VIET CONG AMBUSH OF MILITARY CONVOY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00008116
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: September 12, 2023
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2023
• Case Number: F-2020-00509
• Publication Date: June 18, 1964

Approved for Release: 2023/02/17 C00008116
CENTRAL INTELLIGENC'E AGENCY
WASHINGTON 25, D, C.
OFFICE Of THE DIRECTOR
SANITIZED cOPAC
MEMORANDUM FOR: The President
SUBJECT : Viet Cong Ambush of Military Convoy
1. During my conVersation with you on 18 June, you drew attention to
the report by Homer Bigart in the 13 June edition of the New York Times
concerning the strong Wet Cong attack on a military convoy near Ben Cat,
north of Saigon. You desired to know whether it was correct that many
vilagers must have witnessed the preparations for this ambush and that
they failed to inform the Ben Cat military garrison because of intimidations
by the Viet Cong.
2. The
reports that the Big,art story is substantially
correct. The details of his story have been confirmed by the Ministry of
Interior, by the Vietnamese Military Security Service, and the United States
MACV. It clearly appears that residents in the nearby area were well aware
of the ambush two to four hours in advance but were under threat not to
betray t Viet Cong.
Content UNCLASSIFIED.
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0,
The area in question is generally considered to be Viet Cong
controlled though it is sparsely populated. It remains unexplained as to
why artillery support was not requested by the Ben Cat garrison.
4. Ngo Dinh Nhu, political advisor to President Diem and Nuyen
Dinh Thuan, Secretary of State for the Presidency, have told
representatives of an unconfirmed report that the Viet Cong attack force
was disguised as South Vietnamese Army personnel. Milan has ordered
a full investigation of the incident.
5. The; "notes that in a Viet Cong
controlled area such as this and where the Viet Cong have both the means
and willingness to carry out reprisals, there will continue to be a fear on
the part of villagers to reveal foreknowledge of an attack.
(1)UvLvtezt-tA.--.,_.
John A. McCone
Director
Approved for Release: 2023/02/17 C00008116