[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.
    
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