Daily Staff Journal  15-Nov-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 Courtney Rittgers, S3 Maj. Dexter Branscome, S3 Air Cpt Thomas Waldera, S1 Cpt Anthony Barone, S2 Cpt William Branch, S4 Cpt Robert Scheifele, S5 Michael Collier

Locations:  FSB Patton XT583194, PB Hunsley XT596270, Venice East XT577183, Trung Lap XT593214.

Ballgame:
   A Co (-) 1 9-ship lift PZ Hunsley 0815 hours C/A LZ-3 (614296), recon to and search 200 meter radius of location (616296), be prepared to react on order to targets of opportunity, PZ approx. 1600 hours from location to be announced.  Return to Hunsley, conduct 1 NCP vic. PB
   B Co (-) prepare for Bushmaster operations, 2 9-ship lift PZ Patton, 1st lift 1300 hours, 2nd lift 1330 hours, C/A LZ-5 (588293), conduct Bushmaster operations
   C Co (-) 1 9-ship lift PZ Patton 0730 hours C/A LZ-1 (618312), recon to (618310), search along stream north to (618317).  Be prepared to react on order to targets of opportunity.  PZ approx. 1530 hours from location to be announced.  Return to Patton.  One platoon occupy Venice East and tower at Patton, conduct road sweeps on 7A from Trung Lap to Highway 1 0645 hours
   D Co returns from OpCon to 3/4 Cav, to FSB Patton, conduct 2 NCP's vic. Patton
   2 Co 2/49 (-) 1 9 ship lift PZ 0755 hours from Trung Lap C/A LZ-2 (618309), search area 200 meter radius of location (618306).  Be prepared to react on order to targets of opportunity.  PZ approx. 1545 hours form location to be announced.  Return to Trung Lap:  Targets - Alternates, A-(605289), B-(624298), C0(638265)
   3 Co 2/49th  LD 0700 hours (579195), recon to obj-A (568203), obj-B (561208), obj-C (555212), obj-D (560219), split, one element move to obj-E (567217), obj-H (575210), RP (583197), one element to obj-F (565212), obj-G (570208), RP (583197), return to Trung Lap

02

0046

Hunsley radar (580273) picked up 1-2 individuals moving northwest, fired 6 high explosive 105mm rounds

03

0100

Sitrep - negative

04

0200

Sitrep - negative

05

0300

Sitrep - negative

06

0300

Duffle Bag activations:  0237 hours CZ 1416 (652237) heavy fired 12 rounds high explosive 105mm;  0237 hours CZ 1417 (656241) heavy, fired 12 rounds high explosive 105mm.

07

0315

CRIP - Trung Lap received 2 rounds incoming and small arms fire.  Not receiving fire at this time, counter-mortar fire being employed, rounds believed to have come from the north.  Q-4 and TPS-25 scanning the area

08

0345

Trung Lap radar (553230) picked up 4-5 individuals moving west, negative clearance to fire

09

0400

Sitrep - negative

10

0500

Sitrep - negative

11

0530

Fence turned off (R.H.)

12

0623

CRIP Checkpoint kick-off

13

0658

116th Avn 3 C&C on station

14

0659

A Co NCP for tonight (612268), 20 men, call sign AP-1

15

0700

B Co NCP-J1 closed Patton

16

0702

Brigade requested air strike in grid (635300), cleared

17

0703

B Co NCP-B1 closed

18

0705

C Co road sweeps departed on Highway 7A

19

0705

A Co NCP closed Hunsley

20

0720

Brigade:  25th Avn free fire zone 150700 to 151800 6428 south to 6426 to Brigade boundary

21

0728

2nd Brigade Avn 1 on station for taxi

22

0735

Sergeant Major:  116th Avn taking first north of planned LZ-3 location (614313)

23

0740

C Co airborne from Patton 0734 hours, down green (619311) 0740 hours

24

0755

2nd Co 2/49 airborne from Trung Lap 0749 hours (618307), down green 0755 hours

25

0800

CRIP CPs in position (601213, 595220, 596227)

26

0810

Sniff Box 150830-151130 (6128-6124-6324-6328)

27

0813

C Co ballgame change, moving to location  (614311), area where 116th Avn took fire

28

0817

A Co airborne Hunsley 0811 hours, down green (614296) 0817 hours

29

0822

Brigade:  3/4 Cav LST - ETA 15-20 minutes

30

0830

Brigade AO request (614311, 611316, 607310) 150700-151800

31

0840

LNO:  3rd Co 2/49 at obj-A (568203)

32

0845

Brigade:  55 blade hours available today, 15 Nov 69

33

0845

S-3:  At 0845 hours, 18 hours 30 minutes blade time by 116th Avn

34

0847

Battalion Commander:  C&C ship to Cu Chi to refuel, gunships on station

35

0856

C Co:  Road clear from Trung Lap to Highway 1

36

0856

Brigade:  Alpha reading (631237)

37

0900

3/4 Cav 44 LST on station

38

0914

C Co location (613313)

39

0915

Commo 2/14:  QSL ARVN Report 2315Z

40

0923

C Co found 2 sets of complete web gear, ammo included, 2 AK-47, location (613313), also destroyed 1 bunker, 20 lbs salt.  Found 1 poncho

41

0924

S-3:  Engaging 1 communist in the open (611313)

42

0929

2nd Co 2/49 location (616306), 3 VC body count, 2 AK, continuing to search

43

0935

116th Avn has 1 body count location (613314)

44

0936

Brigade:  VR will be 15 min. early

45

0937

3/4 Cav 44 found numerous bunkers, trench line at (623256)

46

0955

3/4 Cav 13 has individual taking evasive action at (620275), 1 body count

47

1001

Brigade S-3 Air - 20 minute extension to insert A Co

48

1005

2nd Brigade Avn 1 on station for VR

49

1013

C Co found tunnels 3x4x7, 3 dish pans, 1 poncho liner, 1 pistol belt, 1 canteen with cup and cover, 4 ponchos, 1 set water wings, 1 claymore pouch (613313)

50

1013

C Co found tunnel 7x12x12, 1 helmet, 1 pair sandals, 3 ammo cans, 1 water can, 2 cans salt, 4 ponchos, 1 GI bush hat, set VC clothes, fish in ammo can, 1 coke can, 1 fresh fire, 1 can chewing tobacco, 40 lbs rice and 3 cans of rice, 2 B-40 rounds

51

1015

A Co airborne from (616296) at 1015 hours, down green at (614314) 1023 hours

52

1022

Battalion CO:  1 body count in stream at (617314)

53

1028

S-3:  Blade hours 26 hours and 35 minutes at 1030 hours, AMC released

54

1028

3rd Co 2/49 at location (555212)

55

1029

CRIP:  New CP location (587222), moved from (595220)

56

1047

Brigade:  Extension on LOH approved till 1200 hours

57

1100

Brigade:  AO request for 1GR approved

58

1106

3/4 Cav 44 LST on station

59

1120

CRIP all elements closed

60

1120

CRIP 32 flags at (595219), 2 flags at (601213), 18 flags at (595225)

61

1123

C Co found 1 booby-trap butterfly with smoke type detonator and trip wire (611313)

62

1125

3/4 Cav 44 engaging 1 person hiding in bushes (605243), 1 body count.

63

1140

CRIP will conduct 1 NCP roving patrol to (594230) from 1900 to 2200 hours.  2 snipers with patrol, 1 in tower

64

1140

CRIP 0600 to 1100 conduct checkpoints (1) 598203, (2) 588213, (3) 587227

65

1150

116th Avn on station

66

1150

FAC 27 on station

67

1150

FAC 27 on station [This line item was duplicated in the original, not my typo]

68

1153

3/4 Cav 44 off station

69

1215

C Co found tunnels 3x3x15, NVA canteen, 4x3 opening, booby-trap with 3 Chicom hand grenades (611313)

70

1231

Brigade requested clearance for air strike in grid (640290) at 1300 hours, cleared

71

1302

2nd Co 2/49 airborne from (618307) 1255 hours, down green at (609243) 1302 hours

72

1317

3rd Co 2/49 location (660219)

73

1331

B Co 1st lift airborne Patton 1308 hours, down green (589293) at 1313 hours, 2nd lift airborne Patton 1324, down green (589293) at 1331 hours.

74

1343

3/4 Cav:  D Co enroute to this location

75

1400

LNO:  3rd Co 2/49 (567217 and 565212)

76

1403

2nd Brigade Avn 2 on station

77

1406

C Co airborne from (611310) at 1404, down green (629300) 1406 hours

78

1415

S-3:  At (611318) had 1 confirmed body count.  further observation shows total of 6 communist body count

79

1415

S-3:  At 1415 hours blade hours were 60 hours plus 30 minutes

80

1420

LNO:  3rd Co 2/49 (570208, 575210)

81

1420

S-2:  General Henderson is at Patton

82

1425

3/4 Cav 44 has 1 body count at (609243)

83

1450

Brigade:  General Henderson departed Patton, discussed plans for this period during the rice harvest also possibility of burning areas as they dry out

84

1500

D Co closed Patton

85

1500

C Co found small tunnel with 100 lbs of polished rice (625300), will blow

86

1516

3rd Co 2/49 closed Trung Lap

87

1517

QSL for messages:  CRIP ballgame 0510Z, NCP Report 0509Z, Daily Sniper Report 0508Z, Daily Sniper Activity 0507Z, Eagle Eye 0506Z, Ready Reaction Force 0505Z

88

1523

Locations:  A Co (610312), C Co (625300), 2nd Co 2/49 (613253)

89

1535

116th Avn 92 on station

90

1535

116th Avn 3 on station as C&C ship

91

1545

C Co found tunnel containing 1 shovel, 1 jacket, 8 bowls, 2 canteens, 1 cup, 50 AK rounds, 1 can salt, 20 medicine pills and some VC clothes (625300)

92

1557

116th Avn has 1 body count (618312)

93

1614

C Co airborne at 625330 1609 hours, down green at Patton 1614 hours.

94

1629

2nd Co 2/49 airborne at (613253) 1626 hours, down green at Trung Lap 1629 hours

95

1640

AMC released at 1630, 81 hours, 25 minutes blade hours

96

1645

B Co Bushmaster locations:  3rd Platoon (585285), 2nd Platoon & CP (582287), 1st Platoon (583292)

97

1720

LNO:  AO requests 16/0800 to 16/1800 (590234-590210-617210-617234), 1st Co 2/49 LD 0800 (593219), recon to obj-A (598227), obj-B (609229), obj-C (614220), obj-D (606215), return to Trung Lap

98

1745

LNO:  ARVN AP's 595218, 599205, 597208, 585215, 590208, 585206, 589201, 592204, 595200

99

1800

D Co AP-2 azimuth 300 degrees, 1100 meters

100

1835

A Co NCP departed

101

1840

Battalion XO:  B Co NCP-L (CP) in contact

102

1855

CRIP:  3 snipers to go with CRIP NCP tonight

103

1905

CRIP NCP-YH departed

104

1905

Battalion XO:  B Co NCP-L spotted 4 individuals to their west at 100 meters moving to the southwest.  They got two body count, the other two individuals fled into a hedgerow.  They will remain in position and not sweep the area.  The NCP did not receive any fire.

105

1940

Brigade Duffle Bag CZ 1479 (580300) 1930 hours medium, fired 12 high explosive 105mm rounds, activation moving south

106

1950

Brigade:  Flack jackets and steel helmets will be worn from 1830 to 0730 hours.  All units notified.

107

1950

CRIP sprung ambush on 2 individuals to their rear at 500 meters.  One carrying AK-47.  Area swept with negative findings (591227)

108

1951

CRIP:  Tower sighted 8 individuals at (602227) moving south, fired 6 high explosive 4.2 rounds

109

2000

LNO:  AO request 16/0800-16/1800 (566219-580234-590234-590204-585199)  2nd Co 2/49 LD 0800 hours (587205), obj-11 (581211), obj-12 (576220), obj-14 (580228), obj-15 (587232), obj-16 (587223), return to Trung Lap.

110

2010

Trung Lap radar picked up (602227) 8-10 individuals moving south, fired 6 high explosive 4.2 rounds

111

2015

Brigade requested air strikes at (603300, 640290, 650285), time on target 2030 to 2130 hours 15 Nov.  Approved RRB

112

2020

D Co NCP-S departed

113

2020

CRIP sweep found one pair of Ho Chi Minh sandals

114

2025

LNO:  AP at (587220) spotted 7-8 individuals (582275), engaged with 81mm mortars

115

2100

CRIP NCP closed

116

2050

Fence turned on  (JW)

117

2125

D Co APs in position

118

2130

AO request from (576230) on AO boundary to (576263) on AO boundary all east to AO boundary 16/0600-16/1800

119

2200

Sitrep - negative

120

2205

AO requests to Brigade (570285 to 585310 to 603314) 16/0600 to 18/1500

121

2300

Sitrep - negative

122

2310

QSL for ARVN & US Ballgames 16 Nov

123

2400

Sitrep - negative

Summary: 
   At 0315 hours Trung Lap received two incoming rounds, there were no casualties.
   At 0735 shops from the 116th Avn took ground fire from 614313.  C Co heliborned from Patton to 619211 at 0740 hours.  2nd Co 2/49 went into (618307) at 0755 hours.  C Co moved to the area where 116th Avn took fire.  A Co moved from Hunsley to (614296) at 0817 hours.  C Co at 0923 hours found 2 sets of web gear, AK ammo, 2 AK-47s, destroyed a bunker, 20 lbs of salt (613313).  The C&C ship engaged an enemy soldier at 0924 hours vic. (611313).  2nd Co 2/49th ARVNs killed 3 VC and captured 2 AKs at (615306) at 0929 hours.  C Co at 1013 hours vic (613313) found a bunker containing numerous items of a personal nature, mainly clothing and web gear, also food, 2 B-40 rounds were also found.  At 1022 hours the battalion commander reported one body in the stream vic. (617314).  Gunships form the 3/4 Cav killed one VC at (605243).
   At 1415 hours vic (611318) the S-3 confirmed a six body count in the stream.
   From 1420 to 1450 hours General Henderson visited Patton.  He discussed plans for this period during the rice harvest.  There were also plans for burning areas as they dry out..
   C Co vic. (625300) at 1500 hours found 100 lbs of rice in a bunker and it was destroyed.  At 1545 another tunnel was discovered containing personal gear and AK ammo.
   The 116th Avn killed another enemy soldier at (618312) at 1557 hours.
   B Co on Bushmaster operations at (582287) killed 2 VC at 1840 hours.  At 1950 hours CRIP sniper killed 2 VC at (591227).

124

2400

Log closed