (584215), 1/10th Cav element on standby

67

1252

3/4 Cav 52 on station at 1252

68

1315

2nd Brigade Avn 1 on station for ARVNs

69

1332

Locations:  A Co (608215), B Co (656276), C Co (626224), D Co (629308), 1st Co 2/49th (658269), 2nd Co 2/49th (632306), 1st Co 4/49th (594215)

70

1340

116th Avn 6 C&C on station

71

1340

B Co found 2 bunkers, one was a CP bunker 6x8x3, the other bunker 6x6x6, negative findings.  CP bunker evacuated approx. 3 days ago (656276, will destroy

72

1355

A Co found bunker 4x4x4 1 1/2 ft overhead cover, (608224), will blow

73

1400

2nd Bde Avn 2 on station to pick up weapons from Hunsley and deliver to Patton.  Will pick up 2 Red Cross workers from Patton

74

1420

A Co found suspected 155mm round embedded in ground, negative booby-trap or lot number (608214), will blow

75

1450

A Co closed night laager

76

1450

C Co requests Medevac, 1 US litter, urgent (heat stroke) (629221)

77

1450

LNO:  AO request 180600-181800 area (565215-582232-620190-620174-585180) except for area within AO Sure Shot.  Request for 1st Co 4/49th and 3rd Co 2/49th.  Approved except for AO of B Co for 18 Oct.

78

1505

C Co Medevac complete to 25th Med

79

1510

S-3:  495 RF found one Hoi Chanh at 1215 hours (601201)

80

1511

Brigade:  Informed 2nd Brigade Avn will need PRC-25 since does not have FM capabilities

81

1525

1st Co 4/49th closed Trung Lap

82

1528

C Co moved into TIC area

83

1535

Brigade:  VR for 2/49th cancelled

84

1539

2nd Co 2/49th airborne from (639307) at 1539 hours, down green at 1544 hours at Trung Lap

85

1550

S-3:  Gunship brought down by fire at (XT643309), 2nd Co 2/49th is securing downed gunship, starting artillery prep of area (635300)

86

1620

B Co airborne at 1617 hours (648274), down green at Patton 1628 hours

87

1625

Gate Guard: Requests Medevac for 1 Vietnamese female, ambulatory, shrapnel in knee (reference item 52 - injury result of this incident)

88

1629

B Co airborne from (648274) at 1625 hours, down green at 1629 hours at Patton

89

1640

Locations:  A Co closed, B Co closed and on standby, C Co (623215), D Co (637305), 1st Co 2/49th (648274), 2nd Co 2/49th (635300)

90

1650

S-3: Have 2-3 VC with radio possibly, LST are engaging (652274)

91

1653

1st Co 2/49th airborne at 1653 hours (648274), down green at night laager 1658 hours

92

1659

Medevac 150 on station, complete 1705 hours

93

1700

LST requests clearance to expend ordnance (585266), Cleared

94

1707

1st Co 2/49th airborne at 1707 hours (648274), down green at night laager 1712

95

1713

S-3:  Blade reports 40 hours

96

1715

S-3:  Downed chopper at (643309) took fire from (634298)

97

1722

S-3:  Pipe Smoke complete

98

1735

S-3:  Jets received ground fire when they went in for air strikes, negative damage

99

1740

A Co CP sites for tonight, NCP-1 (609235) US 20 men, NCP-2 (619215) ARVN 22 men

100

1745

2nd Co 2/49th airborne at 1745 hours (643309), down green at Trung Lap 1749 hours

101

1755

S-3:  Mechanical problems with C&C helicopter trying to make Cu Chi, in Cu Chi 1810 hours

102

1808

S-3:  B Co can stand down, off standby status

103

1834

S-3:  C&C off Cu Chi, inbound to area of operation

104

1835

D Co NCP (602278) call sign NCP-M, 25 men

105

1840

2nd Brigade Avn on station to deliver message

106

1755

[Late Entry]  C Co NCP locations, holding area (625215), NCPs Killjoy-1 (627222), Killjoy-2 (629219), Killjoy-3 (629211), Killjoy-4 (630208), Killjoy-5 (623211)

107

1845

A Co NCP-1 in holding area, kicked off 015 ago.  NCP-2 kicking off

108

1846

Brigade:  1st Div Troop Support (4751) to (6530) with 1000 meters buffer this side of the river 171800 to 180600.  Also counter-mortar fire.  1st Div wants clearance on grids 566305-594284

109

1850

S-3:  LST took fire, not seriously damaged, return to Cu Chi, request LFT.  Flight also took fire

110

1900

2/49th NCPs:  595220, 600204, 597210, 590219, 584210, 588207, 590199, 582200, 594200.

111

1912

NCP-KJ3 in holding area spotted 4 individuals with weapons 200 meters away from their position moving west, engaged them with M-16 and one hand grenade as they came near.  VC disappeared into gathering dusk.  Negative US casualties

112

1915

Diamond Head 50 LFT on station

113

1920

NCPs KJ-1,2,3,4 of C Co depart holding area

114

1923

A Co NCP-1 in position (609234)

115

1925

D Co airborne from XT635300 at 1925, down green at Hunsley 1929

116

1937

AMC released

117

1948

D Co NCP-Mike departed Hunsley

118

2000

A Co NCP-2 in position 609224

119

2007

C Co KJ-3&5 in position (629211) & (623211)

120

2019

Hunsley reports taking 3 incoming rounds fired from azimuth 170 degrees, 500-600 meters, 60mm, believed to have landed outside wire, counter-mortar fire, Killer Junior fired, negative casualties

121

2022

A Co NCP-1 at XT609234

122

2028

FAC (Issue 22) spotted light 2-3 kilometers on 175 degree azimuth from Hunsley

123

2031

A Co NCP-1 heard mortar tube pop 1000-1500 meters away on 45 degree azimuth

124

2032

D Co NCP-M presently 700 meters, 30 degree azimuth from Hunsley, spotted 3-4 individuals on 340-degree azimuth 50-100 meters away, called for mortars

125

2040

D Co, Hunsley radar 564272, picked up 3-4 individuals, fired 25 rounds 105mm high explosive (562265), picked up 3-4 individuals (562265), fired 18 105mm high explosive.  Direction of movement not known

126

2045

Hunsley radar (578261) picked up 3-4 individuals, stationary.  Artillery fired 5 point range and sweep

127

2104

1/5th AP sites:  549197, 590168, 612177, 605167

128

2104

AO request forwarded to 1/5th (Mech):  180600 to 181800, East of 58, North of 17 to AO boundary.  Approved (TW)

129

2110

Ballgames from LNO:  3 Co 2/49th 0800 LD (592217), recon obj-12 (588221), obj-13 (580227), obj-14 (576220), obj-15 (575207), return to Trung Lap.  1st Co 4/49th 0800 LD (594199), recon to obj-A (600194), to obj-B (607191), to obj-C (612186), to obj-D (607180), to obj-E (598183), to obj-F (589186), RP (580191) to Trung Lap

130

2123

AMC for 19 Oct cancelled

131

2125

Hunsley radar 586257 picked up 4-5 individuals moving west, fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds

132

2135

Request AO for 2/12th:  18/0800 to 18/1800 South of 27, East of 56, North of 25 to AO boundary.  Approved (JW)

133

2136

D Co NCP-M suspects 1 VC in bomb crater 30 meters to their front.  Used 5 hand grenades, crater filled with water.  Will check again in the morning.

134

2149

LOH confirmations for 18 Oct:  LOH taxi for CSM at 0905, VR for ARLO & S-2 1730-1830

135

2150

1/505 (Airborne) requested AO Eagle 6525-6526-6625 for 18/0600 to 18/1800

136

2200

SLAR report:  1 VC moving in open at 645280 and 1 VC moving in open at 625285.  Fired 29 155mm high explosive rounds

137

2200

Sitrep - negative

138

2230

CRIP will be operating in the vicinity of 612216 between 0800-1200

139

2305

Sitrep - negative

140

2030

[Late Entry] All C Co NCPs in position

141

2200

[Late Entry] NCP-M (D Co) in position 599277

142

2359

Sitrep - negative

143

2400

Summary:  A Co conducted search of area southwest of Dong Tien, found and destroyed 2 bunkers, 1 155mm dud, 1 lb block of C-4.  B Co conducted heliborne near the "Top Hat", searched area in conjunction with 1 Co 2/49th, found and destroyed 4 bunkers and 1 booby-trap.  C Co continued Bushmaster operation in Xom Moi area.  D Co conducted heliborne in AO Lobo, destroyed 1 tunnel.  Gunship was downed by .51 Cal machine gun fire this afternoon and 2nd Co 2/49th was flown in to secure aircraft until it was extracted from AO Lobo.  Other aircraft in the area received fire from the .51 Cal machine gun but were not seriously damaged.  Air strikes hit suspected machine gun positions.  D Co was not extracted from AO Lobo until 1925 hours.  Hunsley received 3 incoming mortar rounds at 2019 hours, no casualties or damage.  Rounds landed outside the perimeter.  One of C Co's elements ambushed 4 VC who moved near the Co holding area.  Results of the action are unknown.  C Company moved into 5 ambush sites for the night.  A Co and D Co each sent out 1 NCP and ARVNs conducted 10 NCPs in our AO.  Radar at Hunsley picked up 5 radar targets which were engaged by artillery.

144

2400

Log closed