[0826-71.cm 02/25/96]
[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: CB; SVAY RIENG Province 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0826 71
2. SUBJECT: (U) PW Sighting in SVAY 9. DATE OF REPORT: 2 Aug 71
RIENG Province, CAMBODIA (handwritten-W31437)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 4
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G3
BRIGHT LIGHT
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Feb or Mar 69 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS
16 Jul 71
13. PREPARED BY: GREGORY T. HSU
SP5, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: PW 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 two
US PW in Feb or Mar 69 in SVAY RIENG Province, CAMBODIA, to include the
circumstances of the sighting, physical description of the PW,
evacuation procedures, and photo identification. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT
REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC.
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: NGUEYN VAN THOI (NGUYEENX, VEAN THOWIL), CMIC 0231-71
b. Rank: None (VC)
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Asst Plat Ldr; 1st Plat, 12th
Co, D-6 Bn, F-55 Regt, 9th Div
d. DPOB: 1945; THUAN HUNG Village, LONG MY District, CHUONG THIEN
Province, RVN
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
Page 2 of 4
e. Parents' Names: Father, NGUYEN VAN CHUNG NCUYEENX, VEAN CHUNG),
deceased; Mother, NGUYEN THI HAY (NGUYEENX, THIV BAYR), living
f. Circumstances of Capture. On 25 Feb 71, the F-55 Regt, 9th Div,
ambushed an unidentified ARVN supply convoy in the HAM BE jungle area, KOMPONG
CHAM Province, CAMBODIA. The next day, Source and three other,s went to
reconnoiter near the ARVN convoy and were sighted by the ARVN troops. Source's
companions were killed, and he tried to surrender. Source raised his arms,
but was shot and taken prisoner.
g. Significant Activities. In 1958, Source attended the village school at
his POB for sex months. He quit school and went to work with his parents on
the family rice paddy until 1965. In Aug 65, Source joined the local VC.
From early Aug to early Nov 65, Source and about 100 new recruits walked to
BINH DUONG Province, RVN. Upon arriving, Source received no training, but was
assigned as a carrier to the B-9 Rear Service Station, C-1 Military Staff, 9th
Div. In Jul 67, Source was promoted to assistant squad leader, in Dec 69 to
squad leader and in late Sell 7O to assistant platoon leader. These
promotions did not bring about a change of jobs. On 29 Sep 70, he was sent to
the Platoon Cadre Training School, 9th Div (aka Z-30 Battalion Platoon Cadre
School), for three months. In early Jan 71, Source was assigned as assistant
platoon leader of the 1st Plat, 12th Co, D-6 Bn, F-55 Regt, 9th Div. He
remained with the unit until his DOC, on 25 Feb 71.
h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; Map:
CAMBODIA, AMS Series L7016, Sheets 6131 I and 6131 II, Edition 1, dtd 1965,
Scale 1:50,000, 525 MI Gp PW Photo Album, dtd 10 Nov 68
2. (C) PW Sighting in SVAY REING Province, CAMBODIA:
a. Circumstances of Sighting. In Feb or Mar 69, Source was on a food
purchasing mission going to a Vietnamese settlement in BO HUC area, CAMBODIA
(exact location unknown). Source saw two PW being led by five VC guards,
walking on an ox-cart trail between YOM GIUA Village (WT969696), TAY NINH
Province, NVN, and Hwy 1 in SVAY RIENG Province, CAMBODIA (Source thought the
group was still in CAMBODIA.) Some of the five VC guards were armed (NFI).
Source saw the PW for about three minutes from a distance of about six
meters. The PW did not seem to have been maltreated by their captors. The PW
were loosely bound by the elbows, were barefoot, and were blindfolded. The two
PW were separated by two VC guards. one of the PW, who had a dark complexion,
was Philippino (hearsay from another bystander) (NFI). The PW were heading
towards XOM GIUA Village (WT969696) in TAY NINH Province, RVN.
b. Description of PW:
(1) Identification:
(a) Names: Unknown
Page 3 of 4
(b) Ranks and Branch of Service: Unknown
(c) Nationality: US (hearsay)
(d) Physical Decription:
1 PW No 1:
Height: 1 1.80m
Weight: 85kg
Color of Hair and Eyes: Hair, black; eyes, not
visible
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: Dark
Hair Length: Medium
Nose: Not visible under blindfold
Scars: None visible
Tattoos: None visible
Birthmarks: None visible
Build: Husky
Age: 26 (estimate)
Eyeglasses: None seen
2 PW No 2:
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 70kg
Color of Hair and Eyes: Hair, black; eyes, not
visible
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: Medium
Hair Length: Medium
Nose: Not visible under blindfold
Scars: None visible
Page 4 of 4
Tattoos: None visible
Birthmarks: None visible
Build: Husky
Age: 26 (estimate)
Glasses: None seen
Rings/Watches: None seen
(2) Clothing Worn by PW: The clothing of both PW resembled US Army
noncamouflaged tropical fatigues. The clothing of PW No 2 was noticeably
more faded than the clothing of PW No 1.
(3) Physical Condition: The PW appeared uninjured and healthy.
c. Evacuation Procedures. Source knew nothing about the evacuation
procedures involved.
d. Photo Identification. Source examined the US PW Photo Album but could
make no positive identification because the faces of the PW were only
partially exposed.
(C) COMMENTS: Source scored Low (10) on the Cross cultural IQ Test. He was in
pain and appeared to be in very poor health. He was cooperative, and his
replies to control questions were consistent.
[Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]