[0072-72.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: CB 8. REPORT NUMBER: 6 029 0072 72
2. SUBJECT: (U) Sighting of Three 9. DATE OF REPORT: 26 Feb 72
Captured Journalists (handwritten-W33552)
10.NO. OF PAGES: 6
3. ISC NUMBER: 723.600 11.REFERENCES: DIRM: 1Q16
SICR: D-7CX-49018
BRIGHT LIGHT
BUN BOAT ICP
4. DATE OF INFORMATION: Apr to Jun 70 12. ORIGINATOR: US Element, CMIC, USMACV
5. PLACE AND DATE OF ACQ: FANK G2 Hq,
PHNOM PENH CB
6 Feb 72
13. PREPARED BY: HARRY H. KAUPP
CW2, USA
6. EVALUATION: SOURCE F INFORMATION 6
7. SOURCE: Returnee Interrogation 14. APPROVING AUTHORITY: (SIGNED)
DAVID L. PEMBERTON
LTC, USA
Dir, US Elm, CMIC
15. SUMMARY
(C) This report contains information regarding the sighting of three
captured journalists in KAMPOT Province, Cambodia, in Apr and Jun 70 to
include circumstances of sighting, physical description of the PW, capture
data and biographical correlation. THIS IS A BRIGHT LIGHT REPORT. MACV FOR
JPRC. THIS REPORT PARTIALLY SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF GUN BOAT ICP (BTA
UNK).
1. (C) Background Information:
a. Name: NHIM SA UM CMIC C-007 72
b. Rank: None (VC)
c. Position and Unit of Assignment: Assistant Director, Mil/Civ
Health Committee VC/NVA region 35, Cambodia; Central Hospital, SRE CHENG,
CHUUK District, KAMPOT Province, Cambodia.
d. DPOB: 1949; DAMNAK KANTUOT Village, TRACH District, KAMPOT
Province, Cambodia.
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 AND GOC.
18: ATTACHMENT DATA: None
Page 2 of 6
e. Parents' Name as Father, MA MANN, (living);Mother, NHIM VETH, (living)
f. Circumstances of Return: Source took the opportunity to rally to FANK
G2 on 1 Feb 72, while on a 5-day leave from 0a unit, during which Source was
to visit his parents who resided at PHNOM DAMREY Hamlet, DAMNAK KANTUOT
Village, KG TRACH District, KAMPOT Province, Cambodia. At the time of his
return, Source had the following items in his possession:
(1) One leave document, valid for 5 days, signed by SAING SORY, Commander,
KHMERE ROUGE Military Subdivision, KAMPOT Province, Cambodia.
(2) One Chinese instruction booklet for administering Acupuncture
treatment.
(3) One set of syringes and one PINCETTE:
(4) Eleven various sized Acupuncture needles, concealed in a long hollow
ballpoint pen.
(5) One thermometer.
Source was dissatisfied with the oppressive policies of the KHMERE
ROUGE/VC/NVA and took the earliest opportunity to return.
g. Significant Activities.
(1) DOB to Mar 70. Source attended primary school at DAMNAK KANTUOT
Village. TRACH District, KAMPOT Province from 1955 to 1961. From 1961 to 1968
Source attended advanced schooling at the KIRIVON PRASAT Pagoda, DAMNAK
KANTUOT Village, TRACH District, KAMPOT Province. From 1968 to Mar 7O, Source
worked with VC units as a civilian sympathizer.
(2) 23 Mar 70 to DOR. On 23 Mar 7O, Source joined the VC/NVA and attended
basic training SDACH KONG Mountain (vic VS49213), TUK MEAS Village, TRACH
District, KAMPOT Province. Upon the completion of basic training at the end of
Apr 70, Source wee assigned to the 410th NVA Infantry Bn and participated in
military operations against TRACH District until US/ARVN Units appeared in the
area at the end of May 70. From Jun 70 to Aug 70, Source received specialized
medical training at CENTRAL Hospital (no further designation) ORE CHENG (vic
VT375097). Source attended classes taught by a Chinese doctor, TOEUV SO, with
30 other students from RVN, some Vietnamese residing in CAMBODIA, and local
KHMER ROUGE. A large portion of the medical training consisted in techniques
and application of acupuncture. After completing this medical training, source
was assigned to the local dispensary at THNAL BATH Village, KOHTHLA District,
KAMPOT Province, where he remained a member until his date of return to FANK
G2 on 1 Feb 72.
Page 3 of 6
h Additional References: CMIC PW/Rallier Exploitation Guide; Photographs
of Journalists Missing in CAMBODIA, published by independent News Services;
Maps: INDOCHINA, Sheets No 226, East, KAMPOT, No 227, West HA TIEN, and Sheet
No 217, Scale 1:100,000
2. (C) Sighting of Three Captured Journalists. The following information
is provided in accordance with SICR D-7CX-49018 (POW Intelligence):
a. Circumstances of Sighting. Source observed the first two prisoners
during Apr 70, soon after their capture at THNAL BATH Village, (vic VS295882)
KOHTHLA District, KAMPTO Province, CB, while they were in the process of
being taken to KOMPONG TRACH for interrogation purposes. Source claims to have
observed the two prisoners again, two days later, shortly before they were
supposedly executed. Source also claims the identical sighting circumstances
for the 3rd prisoner, with the exception of the dates. The 3rd prisoner was
captured during May or Jun 70. During these sightings Source was a member of
the local dispensary at THNAL BATH Village, (vic VS295882), KOHTHLA District,
KAMPOT Province, CB.
b. Description of PW:
(1) Identification of prisoner No 1:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank/Position: Journalist (hearsay)
(c) Nationality: US (hearsay)
(d) Physical Description:
Height: 1. 80m
Weight: 80kg
Hair: blonde short
Eyes: unknown
Race: Caucasian
Complextion: fair
Mustache/beard: None observed
Nose: normal
Tatoos/birthmarks: None observed
Build: stocky
Page 4 of 6
Age: Approximately 35
Glasses: None observed
Rings/Watch: None
(2) Identification of prisoner No 2:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank/Position: Journalist (hearsay)
(c) Nationality: US (hearsay)
(d) Physical Descriptions
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 80kg
Hair: blonde short
Eyes: Unknown
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: light
Mustache/Beard: None observed
None normal
Tatoos/birthmarks: None observed
Build: medium
Age: Approximately 35
Glasses: None observed
Rings/Watch: None
(3) Identification of prisoner No 3:
(a) Name: Unknown
(b) Rank/Position: Journalist (hearsay)
(c) Nationality: US (hearsay)
(d) Physical Description:
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 70kg
Page 5 of 6
Hair: Black, medium length
Eyes: Unknown
Race: Caucasian
Complexion: Dark
Mustache/Beard: None observed
Nose: Normal
Tatoos/Birtmark: none observed
Build: Slender
Age: Approximately 38
Glasses: None observed
Rings/Watches: None
(4) Clothing Worn by PW. The clothing worn by PW No 1, and PW No 2
consisted only of white undershorts. The third prisoner was wearing a light
colored shirt and long trousers. (Interrogator's Note: The clothing worn by
the third PW was probably a khaki uniform) (NFI).
(5) Physical Condition: Source described the physical condition of all
three prisoners as good.
c. Capture Data:
(1) PW No 1 and PW No 2. In Apr 70, two US Journalists (hearsay) were
captured by VC/NVA forces at the intersection of Route DAMNAK CHANG (vic
VS260650). The two journalists were stripped of their personal belongings,
which included radios, photographic equipment and maps (NFI). Source thought
both journalists came from the town of KEP (vic VS257585), which was
completely in control of VC/NVA forces. Soon after their capture, both
journalists were taken to KOMPONG TRACH for interrogation. Source heard that
both Journalists were executed at PHNOM BAK (vic VS425690) two days after
their interrogation (NFI).
(2) PW No 3. In Jun 7O, another Caucasian, assumed to be an American, was
captured in the vicinity of the same crossroads (vic VS258847), while
traveling on National Highway No 3 on a red 350cc HONDA motorcycle. He was
also stripped of his personal belongings, a CAPERA camera and roadmaps and was
taken to POBCEUK (vic VS295882) for interrogation. Three days later the PW was
also supposedly executed at the same location as the other two journalists.
The motorcycle was still being kept at SRE CHENG at the time Source rallied.
(Interrogator's Note: The above information has been confirmed by a previous
FANK G2 Interrogation Report No. 26 dtd 23 Aug 71).
Page 6 of 6
d. Biographical Correlation and Photo Identification:
(1) Biographical Correlation. No biographical correlation was possible
however as previously mentioned, the above information regarding the three
Prisoners had been confirmed by a FANK G2 Interrogation Report No 26 dtd 23
Aug 71.
(2) Photo Identification: Source could not identify the three individuals
from an identification booklet concerning missing Journalists in CAMBODIA,
published by an independent news service.
(C) Comments: Source was cooperative during the interrogation and appeared
to be of above average intelligence. Source will remain with FANK G29 PHNOM
PENH until exploitation is completed.
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