[0809-71.CM 02/29/96]
[NETWORK NOTE: This document was scanned and retyped to make it an ASCII file.
The Block format of a USG document was altered to just "text")
REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
DECLASSIFIED PER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12356, SECTION 3.3, NND PROJECT
NUMBER NN8937 597, BY RB1VSW, DATE 1/23/96
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Note: This Document contains information affecting the national defense of the
United States within the meaning of the espionage laws. Title 18, U.S.C., Sec
793 and 794. The transmission or revelation of its contents in any manner to an
unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
CONFIDENTIAL
This report contains unprocessed information. Plans and/or policies should not
be evolved or modified solely on the basis of this report.
1. COUNTRY: VS, THUA THIEN Province 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0809 71
2. SUBJECT: (U) US PW Sighting in 9. DATE OF REPORT: 27 Jul 71
THUA THIEN Province, RVN (handwritten-W31437)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 4
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G3
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Mar 67 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS
20 Jul 71
13. PREPARED BY: ARTHUR A. BOULETTE
SP4, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: Returnee Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED)
PAUL G. SPERO
LTC, USA
Dir, US Elm, CMIC
15. SUMMARY
(C) This report contains information concerning the sighting of one US
PW in THAU THIEN Province, RVN, to include circumstances of sighting,
description, clothing worn by the PW, physical condition, personal
inforation, capture data, and evacuation procedures. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT
REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC.
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: TRAN VAN TU (TRAANL, VEAN TUWS), CMIC 0269-71
b. Rank: CPT
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: XO; 2d Co, 804th Inf Bn, HUE
City Unit
d. DPOB: 1945; THIEN LOC Village, CAN LOC District, HA TINH
Province, NVN
16. DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR:
DIA 1 cy
DIRNSA 1 cy
SAC 1 cy
CINPAC 1 cy
CINPAC AF 2 cys
CINCUSARPAC 2 cys
COMUSMACTHAI 1 cy
MACJ212-2 2 cys
MACJ213-1 1 cy
MACJ23 1 cy
MACJ231 10 cys
17. DOWNGRADING DATA: GROUP 3
DOWNGRADED AT 12 YEAR INTERVALS NOT AUTOMATICALLY DECLASSIFIED
THIS DOCUMENT IS RELEASEABLE TO REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM AND FREE WORLD
MILITARY ASSISTANCE FORCES
18: ATTACHMENT DATA: None
Aug 30 1971
Page 2 of 4
e. Parents' Names: Father, TRAN VAN HANG (TRAANL, VEAN HEANGL),
deceased; Mother, VO THI NIEM (VOX, THIV NIEEM), living
f. Circumstances of Return. On 8 Mar 71, Source went to LOC AN
Village, PHU LOC District, THUA THIEN Province, on his regular visit to the
village to buy rice for his unit. Source decided that it was an opportune time
to carry out his previous plans to take advantage of the CHIEU HOI Program,
and therefore he rallied to an unidentified ARVN unit in the area. Source
turned in one K-54 pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition at the time he rallied.
g. Significant Activities:
(1) DOB to Oct 65. Source attended village and district
schools near his POB from 1955 to 19620 On 22 Jun 629 Source was drafted into
the NVA., and assigned to the 2d Co, 8th Bn, 18th Regt, 325th Inf Div, in LOC
NINH District (sic), QUANG BINH Province, NVN. While with this unit, Source
received one year of basic training. In Jan 64 Source was reassigned to the 2d
Co, 804th Inf Bn, HUE City Unit (NFI). The battalion reviewed training in
preparation for infiltration until Jun 64. From-Jun to Sep 64, the unit
infiltrated to QUANG TRI Province, RVN, in a series of small moves accompanied
by frequent rests. From Sep 64 to Apr 65, the battalion carried out many
successful attacks on ARVN outposts in TRIEU PHONG and CAM LO (VC) Districts,
QUANG TRI Province. In Apr 659 the unit moved to HAI LANG District, QUANG TRI
Province, to continue attacking outposts. In Jun 65, the battalion moved to
HUONG HOA District, QUANG TRI Province, to gain control of Highway 9. The
battalion stayed there until Oct 65. (2) Oct 65 to Date of Return. In Oct 65,
the unit moved to the BA LONG area, TRIEU PHONG District, QUANG TRI Province.
It remained there, attacking small ARVN units in the area, until Jan 67. In
Jan 67, the battalion moved to PHONG DIEN District, THUA THIEN Province. At
this time, Source was promoted to assistant platoon leader of the 3d Plat, 2d
Co, 804th Inf Bn. The battalion continued operations throughout THUA THIEN
Province, frequently attacking Allied units and periodically attacking HUE
City. In Jan 68, Source was promoted to executive officer of the 2d Co, 804th
Inf Bn. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the battalion participated in massive
attacks on HUE City, and subsequently returned to PHONG DIEN District, THUA
THIEN Province. In Nov 68, Source was promoted to commanding officer of the 2d
Co, 804th Inf Bn. In early 1969, the battalion moved to the jungle areas of
PHU LOC District, THUA THIEN Province. The unit remained in this area for the
remainder of the time Source was with the unit. In Jul 70, Source was promoted
to executive officer of the 804th Infantry Battalion. Source was still in this
position at the time he rallied.
h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; 525th HI
Group PW Photo Album, dtd 10 Nov 68
Page 3 of 4
2. PW Sighting in THUA THIEN Province, RVN:
a. Circumstances of Sighting. In Jul 67, while on his way to the
Surgical Station, 804th Bn, HUE City Unit, for treatment of a chest wound,
Source passed one US PW being escorted by two VC guards. The guards were
guerrillas from PHU DA Village, PHU VANG District, THUA THIEN Province
(hearsay). The sighting lasted for about an hour because the two groups
traveled on the same trail for a few kilometers. At this time, Source was
being carried on a hammock by four men from the 804th Battalion. The two
guards were armed with M-2 carbines and were traveling on foot. The PW was not
bound in any way.
b. Description of PW:
(1) Identification:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Unknown; unknown
(c) Nationality: American (assumed)
(d) Physical Description:
1 Height: 1.70m
2 Weight: 80kg
3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Unknown; unknown
4 Race: Negro
5 Complexion: Dark
6 Hair: Very short and curly
7 Nose: Large and curved
8 Scars: Unknown
9 Tattoos: Unknown
10 Birthmarks: Unknown
11 Build: Medium
12 age: 30
13 Glasses Worn: None
14 Rings and Watches: None; none
Page 4 of 4
(2) Clothing Worn by PW. The PW wore Jungle fatigues and
jungle combat boots. Source did not notice any rank or insignia on the uniform
of the PW.
(3) Physical Condition. Source stated that the physical
condition of the PW appeared to be good. He did not notice any bloodstains or
bandages on the PW.
(4) Personal Information. Source could not provide any
personal information concerning the PW.
(5) Capture Data. The PW was captured while walking in HUE
City ( hearsay). Source did not know the exact location of the capture, nor
did he know how many men had been involved.
c. Evacuation Procedures. During the time that Source traveled with
the PW, the PW was traveling on foot. Source did not know where the PW was
being taken.
d. Photo Identification. Source was shown the US PW Photo Album, but
could not make any identification from these photographs.
e. General Information. The following is a description of the
interrogator, as given by Source. It is submitted for comparative purposes.
Estimated Actual
Height 1.80m 1.94m
Age 26 23
Weight 70kg 80kg
Build Large Medium
Comments: Source was cooperative and appeared to be of average
intelligence. Current OB holdings do not mention the HUE City Unit. They show
the parent unit of the 804th Inf Bn to be the 5th NVA Regiment. However, an
aka for the 5th NVA Regiment is the HUE City Group 5.
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