[0910-71.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 revelatin 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, NGHE AN Province 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0910 71 2. SUBJECT: (U) US PW Sighting in NVN 9. DATE OF REPORT: 21 Oct 71 (handwritten-W32064) 10.NO. OF PAGES: 4 3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G3 SICR: D-6C2-26423 BRIGHT LIGHT 4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Jun 67 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV 5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS 14 Aug 71 13. PREPARED BY: ARTHUR A. BOULETTE SP5, USA 6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6 7. SOURCE: PW 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 one US PW in NGHE AN Province, NVN, to include circumstances of sighting, description, and VC/NVA policy concerning the treatment and disposition of US PW. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC. 1. (C) Background Information: a. Name: NGUYEN VAN THANH (NGUYEENX, VEAN THANH), CMIC 0303-71 b. Rank: PFC c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Member; 2d Plat, 12th Co, 6th Bn, 61st Gp, MR-3 d. DPOB: 12 May 52; HIEN SON Village, DO LUONG (sic) District, NGHE AN 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 Page 2 of 4 e. Parents' Names: Father, NGUYEN VAN THANH (NGUYEENX VEIN THANH), deceased; Mother, LE THI THANH (LEE THIV THANH), deceased f. Circumstances of Capture. On 2 May 71, Source's unit stopped for the night near Canal 7, RACH GIA (VC) Province, RVN. As Source was helping to prepare the evening meal, an unidentified ARVN unit attacked. Source tried to run away but was captured with NGUYEN HUU THACH (NGUYEENX, HUWUR THACHV), CMIC 0304-71, and NGUYEN VAN SO (NGUYEENX, VAN SOW), CMIC 0305-71. Source had an AK-47, 120 rounds, and a gas mask in his possession at the time of capture. g. Significant Activities. Source attended school at POB from 1960 to 1966. He then worked at his POB until 30 Apr 70, when he was drafted. He was assigned to the 5th Sqd, 2d Plat, 12th CO, 4th Bn, 22d Regt, MR-IV .Source received basic training from 5 May to 30 Oct 70. On 21 Nov 70, the 4th Bn, designated the 2249th Infiltration Group, began infiltration to the RVN. In mid-Apr 71, the group arrived at an unknown location in CAMBODIA. There, Source was promoted to PFC, and on 27 Apr 71, he was assigned to the 2d Plat, 12th Heavy Weapons Go, Z-6 Bn, 18B Regt (aka 61st Group), MR-39 located in the HON ME area, RVN. The Z-4 Bn, 18B Regt, was also located in this area .In early May 71, the 12th Co (aka C-12) and the Z-4 Bn, 18B Regt, began moving to RACH GIA (VC) Province .On 2 May 71, an unidentified ARVN unit attacked the group, and Source and two other men were captured. h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; US PW Photo Album, HQ, 525th MI Group, dtd Nov 68; Map: Vietnam, AMS Series L1704, Sheet 6046 I, Edition 2, dtd 1966, Scale 1:5O,OOO 2. US PW Sighting in NGHE AN Province, NVN. The following information is based on SICR D-6C2-26423 (PW Information, VN): a. Circumstances of Sighting. In Jun 67, while Source was working in the rice fields (vic WP478902), in THUONG SON Village, DO LUONG (sic) District, NGHE AN Province, NVN, he saw an aircraft (type unknown) catch fire; the pilot ejected and parachuted to the ground. About a half hour later, the pilot, guarded by three militia men from THUONG SON Village, passed Source at a distance of about 10 meters. Source observed the PW for about five minutes. The three guards were armed with SKSs which Source had heard were made in HUNGARY. Source could provide no information as to the amount of ammunition each guard carried. The PW was being led on foot, was blindfolded, end had his hands bound together in front of him. Source did not know where the PW was being taken. b. Description of PW: (1) Identification: (a) Name : Unknown (b) Rank and Branch of "service: Unknown, Unknown Page 3 of 4 (c) Nationality: American (assumed) (d) Physical Description: 1 Height: 1.70m 2 Weight: 90kg 3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Yellow; Unknown 4 Race: Caucasian 5 Complexion: Light 6 Hair Length: Unknown 7 Mustache and/or Beard: PW wore a mustache, but had no beard 8 Nose: Long and straight 9 Tatoos, Scars and Birthmarks: Unknown 10 Build: Heavy 11 Age: 28 12 Glasses Worn: None 13 Rings/Watches: PW wore a gold ring with a blue stone on his left ring finger; PW wore a watch (brand unknown) with a gold band. (2) Clothing worn by PW. PW was wearing Vietnamese civilian clothing (black pajamas), and a conical shaped Vietnamese bamboo hat. The PW was wearing boots, but Source could not recall what type. The PW wore no rank or unit insignia. (3) Physical Condition of PW The PW appeared to be in good physical condition. Source noticed no bandages on him or any bloodstains on his clothing. Not being medically qualified, Source could furnish no further information on the physical condition of the PW. (4) Personal Information .Source could not furnish any personal information on the PW. (5) Capture Data. Source could not provide any information on the capture of the PW with the exception that the PW's plane was shot down about mid-day sometime in June 1967. Page 4 of 4 c. Evacuation Procedures. Source could not provide any information concerning the evacuation procedures of the PW. d. VC/NVA Policy concerning the Treatment and Disposition of US PW. Source stated that NVA soldiers are told to protect all PW and to bring them to the next highest level of command. e. Biographical Correlation. An attempt was made to correlate the information obtained from Source with the MACV/IDHS US PW Biographical File, but results were negative because the location and dates given by Source could not be matched with dates and locations in the Biographical File. f. Photo Identification. Source was shown the 525 MI Gp PW Photo album, but was unable to make any identification. (U) COMMENTS: Source was administered the Cross-Cultural IQ Test and scored 12 (low-average). Source was cooperative and his answers to control questions were consistent. This report partially satisfies the requirements of SICR D-6C2-26423. [Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]