[0838-71.CM 03/02/96]
[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-6, YUYEN DUC 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0838 71
Province
2. SUBJECT: (U) US PW Sighitng in 9. DATE OF REPORT: 3 Aug 71
TUYEN DUC Province, RVN (handwritten-W31437)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 9
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.000 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G1, 6G3
723.600 BRIGHT LIGHT
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: May to Nov 70 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: NCHC, SAIGON, VS
13. PREPARED BY: HENRY L. DE MONTEBELLO
SP5, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: Returnee Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED)
PAUL G. SPERO
LTC, USA
Dir, US Elm, CMIC
15. SUMMARY
(C) This report contains information concerning the sighting of one US
PW from May to Sep 70 in TUYEN DUC Province and additional hearsay
information through Nov 70. The report includes:
capture data; identification of PW; confinement of PW for trhee months at
TUYEN DUC Province Unit Headquarters, to include facilities, security, daily
schedule, medical treatment, health of the PW, rations, and treatment;
indoctrination; interrogation; propaganda recording done by PW; and movement
of PW to COSVN Headquarters in CAMBODIA, on his way to NVN, in NOv 70.
THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC.
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: HOANG BAO (HOANGL, BAO), aka TRAN DIEP LANG (TRAANL,
ZIEEPV LANG), CMIC C-3739
b. Rank: Equivalent to company commanding officer
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Acting Chief; Combat Section,
DUC TRONG District Unit, TUYEN DUC Province Unit
d. DPOB: 1938; 6th Quarter, 6th Precinct, SAIGON, RVN
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 9
e. Parents' Names: Father, HOANG KHUONG (HOANGL, KHUOWNG), living; Mother,
TRAN THI KHEO (TRAANL, THIV KHEOS), living
f. Circumstances of Return. Ever since the failure of the Tet Offensive of
1968, Source had been disillusioned by the outcome of the war. He requested to
be transferred to a noncombat unit after the Offensive. He was then assigned
to the Military Affairs Subsector, TUYEN DUC Province Unit, but he was not
well treated by the cadre. He had fallen in love with a woman at the
subsector, and the cadre kept them separated. He was then reassigned to the
DUC TRONG District Unit in Apr 71, and because of this rallied to the ARVN
subsector of WC TRONG District, TUYEN DUC Province, on 7 Jun 71.
g. Significant Activities:
(1) DOB to the End of 1967. Source attended the PHU LAM Primary School in
SAIGON from 1948 until 1953. In 1954,Source worked as a farmer at his uncle's
farm in DUC HOA Village, DUC HOA District, HAU NGHIA Province. His family
moved to this location in mid-1954. In 1960, Source moved to the PHU LAM area
in CHOLON City and worked as a tractor driver. He often drove a tractor in
LONG KHANH, RACH GIA, and BINH THUAN Provinces. He worked both as a tractor
driver and farmer until he was captured by the VC in Jul 64, while plowing in
BINH THUAN Province. Source was captured and brought to the BINH THUAN
Province Unit, where he underwent political indoctrination and training for
three months. During this time, he contracted malaria; after the training, he
was sent to the Production Cell of the BINH THUAN Province Unit. After two
months, Source returned to the BINH THUAN Province Unit (unknown location) and
underwent two months of guerrilla tactics training. Upon completion of this
training, he was assigned as a soldier to the 2d Plat, 2d Co, 186th Inf Bn,
MR-6, located in LAM DONG Province, RVN. The unit's area of operations
centered along Highway 20. In Jul 67, Source was promoted to assistant squad
leader and he commanded a cell. Source remained at the above unit until the
end of 1967.
(2) End of 1967 to DOR. Toward the end of 1967, Source was transferred to
the 810th Inf Co, TUYEN DUC Province Unit, and was assigned as squad leader of
the 5th Sqd, 2d Plat. At this time, the TUYEN DUC Province Unit did not have
any battalions. In Feb 68, while participating in the Tet Offensive against
DALAT City, Source was made assistant platoon leader of the 2d Plat. At this
time the platoon leader was killed, and Source took over his duties. In Apr
68, the 810th Inf Bn was formed from the 810th Co, the 809th City Co, the 200C
Sapper Co, and an unknown NVA company which had Just infiltrated to the RVN.
Also in Apr 68, Source was promoted to executive officer of the 2d Co, 810th
Inf Bn' and participated in the second Tet offensive, around DALAT City, on 31
May 68. Source continued in the above position until the end of 1969, when he
was transferred to the TUYEN DUC Province Unit. He was made leader of the
Military Personnel Subsection, subordinate to the staff section of the
province unit, located in DI LINH District, LAM DONG Province. On 22 Feb 70,
Source was promoted to company commander but retained his duties with the
Military Personnel Section. In Apr 71,
Page 3 of 9
because of disagreements with other cadre, Source was transferred to the DUC
TRONG District Unit, located in TUYEN DUC Province, as acting chief of the
Combat Section. Source remained at this unit until he rallied to the GVN on
7 Jun 71.
h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; Map:
VIETNAM, AMS Series L7014, Edition 1, dtd 1965, Sheets 6632 I and 6632 III,
Scale 1:50,000
2. (C) US PW Sighting in TU YEN DUC Province:
a. Capture Data. (Interrogator's Note: The information concerning the
period from the time of capture until the arrival of the PW at the
headquarters of the 810th Bn was related to Source on the day the PW was
captured by the platoon leader in charge of the operation.)
(1) Circumstances of Capture. At approximately 0800 hours, on 28 or 29
May 70, four cells (12 men) of the 2d Co, 810th Inf Bn, ambushed a US Army
Engineer convoy travelling south on Route 20 (vic BP237124). The convoy
consisted of 10 to 15 Jeeps and three-quarter ton trucks, with an unknown
number of personnel. Allied casualties were not determined. One American was
taken prisoner as he was driving one of the three-quarter ton trucks, unarmed
and alone. Communist forces suffered one killed, four wounded and the loss of
one AK-47. The ambush was considered a success.
(2) Movement from Place of Capture. Immediately after capture, the PW,
escorted by six men, was taken to the 810th Bn Headquarters, located with the
B Forward Front in the VOI Mountain area, TUYEN DUC Province, RVN (exact
location unknown). The trip lasted six hours. In order to reach the
headquarters quickly, the PW was neither bound nor blindfolded. The group
reached the headquarters at approximately 1600 hours on the day of capture. At
this time, the PW received medical attention. He had been slightly wounded by
B-40 shrapnel in the lower portion of his left leg. The wound was superficial
and did not prevent the PW from walking. He did not attempt to escape during
the march. The PW remained at the battalion headquarters one night, but was
not interrogated because no one spoke English well enough. He was searched and
found to have $180 in his wallet and one Zippo lighter. These were returned to
him. Source did not know the other contents of the PW's wallet. At
approximately 0600 hours the next morning (31 May or 1 Jun 70), the PW was
taken to the TUYEN DUC Province Unit headquarters by six armed guards, the
platoon leader of the capturing unit, and Source, who had been at the B Front
on a mission. Two and one-half days later (2 or 3 Jun 70), the group arrived
at the headquarters at (vic of AN9694). During the trip, the PW was bound only
at night, as the ropes were taken off during the day so he could walk .He was
never blindfolded and did not seem to suffer from his wound. The PW did not
attempt to escape. Upon arrival at the province headquarters, the PW was taken
to the assistant chief of the Enemy Proselyting Section, NVA LT DINH DAN
(DINH, ZAAN), who became fluent in English while studying in the USSR. He
immediately asked the PW whether any of his personal possessions had been
taken away from him and whether he had been mistreated. Both replies were
negative. The PW remained at the above location for the next three months.
Source was in almost daily contact with him during this time.
Page 4 of 9
b. Identification of the PW:
(1) Name: MOCK (Interrogator's Note: Source was not able to determine
whether this was a family name, first name, or nickname. This is is the name
which the PW submitted to LT DINH.)
(2) Rank and Branch of Service: Source could not remember the exact rank,
but believed that the PW was an E-4 or E-5. The PW was an Army engineer,
specializing in road and bridge building.
(3) Nationality: American
(4) Language capability: The PW could speak a few words of Vietnamese. He
had never studied the language formally.
(5) Physical Description. (Interrogator's Note: Source could not make a
positive identification of the PW from photos provided by JPRC.)
Race: Caucasian
Age: 21
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 70kg
Build: Medium; Source stated that the PW was very strong and well built.
He exercised daily on his own initiative.
Color of Hair: Light brown
Color of Eyes: Blue
Hair: Medium length, wavy
Complexion: Red, clear
Nose: Long, straight with an upward tilt
Scars: None
Birthmarks: None
Tattoos. One small tattoo on the lower part of the calf, right leg. (For a
sketch of the tattoo, see page 9.)
Glasses: None
Jewelry. The PW wore a medal of the Virgin Mary around his neck, along
with brightly colored beads. He had no watch or rings.
Clothing. At the time of capture, the PW wee wearing fatigue pants and
jungle boots, with no shirt or hat. The capturing unit gave him an American
field Jacket.
Page 5 of 9
(6) Education. The PW had a college degree (NFI).
(7) Marital Status. Source was not certain of the PW's marital status;
however, he believed the PW was married and had no children.
(8) Relations. The PW had two sisters and two brothers, one of whom had
been in the US Army and had served one year in VIETNAM prior to the PW's tour
of service. The PW was the youngest of the three brothers. His parents were
living.
(9) Personal Information. While eating rice one day, the PW told his
interpreter that it reminded him of his childhood when his parents had grown
rice on their farm.
c. Confinement of PW:
(1) Length of Stay. The PW remained at the TUYEN WC Province Unit
Headquarters from approximately 4 Jun to the end of August or beginning of Sep
70. Upon arrival at the province unit headquarters, LT DINN called a member of
MR-6 for orders concerning the disposition of the PW and was told to keep him
and await orders. At the end of August or the beginning of Sep 70, LT DINH
received orders to take the prisoner to COSVN in CAMBODIA (NFI), and then
north to HANOI.
(2) Facilities. The PW was kept in a small hut made of bamboo and leaves,
containing one bamboo bed, one mosquito not, one blanket, one bowl end a pair
of chopsticks. The hut measured approximately (5m x 4m x 5m). The PW was
issued two sets of black pajamas and one pair of rubber sandals. He was
allowed to keep his fatigue pants and jungle boots.
(3) Security. During the three months that the PW was kept at the province
unit headquarters, he was guarded by six security guards armed with AK-47s
(200 rounds each), 24 hours a day; however, the PW was allowed to move around
outside the hut freely. He often went unaccompanied to a nearby stream,
located 100 meters from the hut, to wash his clothes and get water. During
these three months, the PW never tried to escape.
(4) Daily Schedule:
0545 to 0730: Wake up, personal hygiene, and exercise
0730 to 0800: Breakfast
0800 to 1200: PW was either interrogated or indoctrinated by LT DINH. If
not, he was usually employed for a short period of time to get firewood and
then left to exercise, wash clothes, bathe or rest. He was never employed to
do hard manual labor for the unit.
1200 to 1330: Lunch and rest
1330 to 1800: Interrogation, indoctrination or free time
Page 6 of 9
1800 to 1900: Dinner
1900 to 2100: Review of the day's activity. At this time, the PW was
allowed to listen to American musical programs on a commercial radio. He
sometimes listened to the English language Liberation Front Radio Program.
2100: Lights out
(5) Medical Treatment. Medical treatment was regarded as importent by LT
DINH, and the PW was very well taken care of in this area. His shrapnel wound
was treated again immediately after arriving at the province headquarters, and
the wound healed completely within two weeks. The PW was given weekly checkups
by the unit's medical technician and the PW received a small supply of aspirin
every month. He was also administered the following on a weekly basis (unknown
type and quantity)
NI VAQUINE tablets
Flu medicine
Vitamins
(6) Health of the PW: During the entire stay at the province unit
headquarters, the PW was in extremely good health. He was never sick and
exercised regularly every day. He lost no weight and ate heartily.
(7) Rations. The PW was fed three times daily. Each meal consisted of rice
(Source did not know the quantity but stated that it was more than enough),
venison, and fruits gathered in the jungles. Sometimes bread was brought back
for the PW from villages in the area. The PW cooked his own food. He had no
trouble adapting to the diet.
(8) Treatment of the PW. Source stated that the PW was treated almost as a
guest. Me was never beaten or abused and maintained a friendly relaxed
atmosphere with all his captors.
d. Political Activity:
(1) Indoctrination. For the first week of captivity, the PW underwent
political indoctrination, both mornings and afternoons. These indoctrination
sessions were conducted by LT DINH on an informal basis. The indoctrination
took the form of dialogue between PW and LT DINH. Two subjects were stressed:
(a) Policy Toward Foreign Prisoners. LT DINH told the PW that the
Communist view of foreign prisoners was as follows: the average American
soldier is sent to VIETNAM against his will and made to fight a war which he
does not believe in, which the people of the United States are against, and
a war which is waged by a few imperialist dictators, with the burdens placed
on the men in uniform. Therefore, the Communist forces do not look upon the
American prisoner as the enemy
Page 7 of 9
but rather just another of the oppressed peoples of the world. He is therefore
to be treated as a guest and his time spent with the Communist forces must be
a time to be fondly remembered. The prisoner was told that if he tried to
escape, they would catch him quickly, but he would not be maltreated if he
did so. LT DINH told the PW that he could see no reasons for wanting to
escape, in view of the treatment which he was receiving at the hands of his
captors. The PW was told that this would be a good time to air his views and
discuss any matters of importance. Both captor and captured were in the same
position. Both were oppressed by a few corrupt imperialist dictators.
(b) The Reason for the Presence of American Troops in VIETNAM. This
discussion centered around the deception of American leaders in sending the
youth of the country to die in meaningless imperialistic aggressions on
foreign lands (NFI). During this indoctrination, the PW was never questioned
about Allied military subjects. Source was present for a few of these
sessions; however, due to the language barrier, could not determine for
himself the effect that this indoctrination was having on the PW. He stated
that the relationship between the PW and LT DINH seemed warm and friendly. LT
DINH told Source that the indoctrination given during the first week was
working well (NFI). Indoctrination was continued throughout the PW's stay at
the province unit headquarters. There was no specific schedule and sometimes
the PW went three days without indoctrination. Indoctrination often occurred
under the guise of conversation, during meal times and at night (NFI).
(c) Interrogation of PW. Interrogation of the PW began after the week of
indoctrination and lasted about six days. The PW was interrogated by LT DINH
between 0800 and 1130 hours, and between 1330 and 1750 hours. Again, as the
indoctrination had been, these sessions were conducted informally. Source did
not participate in these sessions and did not know what information the PW had
given to his interrogator. Source was told by LT DINH that the PW had been
very cooperative during the interrogation sessions. LT DINH also stated that
the main objectives of the interrogations were to obtain military information
about Allied forces and activities (NFI).
(d) Recordings. Source stated that after about one month at the
headquarters, LT DINH asked Source if he would make a recording about his
opinions of the war and the administration in the US, and the PW agreed. He
wrote a draft and showed it to LT DINH who read it, made some small
corrections (unknown) and returned it to the PW who then recorded it. Source
did not know to whom this recording would be sent but assumed that LT DINH
would take it to COSVN. Because the recording was in English, Source did not
know its contents fully, but LT DINH informed him that it was a summary of
the PW's thoughts about the NIXON administration and its role in VIETNAM. The
PW talked of the deceit which President NIXON showed to the American people
concerning the war. The PW apparently described a credibility gap fostered by
President NIXON's speeches about VIETNAM and the totally different situation
encountered by American soldiers arriving in VIETNAM (NFI). Source did not
know if any photographs were taken of the PW or if any other propaganda
materials had been written.
Page 8 of 9
e. Movement of PW from Province Headquarters to Ultimate Destination
(Interrogator's Note: The following information was related to Source by LT
DINH on his return from COSVN): In late Aug or early Sep 70, MR-6 Headquarters
sent a message to LT DINH advising him to personally escort the American
prisoner from the province unit headquarters to COSVN Headquarters in
CAMBODIA. He was to remain with the PW at COSVN while the PW was being
exploited. From COSVN, LT DINH was to personally escort the PW to HANOI City.
At this time, LT DINH left with the PW and six armed guards for COSVN. While
travelling through PHUOC LONG Province, RVN, on their way to CAMBODIA, the
group encountered elements of the 173d US Airborne unit and were forced to
interrupt their journey. The group remained in hiding in PHUOC LONG Province
about two months at an undisclosed location before continuing on into
CAMBODIA. At this time, LT DINH and three of the guards contracted malaria.
The PW was in excellent health and carried extra supplies to make up for the
stricken men of the group. The PW allegedly carried over 30 kilograms of rice
on his back. He was not bound and never tried to escape. Sometime in early or
mid November, the group arrived at COSVN Headquarters in CAMBODIA. (Because of
its top secret nature, Source was not told anything concerning the location of
COSVN). By this time, LT DINH was severely debilitated by the malaria, and was
unable to remain with the PW or continue to escort him to North VIETNAM. LT
DINH remained a few weeks at COSVN recuperating, and returned to the TUYEN DUC
Province Unit Headquarters sometime in Feb 71. He did not know how long the PW
remained at COSVN or when he was to be taken to HANOI.
(U) COMMENTS: Source seemed to be of above average intelligence. He was very
cooperative during the interrogation and often volunteered information. From
the date and location of the PW sighting, the identifying tattoo of the PW,
and the description of the clothing that the PW was wearing, JPRC is in the
process of reconfirming the capture of SP4 KEITH A. ALBERT.
Page 9 of 9
Sketch of a tattoo on the lower portion of the PW' a right leg, as provided by
returnee, HOANG BAO, CMIC C-3739 (Not to Scale)
[NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 2" x 3" SKETCH OF THE TATOO is available -
call or write using the file number 0838-71.]
Hammer ->
<-Semi-circle
(Interrogator's Note: Source stated that the tattoo might have been a
hammer and sickle but was not positive.)
[Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]