[0846-71.cm 02/24/96]
[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 showld not
be evolved or modified solely on the basis of this report.
1. COUNTRY: VN,HAI HUNG Province 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0846 71
2. SUBJECT: (U) US PW Sighting in 9. DATE OF REPORT: 9 Aug 71
HAI HUNG Province, NVN (handwritten-W31437)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 9
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G3
BRIGHT LIGHT
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Sep or Oct 67 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS
18 Jul 71
13. PREPARED BY: CARL K. DAVIS
SF5, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: Returnee Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED)
PAUL G. SPERO
LTC, USA
US Elm, CMIC
15. SUMMARY:
(C) This report contains information concerning the sighting of a US PW
pilot in HAI HUNG Province, NVN, to include circimstances of sight-
ing, description of the PW, description of aircraft, evacuation
precedures, and a positive photo identification of CPT MICHAEL HUGH
FANNING, USMC.
THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC.
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: NGUYEN DUY BINH (NGUYEENX ZUY BINHS), CMIC 0312-71
b. Rank: SGT
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Asst Chief; Military Personnel
Section, J-95 Regt, Rear Service Office, T-7
d. DPOB: Sep 45; THANG HONG Village, THANH HA District, HAI HUNG
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 9
e. Parents' Names: Father, NGUYEN DUY BAT (NGUYEENX, ZUY BATV), deceased;
Mother, PHUONG THI GHE (FUOWNGL, THIV GHER), living
f. Circumstances of Return. Source submitted an application to go to an
officer school, but he was turned down. The cadre suspected him of wanting to
desert the unit to rally. On 29 Dec 70, the cadre sent out security guards,
when Source was discovered missing. One of the security guards caught up with
Source, and an argument occurred. Source killed the guard and rallied at the
DAC CAI Post, PRUONG LAM Village, DINH QUAN District, LONG KHANH Province,
RVN.
g. Significant Activities:
(1) DOB to 2 Jan 68. From 1953 to 1957, Source attended his village school
and then attended the THANH CUONG Village School, THANH HA District, HAI HUNG
Province, NVN, from 1957 to 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he continued his studies
at the TU KY District School, HAI HUNG Province. He then worked as a
carpenter at his POB until he was drafted into the NVA in Sep 65. Source was
assigned to the 15th Co, 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div, located in a jungle area
of CHI LINH District, HAI HUNG Province. He worked as a clerk for the 15th Co,
and during this period of time, he received basic infantry training three to
four hours a day. Source then attended the administration training course for
noncommissioned officers given by the cadre of the 320th Div in CHI LINH
District, for 25 days. After the completion of this course, he was assigned as
a clerk in the headquarters of the 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div. His work
consisted of maintaining a list of the personnel and weapons of the battalion
and submitting weekly and monthly reports to the Military Personnel Section,
8th Regt, 320th Div. He did this work until 2 Jan 68.
(2) 2 Jan 68 to Apr 69. On 2 Jan 68, the 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div, was
designated the 297th Infiltration Group and, with an approximate strength of
600 men, left the jungle area of CHI LINH District, HAI HUNG Province, on
foot. The group arrived in the KATUM area, CAMBODIA, in Jul 68. Source
contracted malaria and was sent to the K-20 Hospital and then the K-30
Hospital, both located in the KATUM area. In Sep 68, he was released from the
X-30 Hospital and assigned to the 3d Bn, A-57 Regt, R, located in the KATUM
area. Source worked as a clerk in the 3d Bn Hq, where he maintained lists of
the personnel and equipment of the battalion. In Oct 68, the A-57 Regt moved
to PHUOC LONG Province, and conducted operations in this province until Dec
68, when the A-57 Regt moved to the BAO BINH area, PHUOC TUY Province. In Apr
69, Source was sent to the regimental dispensary, where he was treated for
jaundice until Jun 69.
(3) Jun 69 to DOR. In Jun 69, Source was released from the A-57 Regiment
Dispensary and was sent to the 801 Convalescent Group, 84th Rear Service,
located along the DONG NAI River, LONG KHANH Province, where he rested for 20
days. He then worked as a clerk in the headquarters of the 80A Convalescent
Group until Jan 70. Source was then assigned as the third assistant of the
Military Personnel
Page 3 of 9
Section, A-57 Regt, R, located on ONG Mountain, BINH TUY Province.
Source maintained records of the personnel and equipment of the entire
regiment, and held this position until May 70. In May 70, while Source was on
a rice-procurement mission, his group hit a Claymore mine. Source was taken
to the A-57 Regiment Dispensary, where he was treated for shock for 17 days.
In Jun 70, Source was sent to the 400th Convalescent Station located along
the DA QUAY River, DINH QUAN District, LONG KHANH Province, where he
rested for 15 days. He was then assigned as assistant chief of the
Personnel Section, J-95 Regt, Rear Service Office, T-7, located near the DA
HOUAI River, DINH QUAN District, LONG KHANH Province. The mission of the
J-95 Regt was to provide supplies to the units subordinate to T-7. Source
worked in the Personnel Section until he rallied on 29 Dec 70.
h. Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; 525 MI
Gp PW Photo Album, dtd 10 Nov 68; MACV JPRC PW Photo Album; Department of the
Army FM 44-30, Visual Aircraft Recognition, dtd Mar 69; Map: VIETNAM, AMS
Series L7014, Sheet 6250 I, Edition 1, dtd 1965, Scale 1:50,000
2. (C) US PW Sighting in HAI HUNG Province, NVN. The following
information is based on SICR D-6C2-26423 (PW Information, NVN):
a. Circumstances of Sighting;
(1) Crash Sighting. In Sep or Oct 67, Source was assigned as a
clerk in the headquarters section of the 9th Bn, 8th Regt, 320th Div. The 9th
Bn Hq was located in a jungle area at (vic XJ434219), in CHI LINH District,
HAI HUNG Province, NVN. During the above period, Source was given leave and
was on his way home, when he observed a US PW pilot (exact day and month
unknown). Source lived in TIEN KIEU Hamlet (vic XJ538036), THANH HONG Village,
THANH HA District, HAI HUNG Province, NVN. Source had Just crossed Highway 5
at (vic XJ44212193, and was walking south. When he reached a location 10
meters south of Highway 5 at (vic XJ443193), he saw a US jet aircraft pass
just to the south of HAI DUONG City, HAI HUNG Province, moving from the
southwest to the northeast. The aircraft did not fire at the city of HAI
DUONG but did fire at the PHU LUONG Bridge, which spanned the THAI BINH
River at (vic XJ412162), east of HAI DUONG City. Both bombs and gun fire
were directed at the bridge. While the aircraft was attacking the bridge,
Source heard and observed antiaircraft fire being directed at the aircraft
from four locations at vicinities XJ408175, XJ425183, XJ428153 and XJ405146).
Source was unable to provide the type of antiaircraft weapons or unit
designations. Source saw no smoke or fire come from the aircraft, but stated
that it simply lost altitude and crashed into a rice field, burying its nose
in the mud.
(2) US PW Sighting. After observing the crash of the aircraft,
Source then started walking south, along the small road which followed a
levee, toward the aircraft. While walking south, he observed a man and
parachute land approximately one kilometer northwest of the downed
Page 4 of 9
aircraft's location at (vic XJ445151). The man was immediately surrounded by
local civilians. Source was too far away to observe everything that happened,
but was very sure that the pilot did not resist capture. Source continued
walking south and came to within ten meters of the downed aircraft. He was
prevented from getting any closer by a local militia soldier who was guarding
the aircraft. The aircraft was located at (vic XJ445151), approximately five
to seven meters northwest of the levee road. Through conversation with the
guard, Source learned that the pilot was an American captain and was 27 years
old. Source then returned north along the levee road to Highway 5, where there
was a military station; the pilot had been taken there by the local civilians.
This station was located on the north side of Highway 5 at (vic XJ441194)
(unit designation unknown,. There were many local civilians gathered near the
military station. Source observed the pilot for approximately 15 minutes at a
distance of three meters. The pilot was taken by vehicle to HAI DUONG City by
way of Highway 5. Source did not see the US PW pilot again. Although Source
was not sure of the exact day and month, he knew it was either Sep or Oct
because it was toward the end of the rainy season. The time of day was late
morning and the weather was cloudy. The entire incident lasted between 60 and
90 minutes. (See page 8 for an overlay of the capture/crash area)
b. Description of PW:
(1) Identification:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: CPT (hearsay); Unknown
(c) Nationality: American (hearsay)
(d) Physical Description:
1 Height: 1.70m
2 Weight: 70kg
3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Blond; Blue
4 Race: Caucasian
5 Complexion: Light
6 Hair Length: The PW's hair was medium length, with
a small lock of hair which fell down the center of his forehead; (See page 7
for sketch of the PW).
7 Nose: Medium
8 Scars: None visible
Page 5 of 9
9 Tattoos: None visible
10 Birthmarks: None visible
11 Build: Medium
12 Age: 27 (hearsay)
13 Glasses Worn: None
14 Rings/watches: Source observed none, but was told
by the people in the area that the PW's shirt, watch, and rings had been
taken by his captors (NFI).
(2) Clothing Worn by PW. At the time Source observed the pilot
at the military station, he was wearing a white T-shirt, dark green pants with
long zipper pockets on the outside of each leg, and black, leather boots. He
wore nothing around his neck, had no belt, and was not wearing a hat. Source
observed a helmet which was in the captors' possession, which he assumed was
taken from the pilot. The helmet was dark green in color, had two enlarged
areas on each side where the ears would be, and had a clear plastic visor over
the front and a chin strap. The helmet was made of an unknown type of hard
material (NFI). Source saw no rank or unit insignia, since the PW wore no
shirt at the time.
(3) Physical Condition. The PW was uninjured and required no
medical attention.
(4) Personal Information. Source was unable to provide any
personal information concerning this PW.
(5) Capture Data. The PW was captured in Sep or Oct of 1967, late
in the morning after ejection from his crippled aircraft. He was captured by
local civilians and offered no resistance. The location of capture was at (vic
XJ445181), CHI LINH District, HAI HUNG Province, NVN. Source saw no evidence
of mistreatment at the time of capture.
c. Description of the Aircraft. Source observed the aircraft while in
flight at a distance of approximately three to five kilometers and at a
distance of 10 meters after crashing into the rice field. He described the
aircraft as being silver in color (except for the underside of the tail and
nose which were painted black), and having single, backswept tapered wings.
There was a large,cigar-shaped tank mounted on the underside of each wing
close to the fuselage. (See page 9 for sketch of the aircraft) Source
identified the aircraft from photographs as the F4H Phantom II.
d. Evacuation Procedures. The PW was taken directly to the military
station located on Highway 5 by the local civilians. There, he waited until a
vehicle arrived from HAI DUONG City. This vehicle took
Page 6 of 9
the PW, one NVA guard with an AK-47, and one man in civilian clothes south
along Highway 5 to HAI DUONG City. The driver and man in civilian clothes
rode in front, and the PW and a guard rode in back. The vehicle was a dark
green Jeep with a canvas top (type unknown). Source assumed that the man in
civilian clothes was at least a Major because NVA policy stated that a PW
must be escorted by a higher ranking officer if possible. The PW's hands
were tied before getting into the Jeep; he was not blindfolded. While the PW
wan attempting to get into the Jeep, one of the NVA guards pushed him by the
back of his head. This angered the US PW,and he turned around and kicked the
NVA, indicating that he was a captain and was not to be mistreated. The NVA
was about to retaliate when an NVA cadre stopped him. The cadre then very
loudly informed the NVA guard (so that all could hear) that the NVA does not
mistreat PW. They all then mounted the jeep and departed. Source only knew
that they were going to HAI DUONG City, since the cadre member had mentioned
to the crowd that they were taking the PW across the same bridge he had tried
to destroy. Source knew of no PW camps in HAI DUONG City.
e. Biographical Correlation. The date of capture, location of capture,
rank of PW, and type of aircraft as provided by Source were cross-referenced
with corresponding information in the MACV IDHS PW Biographical File. It was
discovered that CPT MICHAEL HUGH FANNING, USMC, JPRC Number 422, is currently
carried as MIA in the same location and time frame. The rank of CPT, as
provided by Source, proved to be accurate, and the type of aircraft described
by Source was very similar to the actual aircraft flown by CPT FANNING.
f. Photo Identification. Source was shown the 525th MI Gp PW Photo Album
and was unable to make an identification. He stated that he would know his
face, but that the album did not contain his photo. He then offered to draw a
sketch of the US pilot. (See page 7 for a reproduction of this sketch) MACV
JPRC was contacted concerning the correlation made in paragraph 2. e., and
they sent a representative to CMIC with several photos of CPT FANNING. These
photos were mixed with several other photos of US pilots lost over NVN.
Source was able to separate all photos of CPT FANNING and give a positive
identification. Upon further correlation of information in CPT FANNING's
file and information provided by Source, it was discovered that the pilot's
actual age and the weather conditions also corresponded. The sketch provided
by Source was also very similar to the photos of CPT FANNING.
(U) COMMENTS: Source was very cooperative throughout the interrogation and
was of above average intelligence. His answers to control questions were
consistent.
Page 7 of 9
Sketch of US PW pilot captured in HAI HUNG Province, NVN, as provided by
returnee, NGUYEN DUY BINH, CMIC 0312-71 (DOI: Sep or Oct 67 )
[NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 6" x 9" SKETCH OF US PW PILOT
is available - call or write using the file number 0846 71.]
Page 8 of 9
Overlay of the capture/crash area of US PW pilot, as provided by returnee,
NGUYEN DUY BINH, CMIC 0312-71 (DOI: Sep or Oct 67)
Map: VIETNAM, AMS Series L7014, Sheet 6250 I, Edition 1, dtd 1965, Scale
1:50,000
[NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 6" x 9" MAP is available -
call or write using the file number 0846 71.]
LEGEND:
Antiaircraft sites
a Source's location on initial sighting
b location of downed aircraft
c Source's location while observing downed aircraft
d PW's location of capture
e Military station
---> Flight path of aircraft
==== Highway 5
_______ Levee road
Page 9 of 9
Sketch of aircraft downed in HAI HUNG Province, as provided by returnee,
NGUYEN DUY BINH, CMIC 0312- 71 (DOI: Sep or Oct 67) (Not to Scale)
[NETWORK NOTE: a copy of the 6" x 9" SKETCH OF THE DOWNED
AIRCRAFT is available - call or write using the file number
0846 71.]
wing tanks
clear plastic
black
silver
English lettering
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