Daily Staff Journal  19-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, S1 Cpt Anthony Barone, S2 Cpt Joseph Murphy (hospital), 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 (-) disassemble PB Dong Tien, move to Trung Lap, trucked to FSB, preparation for OpCon to 3/4 Cav, conduct 2 NCP's vicinity FSB.
   B Co (-) depart FSB Patton 0930, recon to obj-A (576195), search area (569194-565194-565191-569191), make detail search with mine detectors and probes, recon to obj-B (576190), return to FSB 1430 hours.  1 platoon occupy Venice East, tower at FSB, conduct road sweep of 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 0645 hours.
   C Co (-)  Depart FSB Patton to Cu Chi for stand down
   D Co (-)  Depart PB Hunsley 0800, recon to obj-1 (588265) to RP (580265), 1 platoon search area A (578265-575265-575268-578268), 1 platoon move to search area B (570259-566258-566262-568262), return to patrol base 1400 hours, conduct 1 NCP vicinity PB.
   CRIP:  VCI activities vicinity Trung Lap
   1st Co 2/49 ARVN LD 615225, recon to obj-9 (614220), obj-10 (606216), return to Trung Lap
   2nd Troop 2/10 Cav and 2 Co 2/49  LD 0700 (594221), recon obj-1 (598227), obj-2 (605235), obj-3 (615244), obj-4 (621231), obj-5 (626221), set up blocking position (615226) while A Co tears down Dong Tien.
   1st Co 4/49th ARVN  0700 hours LD (583197), recon obj-11 (575279), obj-12 (584214), return to Trung Lap to secure the New Life Hamlet during elections.  PF platoon in New Life Hamlet to provide security for elections.
   495 RF 0700 LD 600200, recon to obj-21 (702194), obj-22 (597184), obj-23 (591185), return to Trung Lap to secure the New Life Hamlet for elections.

02

0043

LOH times confirmed:  1000-1100 VR for Major Chadrue, 1600-1630 VR for Major Heller, 1730-1830 VR for ARLO and S-2

03

0100

Sitrep - negative

04

0130

Called in report on LZ-PZ times for AMC for 17 & 18 Oct 69

05

0206

Sitrep - negative

06

0208

Duffle Bag CZ 1418 65862340, heavy activation, 29 rounds 155 high explosive and 6 round 155mm firecracker rounds

07

0300

Sitrep - negative

08

0352

Request priority dustoff for 1 US ambulatory with severe chest pains and difficulty breathing.  Senior aid man at battalion aid station reclassified him as litter.  Pain getting worse.  Reclassified urgent.  Dustoff 163 on station 0415, complete 0422.  Destination 25th Med

09

0358

Sitrep - negative

10

0457

Sitrep - negative

11

0530

Electricity turned off perimeter fence by Commo (RD)

12

0530

B Co late report: Found and destroyed 1 105mm booby-trap, XT597325, 18/1705.  1 butterfly bomb, XT598324, 18/1600

13

0600

Sitrep - negative from all elements

14

0630

A Co CP-1 & 2 closed Dong Tien

15

0640

AO Lobo approved as free fire zone 19/0630 to 19/1800

16

0645

C Co AP-4 just returning, AP-3 left location 15 min ago

17

0700

D Co NCP closed Hunsley

18

0707

B Co road sweep departed

19

0716

Brigade:  Sniff Mission area (6419-6819-6822-6625-6425), time 19/0830-19/1400

20

0730

LNO:  1st Co 4/49th kicked off on ballgame, 2nd Co and 1/10 Cav kicked off on ballgame

21

0735

B Co road clear from Patton to Trung Lap

22

0740

LNO:  Major Keller new call sign Maroon Board 50

23

0745

Brigade:  ARVN report - A) ARVN, B) 6 Co  C) #1-3, #3-10, D-E-F negative;  A) RF  B) 1 Co  C) #1-1, #3-1, D-E-F negative;  A) PF  B) 1 platoon  C-D-E-F negative

24

0755

D co NCP (603203) for 19 Oct.  Call sign NCP-N

25

0800

B Co road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

26

0800

Brigade:  Call sign Cu Chi Sub Sector changed to Mighty Ringer 22, primary 49.70 - Alternate 46.40

27

0810

D Co kicked off ballgame

28

0810

LNO:  2nd Co 2/49 and 2/10 Cav at obj-2 (605235)

29

0845

Locations:  D Co 2nd platoon (581266), 3rd platoon (578266), 1st Co 4/49 (580202), 2nd Co 2/49 & 2/10 Cav (605235)

30

0900

CRIP time and location of VCI 19/1500- 191900 location (598234)

31

0910

LNO:  2nd Co 2/49 and 2/10 Cav obj-2 location (615253), 1st Co 4/49 obj-12 (584214)

32

0925

S-3 Air/DR:  Captain Waldera has arrived at Hampton

33

0940

Brigade:  2nd/14th Inf has AMC on 20 Oct from 0730-0830 and 1500-1630

34

0940

D Co 3rd platoon found booby-trap 155mm round.  Booby-trapped with 2 smoke grenade fuzes (578268), will destroy

35

0940

Brigade:  Sniff readings - Alpha readings locations (650210, 643233, 643230, 643240)

36

0945

Locations:  1st Co 4/49 (584214), 2nd Co 2/49 and 2/10 Cav (615243), D Co 2nd platoon (570258) 3rd platoon (578268)

37

1025

B Co kicked off ballgame 60 minutes ago

38

1030

B Co requests routine Medevac for 1 US ambulatory, heat cramps (570193)

39

1040

C Co inbound to Cu Chi for stand down

40

1050

Locations:  B Co (570193), D Co 2nd platoon (570259), 3rd platoon (577266), 1st Co 4/49 (584214), 2nd Co 2/49 and 2/10 Cav (615243)

41

1050

D Co 2nd platoon found 12 90mm tank rounds, not fired, powder removed, lot number RVA-35-30-XB (570259)

42

1111

Medevac 150 on station, complete 1115 hours to 25th Med

43

1120

B Co found small anti-personnel mine, pressure-type (569192), will destroy

44

1140

D Co found 155mm round, negative booby-trap or lot number (567258)

45

1155

Locations:  D Co 2nd platoon (568258), 3rd platoon (576264), B Co (567192), 2nd Co 2/49 at night laager, 1st Co 4/49 (584214), 2/10 Cav (618236)

46

1225

B Co found 2 hooches, ammo can inside one hooch, can had 2 baseball-type grenades and 16 blasting caps as well as a change of clothes within.  (567194), will destroy

47

1245

Locations:  D Co 2nd platoon (568269), 3rd platoon (576266), B Co (567194), 2nd Co 2/49 at night laager, 2/10 Cav (619224), 1st Co 4/49 (589194)

48

1247

D Co found bunker 4x6x4 2 ft overhead cover, negative findings (567258), will destroy

49

1305

B Co found ammo can booby-trapped with tripwire and stick, could be either tripped or pressure type, large ammo can.  (567194), will destroy

50

1315

2nd Brigade Avn 3 on station

51

1316

Brigade:  Air strike (638305), cleared

52

1320

D Co found RPG warhead and butterfly bomb, negative booby-trap, (567258), will blow in place

53

1340

D Co found one bunker 4x4x4 2 ft overhead cover with 6 ft tunnel, negative findings (567268), will destroy

54

1340

Locations:  All units same as last

55

1400

1/5th (Mech) inserting 4 ships (563188) investigating 4 male individuals 116th RVN reported taking evasive action

56

1410

B Co location obj-B (577190)

57

1411

Brigade:  Air strike (653237), cleared

58

1425

A Co departing what was PB Dong Tien

59

1440

D Co found 155 round white phosphorous, possible booby-trap, found sticking in dike (573263), will blow

60

1440

Locations:  A Co Trung Lap, B Co closed Patton, D Co 2nd platoon (573263), 3rd platoon closed Hunsley, 2nd Co 2/49 and 2/10 Cav and 1st Co 2/49 closed Trung Lap, 1st Co 2/49 closed Trung Lap 1300 hours

61

1512

CRIP kicked off on ballgame

62

1520

A Co closed fire support base Patton

63

1525

LNO:  1st Co 2/49 just departed night laager, all material removed except for 20 rolls concertina wire

64

1530

CRIP spotted 1 VC 400 meters away, running southwest to northeast (595227), request LST

65

1535

D Co closed Hunsley

66

1535

Brigade:  A Forward Air Control aircraft is available for use rather than using LST for working with CRIP

67

1627

CRIP engaged 2 VC (593220), negative results, negative return fire, 800 meters to the south

68

1715

D Co 1 platoon departed for 360-degree recon

69

1720

Sitrep:  A) D Co  B) Found 1 dud 4.2 round  C) 60 degrees, 300 meters from wire (597272)  D) Negative booby-trap or lot number  E) Will destroy

70

1725

Sitrep:  A) CRIP  B) Found trap door booby-trapped with 155mm round with trip wire  C) 587232  D) Will continue to search

71

1755

B Co and 1 Co 4/49 AO request 0600-1800 20 Oct 69 (597259-565238-593170-626190)

72

1816

D Co NCP-Mike kick-off

73

1831

CRIP closed Trung Lap

74

1836

A Co NCP-1 (11 US), NCP-2 (12 US) kicked off

75

1905

2/49 NCP's for LNO:  585212, 591209, 595220, 600202, 585218, 590200, 586206, 540206, 582200, 597203

76

1905

Negative AMC from 21 Oct 69

77

1915

Request 2 clearances for 1st Inf Div for troop support, A) 19/1800-20/0600 4751 to 6630, 1000 meter radius buffer zone along river, B) Center mass 549326, 593301, 566305

78

1939

2/12th NCP located at 556240

79

1939

From LNO:  ARVN NCP moved from 582200 to 585198

80

1944

D Co NCP-M in position 602264

81

1945

A Co NCP-1 & 2 in position (1-586185), (2-518200)

82

1919

[Late Entry] Cu Chi Sub Sector NCP at 573169

83

2015

Electric fence turned on

84

2045

Duffle Bag CZ 1322, medium activation XT57291796, VE reconned

84A

2029

From LNO:  B Co 2/14 LD 0700 (588203) obj-11 (582212), obj-12 (576220), obj-13 (579229), obj-14 (584225), return to Trung Lap.  1st Co 4/49th (38 Lima) LD 0700 (597202), obj-1 (603200), 1 platoon to obj-2 (612204), to obj-3 (614193), to obj-5 (610190), to obj-6 (707180), obj-7 (601181), obj-8 (596188), return to Trung Lap.  1 platoon from obj-1 to obj-4 (602193), to obj-5, to obj-7, to obj-8, to Trung Lap

85

2031

From LNO:  2 Co, 3 Co, HHC, 2/49 (50) depart Trung Lap 0700 (597219), recon to obj-A (599229), obj-B (601237), obj-C (600242), obj-D (592244), 1 Co recon to obj-E (586248), to obj-F (577237), to obj-H (588232), return to Trung Lap.  3rd Co recon to obj-G (585244).  1st Co 2/49 2nd Recon, PF, RF, 2/10 Cav on stand down

86

2040

TPS-25 Radar pickups reported:  582246 (1935 hours) 1 motorcycle moving north, fired 18  105mm high explosive rounds; 583248 (1041) 2-3 individuals moving north, fired 18 105mm high explosive rounds; 583250 (1956) 2-3 individuals moving north, fired 18 105mm high explosive rounds; 583248 (2020) 4-5 individuals moving north, fired 30 105mm high explosive rounds and 18 CS rounds

87

2100

AO request 200600-201800 Oct from 6238 to 6117 to 600175 to AO boundary.  Buffer zone.

88

2120

TPS-25 Radar pickups reported:  58482474 (2051), 2-3 individuals moving north, fired 54 105mm high explosive rounds;  58542446 (2100), 3-4 individuals moving west, fired 108 105mm high explosive rounds.

89

2200

Sitrep negative

90

2209

Hunsley reports round landed outside wire 100 meters azimuth 45 degrees from bunker 2.  NCP-M reports muzzle flash 60 degrees azimuth 400 meters from their location, vicinity 607274.  81mm mortars fired 38 rounds 81mm high explosive

91

2215

NCP-1 spotted movement about 100 meters from their position on an azimuth of 350 degrees.  Bunker line had just spotted movement to A Co also.  Tower notified to observe area and report findings, but had none.  Negative radar pickup.  Patrol lost sight of movement.

92

2230

From 1/5th (Mech):  82 Airborne AO request 20/0600 to 22/0600 6623 north and east to the Brigade boundary

93

2300

Sitrep - negative

94

2315

From Brigade:  LOH confirmations for 20 October:  0630 - taxi for Lt. Fielding to Cu Chi; 0945-1015 - taxi for Commo from Patton to Hunsley; 0945-1015 VR for Major Heller; 1030-1115 VR for Major Chadrue; 0810 - taxi for Major Chadrue from Warrior Pad to Duc Hua; 1615-1700 VR for ARLO and S-2; 1615 - taxi for Capt. Branch, CO, A Co from Patton to Hampton

95

2323

Radar pickup:  573179 3-4 individuals moving southwest, from Venice East radar, unable to fire, no-fire zone

96

2330

A Co reports bunker line spotted movement between Patton and Venice East.  Alerted radar at Venice East and Trung Lap, starlight scopes at Venice East and Patton, Q-4 radar at Patton.  Requested 4.2 illumination and Nighthawk.  A Co wanted to confirm location of NCP-q before firing 81mm mortar in area.

97

2400

Summary:  A Co and 1st Co 2/49th disassembled PB Dong Tien today, then reconned to Trung Lap where A Co was picked up and trucked to Patton.  B Co conducted a search in the vicinity of Lao Qao utilizing mine detectors and probes.  Found and destroyed one anti-personnel mine, a booby-trapped ammo can, 2 baseball grenades, 16 blasting caps, clothing, 2 hooches.  C Co departed Patton for 2-day stand down in Cu Chi.  D Co conducted search of area between Sa Nho (2) and Bau Soi (2), found and destroyed 3 155 booby traps, 1 4.2 round (dud), 12 90mm tank rounds, 1 RPG warhead, 1 butterfly bomb, 2 bunkers.  CRIP conducted VCI activities in vicinity of Trung Lap.  Spotted 3 VC and engaged them, but they fled.  Found a trap door booby-trapped with 155mm round.  ARVN's conducted security operations in support of voting activities in Trung Lap area.  1 Duffle Bag activation near Venice East tonight, reconned with M-60 in vicinity.  TPS-25 radar at Trung Lap had 6 pickups concentrated near Bau Soi (1) and engaged them with artillery.  Hunsley reported 1 round impacting northeast at 100 meters from the wire, their NCP-M believed it came from southeast about 1500 meters from Hunsley.  Reacted with 81mm mortar fire in the suspect area.  A Co reported movement between Patton and Venice East.  Negative findings by radar, starlight or Nighthawk.  A Co sent out 2 NCP's, D Co 1 NCP, ARVNs 10 NCPs in the Trung Lap area.

98

2400

Log closed