Daily Staff Journal  21-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, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Baron, S2 Cpt Michael Collier, S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 2Lt Andrew Moyer
Location:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgames:
   A Co (-) 1 platoon depart FSB Patton 0830 hours, recon to obj-A (579192), obj-B (575190), obj-C (571190), obj-D (591198), obj-E (580200), 1430 hours return to FSB.  1 platoon depart FSB 1630 hours, recon to obj-F (584188), obj-G (585181), obj-H (590184), obj-G (586181), obj-H (590184), obj-I (594188), obj-J (585187), return to FSB.  Prepare for OpCon to 3/4 Cav.
   B Co (-) depart FSB Patton 0730, recon to obj-10 (587190), made detail search of area (593184-596180-600182-596186) with mine detectors and prods, return to FSB 1400 hours, conduct 3 NCPs in vicinity of FSB.  1 platoon occupy Venice East and tower at FSB, conduct road sweep on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 0645 hours.
   C Co from stand down to PB Hunsley O/A (on or about) 1400, conduct 1 NCP vicinity PB.
   D Co (-) depart PB Hunsley 0530 hours, recon to obj-1 (590265), obj-2 (583265), obj-3 (587258), obj-4 (598259), obj-5 (602262), return to PB Hunsley.  Airlift to Cu Chi O/A 1400 hours, truck to FSB Patton
   CRIP:  VCI operations vicinity (595232) from 0500-0700 and (603212) 1700-1845 hours.
   Radar:  PPS-4 Venice East and FSB Patton
   4.2 Platoon (-) FSB Patton, 2 tubes Trung Lap
   All Companies 2/49th ARVN on stand down

02

0025

Shadow 62 on station to work in area (596270) PB Hunsley

03

0100

Sitrep - negative all stations 2/14

04

0113

Shadow 62 released

05

0153

Sitrep - negative all elements 2/14

06

0200

Air strike clearance requested XT663263 210600-211800, approved

07

0225

Hawk 02 on station to work around Hunsley

08

0300

Sitrep - negative all elements 2/14

09

0306

Hawk 02 departing station

10

0325

Radar pickup from Trung Lap XT62131989 3-4 individuals moving east 30 high explosive 105mm rounds fired, 18 CS

11

0305

[Late Entry] TPS-25 radar at Trung Lap.  At 1925 hours 21 Oct radar picked up 4-5 individuals moving north (58502566), fired 30 105mm high explosive

12

0400

Sitrep - negative

13

0438

D Cop NCP-J preparing to move back to Hunsley

14

0432

TPS-25 radar pickup XT59032521 5-6 individuals moving north, fired 30 105mm high explosive

15

0448

CRIP patrol departed Trung Lap for obj XT596233.  Looking for VC assassination squad

16

0500

Sitrep - negative

17

0455

D Co NCP-J closed Hunsley

18

0515

Received following confidential message tonight:  #X-10-071C, Subject: Plans Summary for 21 Oct 69;  #Unknown, Subject: 2nd Brigade Plans Summary Change #1 21 Oct 69; #X-10-072C, Subject:  FragOrd 11-69: Task Organization for Operation Early Snow

19

0525

Electric fence turned off

20

0537

D Co departed for ballgame

21

0625

D Co at 585265, CRIP at obj 596233

22

0645

A Co AP-1 closed Patton

23

0650

Brigade:  ARVN Report, A) ARVN  B) 6 Co  C) #1, #38  D-E-F negative;  A) RF  B) 1 Co  C) #31  D-E-F negative;  A) PF  B) 1 platoon  C-D-E-F negative

24

0650

A Co AP-2 closed Patton

25

0650

B Co reports road sweeps have departed

26

0655

CRIP in contact with 3-4 VC location (596226) due east, 50 meters, request LST

27

0700

3/4 Cav Avn on station for CRIP element

28

0710

CRIP follow up, heard sound in bushes as soon as it was light, they moved in to check area.  Began to receive fire from a hooch.  KC says 4 individuals all had AK-47s, they were wearing black pajamas.  Ran to the southeast.  Have found NVA pistol belt, AK vest with 3 full AK magazines, Chicom grenade, and first aid pouch with bandages.

29

0720

CRIP requests dog handler and tracker dog ASAP

30

0720

Locations:  D Co (585260), CRIP (596266), B Co kicked off on ballgame at this time

31

0725

B Co kicked off on ballgame

32

0740

CRIP:  Cancel dog request, will continue

33

0740

B Co location obj-10 (587190)

34

0745

Brigade:  AO Lobo given to 25th Avn Bn for FFZ from 210745 until 211800 hours

35

0808

2nd Brigade Avn 1 on station for taxi

36

0820

Locations:  B Co (594184), D Co (596269), CRIP (596226)

37

0830

A Co 3rd platoon kicked off ballgame

38

0835

Brigade:  Sniff Box (6124, 6324, 6328, 6128) from 0900 to 1100 hours

39

0838

Brigade:  Air mobile assets confirmed for DTG 220700-220900

40

0840

CRIP closed Trung Lap

41

0845

D Co found 2 old punji pits, masked by 4 sticks tied together, covered with bamboo mat and sod.  1 very old, not marked, not covered, also 2 note, 1 old, 1 new.  Have destroyed them (601260)

42

0848

A Co 3rd platoon (579192) obj-A

43

0855

D Co found 81mm, negative lot number or booby-trap, also 1 punji pit, old, not covered, will destroy (600261)

44

0910

B Co road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

45

0915

Locations:  A Co (575190), B Co (596183), D Co (600261)

46

0915

B Co found bunker 4x4x6 with 1 1/2 overhead cover and ammo can of 82mm fuzes nearby on top of ground.  Negative recent activity (596183), will blow

47

0920

LNO:  AO request 49th Regt. DTG 220600 to 221800 area (520224, 540180, 574180, 600220, 580225).  2/14th Inf portion approved, need clearance from 2/12 Inf and 1/5th (Mech).  Major Liem giving Major Branscome 1 company for 22 Oct 69, also 2/10 Cav will pick up D Co at Patton

48

0922

D Co closed Hunsley

49

0935

2/12 Inf:  AO request, extension to (5720) have 4 body count and in pursuit.  Granted, warned of A Co, A Co instructed to hold up

50

0942

A Co location obj-C (571190)

51

0945

B Co found 2 bunkers 4x5x6 with 1 ft overhead cover, negative findings, negative recent use (597183), will destroy

52

0955

Cu Chi Sub Sector:  Ballgame for today DTG 211000 to 211400 area (6123, 6121, 6223, 6221), 495 RFs and PFs

53

1000

2/12 Inf:  (575205) will be picked up later this AM and inserted into special AO

54

1012

Brigade:  Forward Air Controller requests to expend ordnance in vicinity (6230), approved

55

1020

Brigade:  3/4 Cav 42 off Cu Chi to check Alpha readings at location (622278) and (614266)

56

1028

3/4 Cav Avn 49 found 2 tunnel entrances, recent use last 12-18 hours, camouflaged, in area (615278), will fire on area

57

1050

Brigade:  3/4 Cav Avn received heavy ground fire, downed at (622278), 3/4 Cav Air Rifles are scrambling at this time

58

1055

D Co requests Medevac for Hunsley, 2 US litter, urgent, pilots of downed LOH brought in by Huey Cobra

59

1055

Brigade:  Medevac 154 ETA 10-15 minutes, passed to D Co

60

1100

D Co:  Cancel Medevac, helicopter picked up the 2 individuals

61

1110

D Co:  2 wounded were Medevaced, 1 was not.  3 personnel were from LOH, all taken to Cu Chi via Item 60

62

1125

116th Avn 3 on station as C&C ship

63

1135

A Co closed Patton

64

1135

B Co first lift airborne from (600183) at 1135 hours, down green Trung Lap at 1137 hours

65

1140

B Co 2nd lift airborne at 1140 hours from (600183), down green Trung Lap at 1144 hours

66

1150

S-3 Assistant:  FAC reports bunker and trench line near downed helicopter, trench possible escape for VC

67

1152

LNO:  AO request from now until 1400 hours (6021) grid square and use of 7A to get to it.  Approved

68

1200

B Co first lift from Trung Lap at 1200 hours, down green at (628279) at 1228 hours

69

1202

S-3:  Negative use for 25th Avn B Co, 116th Avn will be in area to cover insertions

70

1215

S-3:  116th Avn low on fuel, want LFT to come up and orbit till artillery prep is over.  Contact S-3 when on station

71

1232

B Co 2nd lift airborne from Trung Lap at 1232 hours, down green at (628279) at 1237 hours

72

1240

S-3:  AMC released

73

1250

B Co found 1 AK-47 and 1 magazine, also large amount of salt and rice strewn over ground (627278)

74

1120

[Late Entry] Brigade:  AS grid (686220) from now to 1800 hours

75

1252

2nd Brigade Avn 2 on station

76

1400

3/4 Cav Avn 51 Pipe Smoke complete

77

1440

B Co locations:  (624280) and (623285)

78

1516

116th Avn 3 on station for C&C ship

79

1523

S-3:  116th Avn are 5 blade hours over, their higher informed them not to fly.  Request for an extension of blade hours

80

1527

S-3:  Inform Brigade that Div ordered 116th Avn back to Cu Chi, negative means to extract B Co

81

1555

Brigade:  AO request for 49th Rgt. was approved as follows, area (520224-540180-574180-600224)

82

1414

[Late Entry] D Co and C Co up from Cu Chi - 1417 hours
C Co down Hunsley - 1420 hours
D Co up from Hunsley - 1426 hours
D Co down Cu Chi - 1429 hours
C Co up from Cu Chi - 1435 hours
C Co down from Hunsley - 1437 hours
D Co up from Hunsley - 1445 hours
D Co down Cu Chi - 1449 hours
C Co up from Cu Chi - 1455 hours
C Co down Hunsley - 1458 hours
D Co up from Hunsley - 1506 hours
D Co down Cu Chi - 1509 hours
C Co up from Cu Chi - 1515 hours
C Co down Hunsley - 1518 hours
D Co up from Hunsley - 1525 hours
D Co down Cu Chi - 1528 hours

83

1610

116th Avn 3 C&C ship on station

84

1625

D Co closed Patton

85

1625

CRIP kicked off on ballgame

86

1630

B Co 1st lift airborne from (623278) at 1630 hours, down Patton at 1638 hours

87

1635

Brigade:  A Co's OpCon to 3/4 Cav delayed 24 hours

88

1640

A Co 1st platoon kicked off 20 minutes ago for ballgame

89

1641

B Co 2nd lift airborne (623278) at 1641 hours, down green at Patton 1646 hours

90

1647

AMC released, 52 blade hours consumed at 1645 hours

91

1715

C Co NCP-1 site w/b 588268

92

1735

A Co 1st platoon closed Patton

93

1745

2/49 NCP's:  587214, 591208, 597220, 597210, 590222, 586207, 590204, 587202, 597205, 597201

94

1822

2/12 NCPs:  556213, 531217, 533219

95

1824

1/5th (Mech) NCP's:  608168, 612174

96

1825

CRIP closed Trung Lap

97

1830

Temperature max 95 degrees, min 78 degrees, humidity max 97%, min 49%

98

1835

C Co NCP-1 has departed Hunsley

99

1853

Menehune 5 on station

100

1855

A Co NCP 3&4 departed Patton

101

1904

CRIP Bushwhack for 22 Oct 0445-0700, XT598219 & 607219

102

1843

Ballgame 22 Oct Bn(-) 2/49:  LD 0700 (585200), recon to obj-1 (576208), obj-2 (567211), obj-3 (554212), obj-4 (536210), obj-5 (544202), obj-6 (549193), obj-7 (564187), RP at Patton, return to Trung Lap.  1 Co 2/49 LD 0600 588214, recon to obj-A (583212), obj-B (577219), obj-C (568218), obj-D (560213), obj-E (543216), obj-4 (536210), obj-5 (544202), obj-F (559201), obj-G (567196), RP at Patton, return to Trung Lap

103

1914

C Co NCP-1 in holding position at XT611268

104

1929

Hunsley radar 145 degrees 150 meters first at 200 meters, moving toward PB, engaging with 81mm mortar, 15 high explosive

105

1930

Ballgame change for 22 Oct:  Co A (-) depart FSB Patton 0800 to Trung Lap by truck, recon to obj-1 (598219), obj-2 (608219), setup 1 platoon-size blocking position from 613224-618227, 1 platoon search 200 meter radius from CM 618223, 1400 hours, recon to obj-2 and obj-1 to Trung Lap, truck to FSB.  B Co LZ-1 (610257) 0900 & 0915.  C Co LZ-2 (596252) 0930 & 0945 hours

106

1950

23 Oct 0730-1630: 2/14 has one-half of AMC, negative air for 24 Oct

107

1950

B Co NCP-1 depart Patton

108

1955

B Co NCP-2 depart Patton

109

1940

[Late Entry] NCP 3&4 600 meters 290 degree azimuth from Patton spotted 3 individuals 200 meters away, azimuth of 165 degrees.  Holding in place, firing 81mm illumination, will maneuver to attack if positive ID is made

110

2023

RF AP from Trung Lap in position at 598201, received several RPG or M-79 rounds.  VC suspected at 600190, 606200, 602197.  RF patrol pulled back into compound at Trung Lap.  60199 - saw hand flare

111

2035

B Co NCP-1 in position (595189), NCP-2 (585180).  A Co NCP-3 (577202), NCP-4 (577198)

112

2120

From LNO:  ARVN Regimental Commander will be at Patton at approx. 1000 hours 22 Oct 69 to discuss combined operations at Hunsley

113

2130

From Maj. Branscome:  Mini Cav comes with infantrymen.  Have CRIP plan alternative ballgame.  Ask XO to consider picking up night kits at Ann-Margaret gate. Cu Chi rather than having them brought in by Chinook.  XO prefers Chinook

114

2145

From CRIP:  Would like to insert platoon in conjunction with B or C Co tomorrow, leave stay-behind force to engage NVA/VC employing counter-sweep activities.  Bn Commander advises to use this as contingency plan.

115

2155

From 54:  Chinooks critical tomorrow.  Brigade will classify night kit for Task Force Fresh as combat essential tomorrow.  Other Chinooks for tomorrow are in jeopardy.  Will advise us as info becomes available

116

2200

Hunsley radar 595273, unknown number, stationary, fired 7 81mm high explosive

117

2200

TPS-25 Trung Lap:  1925 hours, 62102092, 4-5 individuals, moving north, 18 rounds 105mm CS and 30 round high explosive fired.  2043 hours, 55792636, 4-5 individuals, moving east, 18 105mm CS and 3 rounds 105mm high explosive fired;  2106 hours, 55202714, 5-6 individuals, moving north, fired 18 105mm CS and 30 high explosive rounds

118

2200

Sitrep - negative

119

2230

B Co NCP-2 new position 585185

120

2300

Sitrep - negative

121

2330

From Brigade:  Red Haze readings:  595240 1 individual; 606214 1 individual, 593242 1 individual, 587256 1 individual, 629275 11 in field, 588259 1 individual, 575219 1 individual

122

2400

Sitrep - negative

123

2400

Summary:  CRIP moved out on a Bushwhack operation at 0445 this morning and made contact with 3-4 VC about 0655, all were armed with AKs and fled, found AK vest with 3 magazines, Chicom hand grenade and 1st aid pouch.  D Co moved out on a search mission before dawn this morning to area southwest of Hunsley, destroyed 5 punji pits and 1 dud 81mm booby-trap.  C Co moved to Hunsley for stand down in Cu Chi and D Co moved to Patton.  Co A conducted 2 platoon-size operations today.  Morning sweep west of Patton, afternoon sweep southeast of Patton.  B Co made detailed search of area in vicinity of Gia Be with probing rods and mine detectors, destroyed 3 bunkers.  When LOH was shot down by ground fire in southern Ho Bo Woods, B Co was airlifted into the area.  They found a tunnel complex, 1 AK-47, fish, rice, salt and what appeared to be a booby-trap factory with large amounts of material.  C Co sent 1 NCP from Hunsley tonight.  A Co & B Co each sent 2 NCPs from Patton and the ARVNs had 9 NCPs in vicinity of Trung Lap.  2 radar pickups near Hunsley and 1 south of Xom Moi 1.  7 Red Haze readings.