[0223-71.CM 03/03/96]
[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 NIVD96F002, BY RB/VSW, DATE 2/16/96
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, RVR, MR-3 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0223 71
2. SUBJECT: (U) US PW Sighting in 9. DATE OF REPORT: 8 Mar 71
BINH DUONG Province, RVN (handwritten-W28533)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 5
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G1, 6G3
SICR: D-7CX-49018
BRIGHT LIGHT
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: 10 Oct 70 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS
5 Mar 71
13. PREPARED BY: ALAN T. KENNEDY
SP5, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: PW Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED
Rodney Dickson MAJ., USA, for)
W.H. BEARDSLEY
LTC, USA
Dir, US Elm, CMIC
15. SUMMARY
(C) This report contains limited information relative to two American
PWs observed by Source on 10 Oct 70, in BING DUONG Province, RVN, to
include circumstances of sighting, description of PWs, clothing worn by
PWs, physical condition, personal information, and resemblances to those
in the US PW Photo Album. Both PWs wore the yellow and black 1st Air
Cavalry Division patch. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC.
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: DANG CONG GIANG (DEANGV, COONG JANGV), CMIC 0058-71
b. Rank: PFC
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Soldier; 1st Sqd, C-514 Sig
Det, SR-5
d. DPOB: 1949; MY HUNG Village, MY LOC District, NAM HA 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 5
e. Parents' Names: Father, DANG CONG PHACH (DEANGV), COONG FACHS), living:
Mother, unknown, deceased
f. Circumstances of Capture. On 17 Dec 70, Source was on a rice
transporting mission between BAU HAM Hamlet, XUAN LOC District, LONG KHANH
Province, RVN, and the base camp of the 514th Sig Det, located near the PHUOC
THANH area, BINH DUONG Province, RVN (exact location unknown). Source was
traveling with seven other men from his unit when he was surprised by an
unidentified US unit. Source was the only one captured; he had one AK-47 and
90 rounds of ammunition in his possession at the time of his capture.
g. Significant Activities. Source attended school at his POB from 1961 to
1964, and worked with his parents as a farmer until 1969. He was drafted into
the NVA in Oct 69, and underwent basic training in the 2d Sqd. 1st Plat, 2d
Co, 1st Bn, unidentified regiment located in unknown district, THANH HOA
Province, NVN. Source finished basic training in Dec 69, and after a 10 day
leave, began preparation for" infiltration to the RVN. On 10 Dec 69, the 1st
and 2d Companies of the 1st Bn were redesignated the 236th Infil Gp; and 400
personnel, including cadre, began infiltration. Source was promoted to PFC in
Jan 70. The group walked over the TRUONG SON Mountains into LADS and ended its
infiltration at the B-3 Front (location unknown) in Mar 70. At the B-3 Front,
the group rested one week before cadre of the 514th Sig Det came to pick up
approximately 10 men. Source did not know the final disposition of the other
personnel. Source traveled for approximately one month before arriving at the
base camp of the 514th Sig Det located in the PHUOC THANH area of BINH DUONG
Province, RVN. Source's sole mission was to transport rice from the BAU HAM
area, LONG KHANH Province, RVN, for the detachment. Source remained with this
unit until his DOC.
h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide: US PW Photo
Album, Hq, 525th MI Gp, dtd 10 Nov 68
2. (C) US PW Sighting in BINH DUONG Province, RVN. The following is in
response to SICR D-7CX-49018 (Prisoner of War Intelligence):
a. Circumstances of Sighting. On 10 Oct 70, Source and seven other men
from his unit were returning from BAU HAM Hamlet with rice when they passed
two US PWs from the 1st Air Cav Div and five guards traveling in the opposite
direction (exact location unknown). These two groups passed within a meter of
each other and slowed down momentarily to talk. These two Americans were not
bound in any way. The five guards were armed with four AK-47s and one K-54
pistol (basic loads unknown). The group walked in single file with two guards
to the front, then the-two prisoners, and the other three guards following.
There was 1.50 meters' distance between each man. From the short conversation
between the two groups, Source learned that the guards were from the DONG NAI
Regt (NFI), that three of the guards were NVA and the other two were VC, and
that the guard with the K-5h pistol was an officer. The guards wore no special
uniforms. Source saw these PWs for approximately four minutes and heard one
American ask for cigarettes and a drink of water from the transporters in
Vietnamese.
Page 3 of 5
Source discussed the encounter and the resulting conversation with the other
carriers, Source was therefore able to obtain information concerning the
guards and the prisoners' unit.
b. Description of PWs:
(1) PW No 1:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Rank unknown, Army
(c) Nationality: US
(d) Physical Description:
Height: 1.60m (Interrogator's Note: Interrogator is 1.70m
tall. Source estimated the PW as being 0.10m shorter.)
Weight: 90kg (Interrogator's Note: Interrogator weighs
88kg; Source estimated the interrogator's weight to be 95kg.)
Color of Hair and Eyes: Black; Unknown
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: Light
Hair: Long and straight (Interogator's Note: Source stated
that the hair style of the PW in picture No 97 (NIEHOUSE, DANIEL in the US PW
Photo Album was similar to the hair style of the PW.)
Nose: Long, hooked upwards
Scars, Tattoos, Birthmarks: No distinguishing marks
were noticeable on this PW.
Build: Heavy
Age: 19 ( Interrogator's Note: Interrogator is 24 years
old; Source estimated interrogator's age at 25 or 26.
Glasses Worn: None
Rings/Watches Worn: None
(2) PW No 2:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Rank unknown Army
(c) Nationality: US
Page 4 of 5
(d) Physical Description:
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 70kg
Color of Hair and Eyes: Dark brown, Unknown
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: Ruddy
Hair: Long and straight
Nose: Long, hooked upwards
Scars, Tattoos, Birthmarks: None noticeable
Build: Thin
Age: 21 (Interrogator's note: Source estimated
this PW's age as two years older than the first PW.)
Glasses Worn: None
Rings/Watches Worn: One plain, gold, medium-wide
wedding band on the ring finger of the left hand
(3) Clothing Worn by PWs. Both of the PWs wore green jungle
fatigues with the sleeves rolled up and the pants unbloused. Footwear
consisted of brown tongs. Both PWs wore the 1st Air Cavalry Division
patch on the left shoulder. Source described this patch as having a
black horse's head on a yellow background. Above this patch was another
thin patch with a yellow background and black printing (NFI). Source
noticed no patches on the right shoulder nor any rank insignia on the
collars of either PW. Both PWs wore olive drab T-shirts; neither wore
a hat.
(4) Physical Condition. Neither of the PWs appeared to be
sick or injured.
(5) Personal Information. Source heard PW No 1 ask the
transporters for cigarettes and a drink of water in Vietnamese. He did not
speak Vietnamese well. Source assumed that PW No 2 was married since he wore a
wedding type band on his left hand. Source was unable to provide any other
personal information concerning the PWs.
(h) Capture Data. Source was unable to provide any capture data on either
of the PWs.
c. Evacuation Procedures. Source knew nothing concerning the evacuation
procedures used.
Page 5 of 5
d. Photo Identification. Source was shown the US PW Photo Album but was
unable to make positive identification of either captive. Source, however, did
notice a nimilarity in facial features and hair style between PW No 1 and
photo 97 (NIEHOUSE, DANIEL) and a similarity in facial features between PW No
2 and photo No 47 (PYLES, HARLEY B).
(C) COMMENTS: Source was administered the Cross-Cultural IQ Test and scored
Average (24). He was cooperative throughout the interrogation and answered all
questions consistently. Source did not volunteer information, however. This
report partially satisfies the reouirements of SICR D-7CS-49Ol8. Collection
action continues.
[Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]