[0884-71.CM 02/25/96]

[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 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

2. SUBJECT: (C) PW Sighting in KONTUM Province

3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600

4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Aug 67

5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: CMIC, SAIGON, VS 3 Aug 71

6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6

7. SOURCE: PW Interrogation

8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0884 71

9. DATE OF REPORT: 18 Aug 71
(handwritten-W32064)

10.NO. OF PAGES: 7

11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 6G1, 6G3 BRIGHT LIGHT

12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV

13. PREPARED BY: GREGORY T. HSU, SP5, USA

14. APPROVING AUTHORITY:
(signed)
PAUL G. SPERO
Dir, US Elm, CMIC
LTC, USA

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

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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.

[Distributed through the P.O.W. Network]

[ssrep7.txt 02/09/93]

On August 24, 1967, a helicopter from the 119th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, with nine men on board was returning on low level flight to the Division's base. While flying down the Dak Bla River at an altitude of thirty feet, the helicopter began to turn around to check out a sighting of unidentified persons along the river bank but was apparently caught in a downdraft and crashed into the river. Four on board were rescued and the body of another solider was recovered later.

Specialist Fourth Class Holtzman was in contact with the pilot after the crash but was swept away in the swift moving ten foot deep river and was later declared dead/body not recovered. The remaining three were declared missing. The area the men were declared missing was searched by Special Forces personnel from Forward Operating Base 2 but without success. A later search of the area on December 26, 1969, found the river ten feet higher than when the aircraft first crashed into the river.

In 1970 Sergeant Allard's next of kin advised the U.S. Army that a CBS film showing U.S. POWs included one individual she believed to be her son. Still photographs from the film were of poor quality and could neither prove nor disprove her statements.

Early in 1972 Sergeant Allard's next of kin advised the U.S. Army she had received a telephone call shortly after her son's disappearance and only one word was spoken but the next of kin believed it was Sergeant Allard calling from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She visited Phnom Penh and Vientiane, Laos in late January-early February 1972 and upon her return to the U.S. stated she had seen her son at a Viet Cong prison in Phnom Penh, insisting her son's status be changed to POW.

The U.S. Army's investigation of the next of kin's allegations led to a determination that the underground prison at the pagoda which was the site of the alleged sighting was at the historical center of Phnom Penh, open to the public and tourists, and the site of various cultural and religious events. Based on this and other inconsistencies and implausibilities, the U.S. Army concluded the sighting had not taken case as alleged by the next of kin. The next of kin's allegations, sparked by assistance from Rev. Lindstrom of the Save The Pueblo Committee, received national news in the New Hampshire Sunday News, New York Times, the NBC Today Show, Reader's Digest, and other media. An individual that the next-of-kin asserted could verify her story was located in Costa Rica and that individual denied having seen any POWs.

In March 1974, Sergeant Allard was declared dead/body not recovered
based on a presumptive finding of death.

Although his official case is now marked as "closed", there are still many unanswered questions.