[0884-71.CM 02/25/96]
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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: VS, RVN MR-3, KONTUM Province 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0884 71
2. SUBJECT: (C) PW Sighting in KONTUM 9. DATE OF REPORT: 18 Aug 71
Province (handwritten-W32064)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 7
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G1, 6G3
BRIGHT LIGHT
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Aug 67 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS
3 Aug 71
13. PREPARED BY: GREGORY T. HSU
SP5, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: PW 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 four PW
in KONTUM Province, RVN, in Aug 67, to include the circumstances of
sighting, physical description of the PW, their physical condition at
the time of sighting,and possible correlation between the PW in this
report and four MIAs listed in the MACV IDHS Biographical File. THIS IS
A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR JPRC.
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: DAO VAN PHONG (DAOL, VEAN FONG), CMIC 0323-71
b. Rank: None (VC)
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Asst Plat Ldr; 1st Plat, 2d
Inf Co, 1st Bn, C-30 Gp; R
d. DPOB: 1942; VINH HAI Hamlet, QUANG DONG Village, QUANG TRACH
District, QUANG BINH 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
[stamped] THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL
DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS.
TITLE 18 U.S.C., SECTIONS 793 AND 794. THE TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF
WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Page 2 of 7
e. Parent's Names: Father, DAO VAN KHUYNH (DAOL, VEAN KHUYNH),
deceased; Mother, VO THI HONG (VOX, THIV HOONGL), deceased
f. Circumstances of Capture. On 22 Jun 71, Source and six other
members of the 2n Co, 1st Bn, C-30, were on a rice procurement mission when
they were attacked by an element of the 25th ARVN Div. Source was captured in
the TA NOT area (vic WT7970), CAMBODIA. He had in his possession one AK-47
with 120 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades.
g. Significant Activities:
(1) DOB to Oct 68. From 1955 to 1959, Source attended the VINH
HAI Hamlet School at his POB and from 1959 to Mar 65, he farmed and fished in
QUANG TRACH District, QUANG BINH Province. In Mar 65, Source was drafted into
the NVA and was assigned to the 2n Co, 1st Bn, QUANG BINH Main Force Unit.
From Mar to May 65, he received basic infantry training with the 1st Bn in BO
TRACH District, QUANG BINH Province. From May to 20 Jul 65, Source was a
soldier in the 3rd Plat, 4th Co, 3d Bn, 101 Regt, 325th Div, located in QUI
DAT Village, TUYEN HOA District, QUANG BINH Province, where the regiment
received infiltration training. On 20 Jul 65, Source was promoted to PFC and
the 101 Regt, designated the SONG LAM Group, began infiltration. From Jul to
Oct 65, the group infiltrated through LAOS and into GAI LAI (VC) Province,
RVN. From Oct 65 to Jul 67, the 3d Bn operated with the regiment throughout
GAI LAI, KONTUM, and DAC LAC (VC) Provinces. In Nov 65, the 101 Regt was
renamed the 33d Regt, Worksite 1. From Jul to Oct 67, Source received
treatment for malaria at the V-2 Hospital, B-3 Front, located near the T-4
Station, GAI LAI (VC) Province. In Dec 67, Source was promoted to corporal
and made a messenger for the Rear Service Staff, Worksite 1, located at Point
7, KONTUM (VC) Province. From Dec 67 to Jul 68, he was a messenger at Point
7. From Jul to Oct 68, Source received treatment for his malaria at the 84th
Hospital, B-3 Front, located in the jungle in KONTUM (VC) Province.
(2) Oct 68 to DOC. In Oct 68, Source became a cook for the K-18
Hospital, Worksite 1, located in GAI LAI (VC) Province; in Dec 68, the K-18
Hospital was renamed the K-32 Hospital. From Dec 68 to Feb 69, the K-32
Hospital was located in the KATUM area, CAMBODIA; from Feb 69 to Jun 70, it
was located in the XOM GIUA area, CAMBODIA. In Dec 69, Source was promoted to
squad leader. From Jun 70 to May 71, the K-32 Hospital was located in the GAY
DAU area, CAMBODIA. In Sep 69, the K-32 Hospital became subordinate to the
94th Rear Service Regt, but in Sep 70, the 94th Regt was disbanded, and from
Sep 70 to May 71, the hospital was subordinate to C-30. On 20 May 71, the
K-32 Hospital was disbanded, and Source was promoted to assistant platoon
leader and was assigned to the 1st Plat, 2d Inf Co, 1st Inf Bn, C-30, located
in the TA XANG area (vic WT797743), ROMEAS HEK District, SVAY RIENG Province,
CAMBODIA.
Page 3 of 7
From 20 May 71 to his DOC, Source was a soldier in the 1st Bn, which had the
mission of engaging Allied forces along Highway 1 in the CAY DAU, TA NOT, and
TA XANG areas, CAMBODIA. On 22 Jun 71, Source was captured.
h. Additional References; CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; MACV
IDHS Biographical File; May; VIETNAM, AMS Series, L7016, Sheet 6437 I, Edition
1, dtd 1965, Scale 1:50,000
2. PW Sighting in KONTUM Province:
a. Circumstances of Sighting. Around 1000 hours on an unspecified
day in Aug 67, Source sighted four PW, believed to be US personnel, on a
jungle trail in KONTUM Province, RVN, approximately 15 kilometers from the
Cambodian border and about fifteen minutes walk fro the T-7 Commo-liaison
Station (exact location unknown). Adjacent to that part of the jungle trail
was a deserted campsite which apparently had recently been used by an
infiltration group of about 400 men. There was a sign nailed on a tree by the
campsite that indicated the direction to the T-7 Commo-liaison Station.
Source believed that the location of sighting was east of the station but
could not be certain. At the time of the sighting, Source and two companions
from his unit were heading southward on a rice procurement mission. They had
stopped at the location described above for a rest. After resting for twenty
minutes, Source way three NVA soldiers escorting four PW coming from the
direction in which Source and his companions were heading; the PW and their
escort were apparently heading in a northwesterly direction. About 10 meters
from Source, the guards led the PW to sit down on the ground in a circle. Out
of curiosity, Source and his two companions approached the PW but did not get
closer than five meters before the guards ordered them to stay away. The PW
were tied together in a row, each by one wrist. Source did not recall whether
it was the left or the right wrist. After the PW sat down, the guards gave
them cigarettes to smoke. Each of the three guards had one AK-47 (basic load
unknown). Source observed the PW for about ten minutes after which Source and
his two companions departed.
b. Description of PW:
(1) Identification of PW No 1:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Unknown
(c) Nationality, US (assumed)
(d) Physical Description:
1 Height: 1.75m
2 Weight: 78kg
Page 4 of 7
3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Blond; Unknown
4 Race: Caucasian
5 Complexion: Ruddy
6 Hair Length: Medium
7 Moustache: Dark brown and full
8 Nose, Long and Thin
9 Tatoos, Scars and Birthmarks: None visible
10 Build: Husky
11 Age: 25 (estimate)
12 Glasses: None seen
13 Rings/Watches: None seen
(2) Identification of PW No 2:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Unknown
(c) Nationality, US (assumed)
(d) Physical Description:
1 Height: 1.70m
2 Weight: 70kg
3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Light Brown; Brown
4 Race: Caucasian
5 Complexion: Pale white
6 Hair Length: Medium (hair very thin)
7 Nose: Long and Thin
8 Moustache or Beard: None
9 Tatoos, Scars and Birthmarks: None visible
10 Build: Thin
Page 5 of 7
11 Age: 23 (estimate)
12 Glasses: None seen
13 Rings/Watches: None seen
(3) Identification of PW No 3
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Unknown
(c) Nationality, US (assumed)
(d) Physical Description:
1 Height: 1.73m
2 Weight: 70kg
3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Brown; Brown
4 Race: Caucasian
5 Complexion: Ruddy
6 Hair Length: Medium
7 Moustache or Beard: None
8 Nose, Short and Thin
9 Tatoos, Scars and Birthmarks: None visible
10 Build: Heavy
11 Age: 22 (estimate)
12 Glasses: None seen
13 Rings/Watches: None seen
(4) Identification of PW No 4:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank and Branch of Service: Unknown
(c) Nationality, US (assumed)
(d) Physical Description:
Page 6 of 7
1 Height: 1.75m
2 Weight: 80kg
3 Color of Hair and Eyes: Black; Brown
4 Race: Negro
5 Complexion: Very dark
6 Hair Length: Very short
7 Moustache or Beard: None
8 Nose, Thick, short
9 Tatoos, Scars and Birthmarks: None visible
10 Build: Husky
11 Age: 30 (estimate)
12 Glasses: None seen
13 Rings/Watches: None seen
(5) Clothing Work by the PW. Source could only remember that
the clothing of the PW was greenish in color and that they might have been
wearing boots of a black color. Source's recollection of the PW clothing was
exceedingly vague. Source did not remember seeing any rank or unit insignia
worn by PW.
(6) Physical Condition of PW. None of the PW appeared to have
been ill or wounded. They looked tired and appeared not to have shaven for
four or five days.
(7) Personal Information of PW. Source knew nothing concerning
the personal background of the PW.
(8) Capture Data. Source knew nothing concerning the
circumstances of their capture nor did he know anything about where they came
from or where they were going.
c. Evacuation Procedures. Source was not knowledgeable concerning PW
evacuation procedures.
d. VC/NVA Policy concerning the Treatment and Disposition of US PW.
Source was not knowledgeable concerning the VC/NVA policy in this regard.
e. Biographical Correlation. The MACE IDHS Biographical file listed
four MIAs who were last known to be in the KONTUM Province at
Page 7 of 7
(vic ZA085831) on 24 Aug 67. Both in terms of time and general location,
there appear to be some correlation between those four PW sighted by Source
and those MIAs listed in the file. According to information obtained from the
JPRC representative, the four MIAs were the crew of a UH-1 helicopter which
crashed in the location mentioned above. Only the remnants of the helicopter
could be seen during an air search of the crash site. According to JPRC
information, the helicopter did not crash as a result of enemy fire. However,
two things conflict with the above correlation. First, Source could not
identify any of the four MIAs from their photos in the JPRC Photo Album.
Second, Source described one of the four PW he saw as a Negro. (Interrogator's
Note: One of the four MIAs listed (JPRC No 00000004) could have been confused
for a Negro by Source in the opinion of both the JPRC representative and the
interrogator. However, when shown the photo of (JPRC No 00000004) Source did
not think the person was Negro.) The four MIAs referred to above were:
Name Photo Number
ALLARD, RICHARD M. 00000004
GOFF, KENNETH B. Jr. 00000096
HOLTZMAN, RONALD G. 00000128
SCHELL, RICHARD J. 00000254
f. Photo Identification. Source was shown the US PW Photo Album as
well as miscellaneous photos of US PW MIA provided by JPRC. Source could not
make any positive identifications. When he came to the photos of the four
MIAs, Source showed no signs of recognition.
(U) COMMENTS: Source scored Average (18) on the Cross-Culture) IQ Test. He
appeared to be in good health. He was cooperative and his answers to control
questions were consistent. CMIC PW Sighting files had no IRs containing
information relating to this report.
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