[0152-71.CM 02/27/96] [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, RVN MR-3 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0152 71 2. SUBJECT: (U) PW Sighting in LONG AN 9. DATE OF REPORT: 16 Feb 71 Province (handwritten-W28342) 10.NO. OF PAGES: 8 3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G3 SICR: D-7CX-49018 BRIGHT LIGHT 4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Mid-Nov 69 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV 5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: NCHC, SAIGON, VS 9 Feb 71 13. PREPARED BY: LARRY E. FITCHHORN SP5, USA 6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6 7. SOURCE: Returnee Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED) W.H. BEARDSLEY LTC, USA Dir, US Elm, CMIC 15. SUMMARY (C) This report contains information concerning the sighting of two US PWs in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq, in LONG AN Province, RVN, to include circumstances of sighting, capture data, limited physical descriptions, movement data, information concerning the confinement and interrogation of US PWs, and secuirty messages taken with the PWs. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC. 1. (C) Background Information: a. Name: HO ANG MINH HAI (HOANGL, MINH HAIR), CMIC C-3639 b. Rank: Sr SGT c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Plat Ldr; 2d Plat, 20-B Co, Engr Sect, subordinate to Staff Office of LONG AN SR d. DPOB: 1946; SON LOC Village, TRUNG THIEM District, HA TAY 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 1 cy 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 8 e. Parents' Names: Father, HOANG VAN CAP (NOANGL, VEAN CAAPV), living; Mother, NGUYEN THI AN (NGUYEENX, THIV AN), living f. Circumstances of Return. On 11 Dec 70, Source was on a reconnaissance mission along Highway 1 in CAMBODIA when he deserted his platoon and rallied to the 46th Regt, 25th ARVN Div, in SVAY RIENG Province, CAMBODIA. g. Significant Activities: (1) DOB to Dec 67. Source lived at his POB until late Jul 67. He attended the district school, located in his village, from 1958 to 1966. He then worked on his family's farm and joined the village militia. In late Jul 67, Source was drafted into the NVA and assigned to the 8th Sqd, 3d Plat, 3d Co, 399th Bn, 12th Regt, HA TAY Province Unit. He received one month of basic training and one month of engineer training at HOA LAC Airfield, PHU MAN Village, TRUNG THIEM District, HA TAY Province, NVN. In late Sep 67, Source was given one month of NCO training at TAN CAU Hamlet, unknown village, BAT BAT District, HA TAY Province, NVN, given by cadre from the 304th NVA Div. Source and the remainder of the 399th Bn then rested until early Dec 67. (2) Dec 67 to Dec 68. In early Dec 67, the entire 399th Bn began infiltrating to the RVN as the 274th Infil Gp. Source, who had been promoted to senior sergeant upon completion of his NCO training, was the squad leader of the 8th Sqd, 3d Plat, 3d Co, 399th Bn. The 274th Infil Gp walked from its base camp at HOA LAC Airfield, PHU MAN Village, TRUNG THIEM District, HA TAY Province, NVN, through HOA BINH, THANH HOA, NGHE AN, HA TINH, and QUANG BINH Provinces, NVN, across the TRUONG SON Mountains into LAOS, down into CAMBODIA, finally ending the infiltration in the K-10 Area, near the 48th Libertation Bridge in TAY NINH Province, RVN, in early May 68. The entire 399th Bn was assigned to the J-5 Engineer Section, subordinate to the Engineer Department of COSVN. The J-5 Engineer Section was located in the K-10 Area, TAY NINH Province, RVN. Source remained with the Engineer Section as squad leader of the 8th Sqd, 3d Plat, 3d Co, until late Dec 68. (3) Dec 68 to 11 Dec 70. In late Dec 68, the entire 3d Co was assigned temporarily to MY QUI TAY Village, DUC HUE District, LONG AN Province, RVN. Source was at that time promoted to assistant platoon leader of the 3d Plat, 3d Co. In Aug 69, the 3d Co was reassigned to SR-2 Hq and redesignated the 20-B Co, still operating in MY QUI TAY Village, DUC HUE District, LONG AN Province, RVN. Source was at that time promoted to platoon leader of the 2d Plat, 20-B Co. In Apr 70, the 20-B Co was forced to move to CAY DAU District, SVAY RIENG Province, CAMBODIA, because of US/ARVN operations. The 20-B Co suffered many casualties while in CAMBODIA and became unable to operate efficiently. Therefore, when SR-2 and SR-3 merged in Sep 70, the Engineer Sections of both subregions merged to form a new 20-B Co. Source remained in his position as platoon leader of the 2d Plat, 20-B Co. In late Nov 70, the 2d Plat, 20-B Co, was given the mission of conducting a reconnaissance of Highway 1. While on the reconnaissance mission, Source deserted his platoon and rallied to the 46th Regt, 25th ARVN Div, in SVAY RIENG Province, CAMBODIA, on 11 Dec 70. Source rallied because he was tired Page 3 of 8 of hardships endured during the war, because he feared for his life, because US/ARVN operations were too heavy and frequent, and because his unit suffered severe shortages of food supplies, medicines, weapons, and ammunition. h. Additional References: CIMC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide 2. PW Sighting in LONG AN Province. The following is given in accordance with SICR D-7CX-49018 (Prisoner of War Intelligence): a. Places of Confinement. During the time of observation, the two US PWs were confined in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq. b. Description of PWs: (1) Identification: (a) Number and Nationality of PWs. In mid-Nov 69, Source sighted two US PWs being confined in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq, in the DONG KET area, LONG AN Province, RVN. (b) Information about the PWs: 1 Name: Unknown 2 Rank and Branch of Service: Rank unknown, heresay knowledge that the two PWs were Marines 3 Type of Aircraft: None 4 Nationality: American (assumed) 5 Physical Description. Source was able to give the following limited descriptions of the two PWs: a First PW: Height: 1.68m Weight: 60kg Color of Hair and Eyes: Brown hair, blue eyes Race: Caucasian Complexion: Light, clear Hair: Short and straight Nose: Long and straight Scars: None visible Tattoos: None visible Page 4 of 8 Birthmarks: None visible Build: Heavy Age 25 to 30 years Glasses Worn: None Rings/Watches Worn: None b Second PW: Height: 1.70m Weight: 55kg Color of Hair and Eyes: Blond hair, blue eyes Race: Caucasian Complexion: Dark, clear Hair: Short and straight Nose: Long and straight Scars: None visible Tattoos: None visible Build: Thin Age: 25 to 30 years Glasses Worn: None Rings/Watches Worn: None Clothing. At the time Source sighted the PWs, they were being held captive in a small room in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq, and they were wearing light blue Liberation uniforms. The uniforms appeared to be new, and had originally been designed to be worn by the soldiers of SR-2. The PWs wore socks but no footwear. Source stated that the PWs' clothing and possessions had been taken from them and had been placed in a bag. Source looked into the bag and saw green jungle fatigues and jungle boots. (d) Insignia. Source did not see any rank insignia on the uniforms. The unit patch Source saw was oval-shaped. The top half of the patch was dark blue in color, while the bottom half was light blue in color with a dark figure on it (sic) (NFI). Source did not know what unit the insignia represented. Page 5 of 8 (e) Photographs. Source could not identify the PWs from photographs as it had been too long since he had seen them, and because of the fact that Americans all looked very much alike to him. (f) Health of the PWs. Both of the PWs appeared to be in good health, and Source say no evidence of either PW being wounded. (g) Background of the PWs. Source was not able to provide any information concerning the background of either of the PWs. (h) Separation of the PWs. At the time Source sighted the PWs, they wee being kept in opposite corners of the same room. (I) PW Deaths. Source knew nothing concerning deaths of US PWs. (2) Capture Data. Source was not with the unit that captured the PWs. However, a friend of his, Sr. Lt SAU QUANG (SAUS QANG), Chief of the Criminal Office of SR-2, interrogated the two PWs, and told Source of their capture. The two PWs had reportedly been driving along Highway 4 in either THU THUA or BEN THU (VC) District, LONG AN Province, RVN, in a jeep with two Vietnamese girls in mid-Nov 69. The two PWs told QUANG that they were on leave and had been on their way to QUI NHON (sic) when they were captured. The jeep stopped alongside Highway 4 so that the two soldiers and the two Vietnamese girls could rest, and they were immediately captured by a reconnaissance element of the 308th Inf Bn, subordinate to SR-2 Hq. Source was told by QUANG that the two US soldiers were held captive, and the two Vietnamese girls were killed. A platoon-size unit of approximately 24 men was involved in the capture. According to Source, the PWs had only one M-16 with two magazines, and it was immediately confiscated. Source did not know if the surrounding area was searched for additional PWs. Source stated that the clothing and personal possessions of the PWs were not taken from them until after they arrived at the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq. Source believed that the PWs were well treated by their captors, because the VA/NVA policy concerning US PWs was to treat them well. (3) Movement of PWs to a Detention Camp: (a) Mode of Transportation. The PWs were transported part way by foot, and part way by sampan. (b) Security Measures. The PWs' hands were bound being their backs while moving from the point of capture to Staff Section, SR-2 Hq. During the daytime, the PWs were also blindfolded. The PWs were not allowed to wear shoes: they traveled in their socks. Segregation of PWs. Source did not know of any time when the PWs were segregated. (d) Guarding the PWs During the Move. The PWs were escorted to the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq by approximately nine or 10 soldiers from the 308th Inf Bn. All the guards were armed with AK-47s. Page 6 of 8 While walking, two guards moved ahead of the PWs, and the remaining guards moved along being the PWs. While traveling by sampan, two guards sat in the lead sampan, three guards were in the second sampan, which also held the two PWs, and their remaining guards were in the rear sampan. (e) Evacuation of PWs. The PWs were captured in the early evening, and were immediately moved out of the capture area toward SR-2 Hq. The PWs and their escorts moved only at night, and the journey took two nights. During the daytime, the PWs were hidden in the thick jungles so that they would not be seen by anyone. The PWs were escorted on foot from the point of capture to the VAM CO DONG River, where they boarded three sampans. The party traveled along the VAM CO DONG River, down the BINH THANH Canal, then into the BO BO Canal, finally debarking at SR-2 Hq in the DONG KET area, LONG AN Province, RVN. (f) Harassment of PWs. Source did not know if the PWs were harassed by their escorts but believed that they were fairly well treated, because of the VC/NVA policy concerning the treatment of US PWs. (g) Exhibition of PWs. Source stated that the PWs were not exhibited, and that the guard avoided all contact with anyone while moving the PWs from the point of capture to SR-2 Hq. (h) PWS Interviewed or Photographed in Transit. Source stated that, according to his knowledge, the PWS were not photographed or interviewed while in transit. (4) In Camp. Source knew nothing concerning PW camps. However, he stated that any PWS captured in SR-2 Area were taken to SR-2 Hq for temporary confinement, so that they could be interrogated prior to being sent to a PW camp. Source provided the following information concerning the confinement of the two PWS while in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq: (a) Confiscation of PWS' Possessions. Source stated that all clothing and personal possessions of the PWS were taken from them in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq. The PWS were issued light blue uniforms to wear. They were not given any footwear. (b) Nature of Confinement. Source did not know what policy SR-2 had concerning the nature of confinement of US PWS. The two PWS Source saw were being kept together in one room, and they had no freedom of movement. Segregation of PWS. Source could provide no information concerning the policy of segregating PWS in SR-2 Hq. The two PWS he sighted were kept in the same room, although on opposite sides of the room. (d) Living Quarters of the PWS. Both of the PWS were kept in a small room (4m x 3m x 4m) with two windows, each of which was approximately three meters above the ground. Inside the room were two steel cots with one mattress and one blanket per cot. The cots were placed on opposite sides of the room. Page 7 of 8 (e) PW Restraint. The PWS were confined to their room, except when being interrogated, or when they had to relieve themselves. While in the room, the PWS were not bound. The room was guarded by four guards, two in front of the room, and two at the rear. When being taken to and from the interrogation room, the PWS were blindfolded and their hands were tied behind their backs. They were allowed to use the latrine whenever they needed to, and they were not restrained at those times. The PWS were not restrained while being interrogated, although one guard remained in the interrogation rom to guard the PW being interrogated. The PWS were taken separately for interrogation and for latrine calls. (f) Daily Routine. Source was not able to provide any information concerning the normal daily routine of PWS being confined in SR-2 Hq. the two PWs Source saw remained in their room at all times except when they were being interrogated or when they had to use the latrine. The PWs only remained at the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq for two nights and one day. The prisoners were give two meals per day, and the meals were taken into their room. (g) PW Work Details. Source stated that the PWs he saw were not put on any work details while at SR-2 Hq. (I) PWs' Food. The PWS were given the same kinds of food as the VC/NVA soldiers were given, and the quality of the food was the same. (j) Photographs/Movies Taken of the PWS. At SR-2 Hq two pictures were taken of each PW, to be put in the PWS individual folders. Source did not know whether SR-2 Hq kept the PWS' folders, or whether the folders were evacuated with the PWS. (5) Interrogation of PWS. Through his friendship with SAY QUANG, Source was able to provide the following information concerning the interrogation of US PWS: (a) Location of Interrogation. Source stated that the interrogations of US PWS took place at SR-2 Hq, but he did not know under what conditions the interrogations took place. (b) Interval Between Capture and Interrogation. To the best of Source's knowledge, the US PWS were interrogated as soon as they could be brought form the point of capture to SR-2 Hq. Frequency and Length of Interrogations. Source was not able to provide any information concerning the frequency and length of interrogations. (d) Interrogators and Interpreters. Source stated that both the interpreter and the interrogator were Vietnamese. SAU QUANG, Page 8 of 8 the interrogator, could not speak English, so LT DAO TAN LANG (DAOL, TAANS LANGV) served as an interpreter, as he spoke passable English. (e) Information Sought During Interrogation. Source stated that the interrogations that were conducted at SR-2 Hq were only quick interrogations in which general information was sought. QUANG told Source that he asked the PWS their names, DPOB, rank, unit they were serving with, location of the unit, length of time they had spend in the RVN, unit operations, why the soldiers were in VIETNAM instead of being in US where Americans belonged, and what the PWS had been doing in the area where they were captured. (6) Prisoner Mail Privileges. Source was not knowledgeable of prisoner mail privileges. (7) Indoctrination. Source knew nothing concerning indoctrination of US PWS, as no PWS were kept at SR-2 Hq long enough to be indoctrinated. (8) Medical Care and Health. Source was not able to provide any information concerning medical care and health of US PWS. (9) NVA/VC/PATHET LAO Policy Concerning the Capture or Execution of US Personnel. Source could not provide any information pertaining to this policy. (10) Final Disposition of the PWS. Source did not know the final disposition of the two PWS. After spending two nights and one day in the Staff Section of SR-2 Hq, the PWS were carried off in hammocks by two armed squads from the 308th Inf Bn. The PWS were being carried in hammocks because their feet were too badly cut and bruised from walking to SR-2 Hq in their socks to allow them to walk any further. Source did not know of any medical attention given to the PWS. Source was told by QUANG that the PWS were being taken to R. COMMENTS: Source appeared to be of average intelligence and was extremely cooperative throughout the interrogation. He seemed eager to be of assistance to this interrogator. Source answered all control questions accurately and without hesitation. This report partially satisfies the requirements of SICR D-7CX-24000. Collection action continues. [Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]