[0853-71.cm 02/24/96] [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: VN, HAI HUNG Province 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0853 71 2. SUBJECT:(U) Sighting of 50 to 60 US 9. DATE OF REPORT: 18 Aug 71 PW in HAI HUNG Province, NVN (handwritten-L32064) 10.NO. OF PAGES: 7 3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G3 SICR: D-6C2-26423 BRIGHT LIGHT 4. DATE OF INFORMATION: May 66 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV 5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS 18 Jul 71 13. PREPARED BY: CARL K. DAVIS SP5, USA 6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6 7. SOURCE: Returnee Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED LaVern A. Gustafson, Maj for) PAUL G. SPERO LTC, USA Dir, US Elm, CMIC 15. SUMMARY (C) This report contains information concerning the sighting of 50 to 60 US PW who were repairing bomb damage in HAI HUNG Province, NVN, to include circumstances of sighting and description of PW. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC. 1. (C) Background Information: a. Name: NGUYEN DUY BINH (NGUYEENX, ZUY BINHS), CMIC 0312-71 b. Rank: SGT c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Asst chief; Military Personnel Section, J-95 Regt, Rear Service Office, T-7 d. DPOB: Sep 45; THANH HONG Village, THANH HA District, HAI HUNG 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 [stamped] THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS. TITLE 18 U.S.C., SECTIONS 793 AND 794. THE TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. Page 2 of 7 e. Parents' Names: Father, NGUYEN DUY BAT (NGUYEENX, ZUY BATV), deceased; Mother, PHUONG THI GHE (FUOWNGL, THIV GHER), living f. Circumstances of Return. Source submitted an application to go to an officer school, but he was turned down. The cadre suspected him of wanting to desert the unit to rally. On 29 Dec 70, the cadre sent out security guards, when Source was discovered missing. One of the security guards caught up with Source and an argument occurred. Source killed the guard and rallied at the DAC CAI Post, PHUONG LAM Village, DINH QUAN District, LONG KHANH Province, RVN. g. Significant Activities: (1) DOB to 2 Jan 68. From 1953 to 1957, Source attended his village school and then attended the THANH CUONG Village School, THANH HA District, HAI HUNG Province, NVN, from 1957 to 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he continued his studies at the TU KY District School, HAI HUNG Province. He then worked as a carpenter at his POB until he was drafted into the NVA in Sep 65. Source was assigned to the 15th Co, 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div, located in a jungle area of CHI LINH District, HAI HUNG Province. He worked as a clerk for the 15th Co, and during this period of time, he received basic infantry training three to four hours a day. Source then attended the administration training course for noncommissioned officers given by the cadre of the 320th Div in CHI LINH District, for 25 days. After the completion of this course, he was assigned as a clerk in the headquarters of the 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div. His work consisted of maintaining a list of the personnel and weapons of the battalion and submitting weekly and monthly reports to the Military Personnel Section, 8th Regt, 320th Div. He did this work until 2 Jan 68. (2) 2 Jan 68 to Apr 69. On 2 Jan 68, the 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div, wee designated the 297th Infiltration Group and, with an approximate strength of 600 men, left the jungle area of CHI LINH District, on foot. The group arrived in the KATUM area, CAMBODIA, in Jul 68. Source contracted malaria and was sent to the K-20 Hospital and then the K-30 Hospital, both located in the KATUM area. In Sep 68, he was released from the K-30 Hospital and assigned to the 3d Bn, A-57 Regt, R, located in the KATUM area. Source worked as a clerk in the 3d Bn Hq, where he maintained lists of the personnel and equipment of the battalion. In Oct 689 the A-57 Regt moved to PHUOC LONG Province, RVN, and conducted operations in this province until Dec 68, when the A-57 Regt moved to the BAO BINH area, PHUOC TUY Province. In Apr 69, Source was sent to the regimental dispeneary, where he was treated for jaundice until Jun 69. (3) Jun 69 to DOR. In Jun 69, Source was released from the A-57 Regiment Dispensary and was sent to the 80A Convalescent Group, 84th Rear Service, located along the DONG NAI River, LONG KHANH Province, where he rested for 20 days. He then worked as a clerk in the headquarters of the 80A Convalescent Group until Jan 70. Source was then assigned as the third assistant of the Military Personnel Page 3 of 7 Section, A-57 Regt, R, located on the ONG Mountain, BINH TUY Province. Source maintained records of the personnel and equipment of the entire regiment, and held this position until May 70. In May 70, while Source was on a rice-procurement mission, 0a group hit a Claymore mine. Source was taken to the A-57 Regiment Dispensary, where he was treated for shock for 17 days. In Jun 70, Source was sent to the 400th Convalescent Station located along the DA QUAY River, DINH QUAN District, LONG KHANH Province, where he rested for 15 days. He wee then assigned as assistant chief of the Personnel Section, J-95 Regt, Rear Service Office, T-7, located near the DA HOUAI Stream DINH QUAN District, LONG KHANH Province. The mission of the J-95 Regt was to provide supplies to the unite subordinate to T-7. Source worked in the Personnel Section until he rallied on 29 Dec 70. h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; US PW Photo Album, Hq, 525th MI Gp, dtd 10 Nov 68; Map: VIETNAM,. AMS Series L7014, Sheet 6250 I, Edition I dtd 1965, Scale 1:50,000 2. (C) Sighting of 50 to 60 US PW in HAI HUNG Province, NVN. The following information is based on SICR D-6C2-26423 (PW Information, NVN) a. Circumstances of Sighting. During May 66 (exact date unknown), while Source was traveling on Highway 5 in NAM SACH District, HAI HUNG Province, NVN, he observed 50 to 60 US PW repairing bomb damage in an area north of Highway,,, 5 (vic XJ415163). Source was a member of the 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div, and was on his way from the 9th Bn Hq, in CHI LINH District, HAI HUNG Province, to HAI DUONG City, HAI HUNG Province. His mission was to pick up 80 sets of khakis to take back to his unit. The US PW were filling in bomb craters to the north of Highway 5; they were not working on the highway, but were simply filling in craters in an open area. Source heard that they were US pilots who had been shot down over NVN and that they were normally given the work of repairing any type of bomb damage, for which they were reaponaible. Source could not provide the exact aource of this information, but simply stated that this was common knowledge in NVN. The PW were working in an area of approximately 100 square meters. Surce observed the PW at a distance of approximately 100 meters for five minutes. The time of day was approximately 0800 hours. There were a few Negroes, but most were Caucasian (exact numbers unknown). There were only two or three NVA guards in the immediate area; they were armed with AK-47s and wore khaki uniforms and cloth helmets. (See page 6 for a sketch of the helmet.) There was an artillery unit (size and unit designation unknown) set up around the work area. Source also observed four MONOTOVA trucks (NFI) parked along the side of the highway which he assumed were the ones used to transport the PW. Source learned from conversation with local civilians that the PW had begun work the day before. The trucks had taken the PW north on Highway 5 the previous night (destination unknown) and had brought them back at 0700 hours on the morning Source passed by; the artillery unit had remained in place overnight. The PW accomplished their work with handtools and small carts. (See page 7 for sketches of the equipment.) Source observed no maltreatment of the PW. Page 4 of 7 b. Description of PW. Source was unable to provide any identification of the PW other than the fact that they were all larger than their guards and were American (assumed). The PW all wore blue khaki uniforms, green canvas shoes, and plastic helmets. (See page 5 for a sketch of the helmet.) All of the PW appeared healthy,and Source saw no bandages or crutches; there were no medical personnel present. c. Capture Data. Source wee unable to provide any capture data on these PW. d. Biographical Correlation. Due to the lack of capture data no correlation could be made. e. Photo Identification. Source had been shown the 525 MI Gp US PW Photo Album in connection with previous PW sightings. Due to distance and duration of observation, he was unable to make an identification. (U) COMMENTS: Source was very cooperative throughout the interrogation, his replies to control questions were consistent, and he was of above average intelligence. This is report partially satisfies the requirements of SICR D-6C2-26423. Page 5 of 7 Sketch of headgear worn by US PW while repairing bomb damage in HAI HUNG Province, NVN, as provided by returnee, NGUYEN DUY BINH, CMIC 0312-71 (DOI: May 66) (Not to Scale) [NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 2" x 4" SKETCH OF THE HEADGEAR is available - call or write using the file number 0853-71.] Ventilation holes Chin strap in up position The helmets were made of plastic and were various plain dark colors (NFI). Page 6 of 7 Sketch of headgear worn by NVA who were guarding US PW working on the repair of bomb damage in HAI HUNG Province, NVN, as provided by returnee, NGUYEN DUY BINH,. CMIC 0312- 71 (DOI: May 66) (Not to Scale) [NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 4" x 5" SKETCH OF THE HEADGEAR WORN BY THE NVA is available - call or write using the file number 0853-71.] Ventilation holes Insignia Chin strap in up position Enlargement of insignia Red Gold The helmet was made of cloth and was green in color. Page 7 of 7 Sketch of equipment used in the repair of bomb damage by US PW in HAI HUNG Province, NVN, as provided returnee, NGUYEN DUY BINH, CMIC 0312- 71(DOI: My 66) (Not to scale) Cart used to carry dirt <------ 2m------> 1 meter wood Metal [NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 3" x 5" SKETCH OF THE CART and 2" x 3" SKETCH of the SPADE, SHOVEL, and PICK are available - call or write using the file number 0853-71.] Spade Shovel Pick wood 1 m metal The spade and pick were used to loosen dirt, and the shovel to load and unload the cart. [Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]