Daily Staff Journal  18-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, 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 (-) 1 platoon and 1 platoon 1st Co 2/49th ARVN depart PB Dong Tien 0900 hours, recon to obj-A (615234), to search area (615238-614240-616241-617239), recon to obj-B (619233), return to patrol base 1400 hours.  Conduct one joint NCP and one US NCP.
   B Co (-) depart FSB 0900 to (586199), search stream line with mine detectors and metal prods to (593190), at 1500 hours return to FSB.  One platoon occupy Venice East, tower at FSB, conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 at 0645 hours.  Conduct 4 reinforced squad-size NCPs in the vicinity of FSB.
   Co C depart Bushmaster area, recon to obj-1 (625215), obj-2 (609208), to Trung Lap at 1000 hours.  Truck to FSB Patton.  Care and maintenance of equipment.
   D Co (-) depart PB Hunsley 1200 hours, recon to obj-E (588261), obj-F (582262), and obj-G (588266), return to PB 1700 hours, conduct 1 NCP in the vicinity of PB.
   CRIP recon 612216 and conduct VCI operations 0800 to 1200 hours.
   1st Co 2/49th ARVN (-) 1 platoon and 1 platoon Co A depart PB Dong Tien 0900 hours, recon to obj-C (612232) to search area (607238-606240-605240-605237), recon to obj-D (607232), return PB 1400 hours.  Conduct 1 joint NCP
   4.2 Platoon (-) FSB Patton, 2 tubes Trung Lap
   Radar:  PPS-5 PB Hunsley, PPS-4 Venice East and FSB Patton
   3 Co 2/49th ARVN 0800 LD (592217), recon to obj-12 (588221), obj-13 (580227), obj-14 (576220), obj-15 (575207), return to Trung Lap
   1st Co 4/49th ARVN LD (594199), recon to obj-A (600194), obj-B (607191), obj-C (612186), obj-D (607180), obj-E (598183), obj-F (589186), RP (580191), to Trung Lap

02

0055

Sitrep - negative

03

0114

TPX-25 radar XT61341928 picked up 4-5 individuals moving southeast, fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds; at XT62301930 picked up 6-8 individuals moving southeast at 0134 hours, fired 54 105mm high explosive rounds

04

0158

Sitrep - negative

05

0205

A Co NCP-1 reported mortar rounds impacting approximately 200 meters north of their location.  4.2 at Trung Lap was firing at the same time north of that location.  Notified 4.2 and no further rounds impacted.  Apparently it was 4.2 rounds the NCP spotted.

06

0210

Hunsley radar 583260 picked up 2-3 individuals moving southeast, fired 18 105mm high explosive rounds

07

0218

Hunsley radar 588262 picked up 2-3 individuals moving southeast, fired 18 105mm high explosive rounds

08

0225

Brigade requested clearance for air strike (672244), 18/0600 to 18/0800, Approved

09

0255

Sitrep - negative

10

0354

Late radar reports called in by TPS-25 at Trung Lap: 17/1950, 61391925, picked 6-8 individuals moving south, fired 54 high explosive;  17/1932 at 62061866 picked up 3-4 individuals moving south, fired 30 high explosive.  17/2021 at 58782412 picked up 3-4 individuals moving north, fired 30 high explosive, 17/2055 at 61391917 picked up 3-4 individuals moving south.  Advised operator to inform all operations to send these reports ASAP

11

0355

Sitrep - negative

12

0442

Spooky 72 on station

13

0445

Spooky gunship on station, advised to work in AO 6128-6428-6430-6130 as suggested by Division

14

0447

Nighthawk 01 on station, sent to check out radar sightings southwest of Hunsley

15

0454

Sitrep - negative

16

0513

Nighthawk departed station to work for 3/4 Cav which is receiving possible incoming

17

0515

Spooky gunship spotted lights in vicinity of 6229, granted permission to fire

18

0540

Commo reports electric fence shut off per instructions from night duty officer

19

0545

Spooky gunship released by Issue Control.  Expended 10 flares.  Negative ordnance

20

0600

Sitrep - negative

21

0628

A Co NCP-2 closed night laager

22

0650

A Co NCP-1 closed night laager

23

0700

D Co NCP-M closed Hunsley

24

0710

B Co road sweeps departed fifteen minutes ago

25

0730

Brigade:  Sniff Box located (6228, 6428, 6425, 6225), time of operations 18/0900 to 18/1415

26

0730

A Co NCP locations:  AP-1 (623221) (US & ARVN), AP-2 (612219) (US only)

27

0730

D Co Operations, 2nd platoon and the CP group will cover obj-F/G, 3rd platoon will cover Obj-E and a new objective (597259); NCP location (581254), call sign AP-Mike

28

0745

Brigade:  Air strike (640300). Clearance granted

29

0750

Brigade:  Air strike (582300). Clearance granted

30

0805

LNO:  3rd Co 2/49th at LD (593217)

31

0815

LNO:  1st Co 4/49th at LD (600192)

32

0827

LNO:  2/49th requests 1/2 VR this afternoon, also 2 cases TNT and 50 blasting caps

33

0849

CRIP kicked off ballgame at 0849 hours

34

0855

B Co road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

35

0907

B Co departing on ballgame

36

0915

A Co kicked off ballgame

37

0930

A Co location obj-A (616234).  1st Co 2/49th kicked off on ballgame

38

0930

2/12th AO request for 19/0800 to 19/1800 hours south of 27, east of 56, north of 25 to AO boundary as buffer zone

39

0931

Brigade:  AO Lobo has been given to 25th Aviation for a free fire zone 19/0900 to 19/1800

40

0935

Locations:  A Co (616234), B Co (582202), C Co at Trung Lap loading trucks for Patton, D Co at Hunsley, 1st Co 2/49th kicked off on ballgame, 3rd Co 2/49th (590213), 1st Co 4/49th (604191)

41

0956

CRIP found 2 B-40 rockets without launcher, 1 M-72 LAW on top of ground (612216), will blow

42

0958

C Co closed Patton

43

1004

B Co found 105mm dud, negative booby-trap or lot number (618202)

44

1025

CRIP found trap door leading to a tunnel complex, possible dead or wounded VC inside.  Negative findings, 2x4x10 lined with sandbags and 3-inch bamboo (612216)

45

1030

Locations:  A Co (605248), B Co (586197), CRIP (612216), 1st Co 4/49 obj-D (598182), 1st Co 2/49 (607239), 2nd Co 2/49 (590212)

46

1040

A Co found 2 40 lb anti-tank mines, pressure type (705248)

47

1125

2nd Brigade Avn 3 on station for VR with S-3 and Hoi Chanh

48

1150

Brigade:  Locations of 1st Div troop PBR (589332); troops (581330)

49

1150

Brigade:  Hoi Chanh has information that there is a meeting of high level personnel of SR-1 in grid (6031).  Have been there for 4 days, today is the last day of meetings.  There is security set up in the area.  Hoi Chanh was a lieutenant

50

1153

Brigade:  Locations:  2/2 1st Brigade 1st Div A Co (6034), B Co (6532), PBR (5833)

51

1200

Locations:  A Co (614240), 1st Co 2/49th (607239), 3rd Co 2/49th (577220), B Co closed, ready for standby, 1st Co 4/49th (589185)

52

1215

LNO:  1st Co 4/49th obj-F (580191)

53

1218

A Co, 1st Co 2/9 close night laager

54

1231

CRIP closed Trung Lap

55

1238

2nd Brigade Avn 2 on station

56

1254

Brigade: Sniff reading:  Alpha reading (617258) TOT planned for tonight, VR LST negative findings, Bravo reading (53926)

57

1300

Locations:  A Co (614240), 1st Co 4/49th (580191), 3d Co 2/49th (577217)

58

1315

A Co completed search, beginning to move back to night laager

59

1335

LNO: 1st Co 4/49th closed Trung Lap

60

1354

A Co closed night laager

61

1355

112th Avn 3A C&C ship on station, inbound to 2nd Brigade pool for S-3

62

1400

LNO: 3rd Co 2/49th same location as last, all others closed

63

1405

CRIP - be prepared to reinforce PB Hunsley for tonight with entire element, 15-minute standby

64

1435

B Co airborne from Patton at 1435 hours, down green at 1446 hours (602329)

65

1500

D Co airborne from Hunsley at 1453 hours, down green at 1458 hours (602329)

66

1505

S-3: Major Chadrue and SGM with D Co on ground

67

1507

S-3:  AMC released

68

1512

2nd Brigade Avn 2 on station for VR by S-3

69

1518

Brigade:  Air strike (630303)

70

1520

Brigade:  Request Medevac for 1 US with 103 temperature at Patton

71

1525

LNO:  3rd Co 2/49 obj-15 (575208), D Co and B Co departing LZ

72

1535

S-3 requests Medevac, urgent litter, 1 US heat victim.  Instructions - contact S-2 at target area (602328)

73

1545

S-3: Cancel Medevac for heat victim (ref item 72), 2nd Brigade Avn  picked him up

74

1625

Brigade:  Request to put air strike (652277), approved

75

1630

Brigade:  2nd Brigade Avn for Trung Lap VR is cancelled

76

1630

Brigade:  Cancel Medevac for Patton, 1 US routine, completed by 2nd Brigade Avn 6

77

1632

LNO:  3rd Co 2/49th closed Trung Lap

78

1545

[Late Entry] S-3:  D Co found tunnel 4x4x8 (597226), negative findings

79

1705

Locations:  B Co (597325), D Co (603320)

80

1715

S-3 Assistant:  B Co (597325), D Co (603320), Hunsley tower heard AK fire directed against gunship (603273), 700-800 meters east-northeast of PB Hunsley

81

1720

Brigade:  Gunship in the vicinity of AO Lobo while test firing guns received AK fire, 1 round penetrated dashboard, requesting artillery on location (603273).  Mortar used from PB Hunsley, 5 rounds at 1715 hours, on target

82

1730

112th Avn on station for C&C aircraft

83

1801

D Co airborne from 596236, down green Hunsley 1809

84

1810

AMC took small arms fire going into Hunsley in the vicinity of 6127 grid

85

1812

B Co airborne from XT597325

86

1814

D Co closed Hunsley

87

1815

At 1830 hours the Crusader's AMC will have consumed 65 hours 30 minutes blade time

88

1837

C Co NCP-3 & NCP-4 kicked off

89

1840

2/49th NCPs 595220, 596213, 600207, 589219, 586211, 585206, 590198, 585202, 597200

90

1851

A Co NCP-1 & 2 kicked off

91

1859

NCP locations for tonight sent to all units

92

1905

Brigade notified us that there would be negative AMC for 20 Oct 69

93

1915

D Co will have test fire at 1930 to the north and east, negative firing to south and west

94

1925

Free fire clearance 593301 with 1 kilometer radius.  Troop support 1st Inf Div (6630-4751) 1 kilometer

95

1935

D Co NCP-Mike now in position at 582264

96

1935

C Co NCP-3 in position 577206

97

1945

C Co NCP-4 in position 595187

98

1822

[Late Entry]  AO request from LNO:  2/49 ARVN 619255-633208-585221-611191; 2 Troop 2/10 Cav & 2 Co 2/49th depart Trung Lap 0700 LD (594221) to obj-1 (598227), to obj-2 (605235), to obj-3 (615244), to obj-4 (621231), to obj-5 (626221), to blocking position obj-6 (615226), return equipment from Dong Tien to Trung Lap

99

1822

[Late Entry]  1 Co 2/49 & A Co LD (615225) to obj-9 (614220), to obj-10 (606216), return to Trung Lap.  AO request 19/0600-19/1800 (585221-611191-570205-594177) New Life Hamlet for protection during elections, village security.  495 RF, PF's & 1st Co 4/49.

100

1828

[Late Entry]  From LNO:  AO request 19/0600 to 19/1800 PF in hamlet (591205-585199-590195-595200), 1 Co 4/49 0700 LD 583197 to obj-11 (575209), obj-12 (584214), return to Trung Lap.  PF platoon in hamlet during elections for security, 495 (RF) 0700 LD (600200), to obj-21 (602194), obj-22 (597184), obj-23 (581185), return to Trung Lap

101

2005

A Co NCP-2 in position 610218

102

2031

TPS-25 radar 55611993 picked up 3-4 individuals moving southeast, fired 30 105 high explosive rounds

103

2043

Request AO for 1/5th 19/0600-19/1800 south of 20, east of 56  5619-5718 to AO boundary.  Approved 2156

104

2043

Ref. item 38, AO request approved by 2/12th (IW)

105

2055

C Co NCP-3 in location 574204.  Passed new ballgame for B Co for 19 Oct 69

106

2113

A Co NCP-1 in location 621218

107

2230

Sitrep - negative

108

2259

[Late Entry] Late report for TPS-25 radar at XT578245 picked up 2-3 individuals, stationary, fired 18 rounds 105 high explosive at 1940 hours

109

2300

Sitrep - negative

110

2350

Report that two rounds sounded like they landed close to perimeter.  Tower said rounds landed about 700-800 meters south of FSB.  Checked with C Co, they were firing mortars at a target 800 meters south of FSB (584187) at the time report was received.  Alerted Q-4 radar and TPS-25 radar to scan area and checked with LNO of Trung Lap.  Negative findings.  Rounds were evidently from C Co's 81mm mortar platoon

111

2400

Sitrep - negative

112

2400

Summary:  In early morning hours radar pick-ups were concentrated in area southwest of Hunsley and east of Patton.  A Co and 1st Co 2/49 conducted 2 joint ballgames out of Dong Tien.  A Co found 2 40 lb anti-tank mines 3 kilometers to north of Dong Tien.  B Co searched stream at Suoi Gia.  East of Patton found 1 105mm dud round.  C Co wrapped up their Bushmaster operation today, moved to Trung Lap and were trucked to Patton.  D Co searched area southwest of Hunsley.  AT noon word was received from Brigade that Hoi Chanh was going to lead us to a VC meeting site.  B & D Co's were lifted into area called "Buzzard's Beak:" 5 kilometers north of Hunsley, had negative findings with exception of 1 tunnel.  AMC and gunships received ground fire in AO Lobo near Hunsley, mortars fired into suspected area.  CRIP conducted recon and VCI operations in the vicinity of Trung Lap.  Found and destroyed reinforced tunnel near Xom Moi (2), 2 B-40 rockets and 1 LAW.  Tonight A Co conducted 1 all-US NCP and controlled 1 joint AP from Dong Tien.  D Co sent 1 NCP out of Hunsley.  C Co sent 2 NCP's from Patton and ARVN's had 9 NCP's in Trung Lap area

113

2400

Log closed