CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS CONCERNING THE SEIZURE OF THE USS PUEBLO

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00253349
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 31, 2021
• Case Number: F-2018-00781
• Publication Date: January 25, 1968

Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
/0
TOP SXRET 1.111111
25 January 1968
MEMORANDUM: Chronology of Events Concerning
the Seizure of the USS Pueblo
1. All times are given in Zulu (Greenwich)
and Eastern Standard Time; For North Korean time
add 14 hours. Note: Incident occurred between
1200 (Noon) to 1430 Korean time. All information
is based on the latest available reporting.
10 January 1968
USS Pueblo arrived on station off the North
Korean coast for a three and one-half week
SIGINT collection operation.
19 January 1968
200850a - 200350 EST
Position of Pueblo reported as 41-50N.
which is the northern most position reached
by the Pueblo.
44421 January 1968
220600Z - 220100 EST
Pueblo reported its position as 39-148N
128-07.0E. (DIW) Pueblo's direction of travel
L44$4 Pueblo reported sighting two North Korean
116�((k
was changed from south to northeast.
2209152 - 220415 EST
:1/4r ships at an estimated 1009 -yards,range at
1 41'4
'220325Z. They appeared to b fishing boats.
22 January 1968
2301002 - 222000 EST
Pueblo reported its position as 39-24.0 N
127-59.0 E. Pueblo reported it was steam-
ing north.
-1-
TY*11:3 Q 144n Es-r,
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TOP S.CRET
25 January 1968
22 January 1968
230300Z - 222200 EST
Pueblo encountered North Korean subchaser
Nbr. 35 at 39-25.2N 127-55.0E approximately
17 nautical miles off North Korean coast
and 24 nautical miles from Wonsan. Sub-
chaser hoisted signal "heave to or I will
open fire on you" Pueblo was dead in the
water. Patrol craft circled several times.
Pueblo hoisted US Engign and by signgi ad-
vised the North Koreans he was in interna-
tional waters. Pueblo advised COMMAND FOR
JAPAN of its intention to remain
in the area if feasible or otherwise with-
draw slowly to the northe,asjt.
-2--
TOP CRET
_Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TOP /CRET
25 January 1968
22 January 1968
230400Z - 222300 EST
Pueblo reported North Korean subchaser Nbr.
35, joined by three patrol craft (Nbrs. 601,
604, and 606), hoisted a signal to "follow
my wake." Two MIG's circling overhead.
Patrol craft 604 backed towards Pueblo's
bow with fenders rigged. Armed landing
party said to be on the bow of Pueblo.
Pueblo departing area under escort.
-3-
TOP/EGRET
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TOP C RET 11111111111
25 January 1968
230429Z - 222329 EST
Pueblo reported three North Korean torpedo
boats and one subchaser have surrounded
her and plan to open fire now at 2304292.
230445Z - 222345 EST
Pueblo reported being boarded by North Korean
personnel.
230445Z - 222345 EST
Pueblo reported boarding by North Korean
personnel. Position given as 39-25N 127-
543E. SOS was also sent.
230450Z - 222350
Pueblo reported it was probably being es-
aarflia into Wonsan.
-4-
TOP C RET
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TOP s CRETIN..
25 January 1968
230510Z - 230010 EST
Pueblo reported it had three wounded and
one man with his leg blown off.
NortIi
Koreans have requested Pueblo to follow their
patrol boats into Wonsan. Pueblo has not
used any weapons nor uncoveFeCI�ITs 50 cali-
ber machine guns. Pueblo also reported
that it did not intend to offer any resistance.
230525Z - 230025 EST
Pueblo re orted
States intention of
keeping circuit open as long
as possible.
230532Z - 230032 EST
Pueblo reported "have been directed to come
to full stop." Pueblo reported it was going
off the air now.
23 January 1968
231021Z - 0521EST
CINCPACFLT ordered COMSEVENTHFLT to place
a destroyer with appropriate air cover out-
side a 12-mile limit off Wonsan, North Korea.
231136. - 0636EST
COMSEVENTHFLT directs Enterprise to proceed
into the Sea of Japan, provide air cover,
and position one destroyer off Wonsan to
be joined by a second destroyer when avail-
able.
-5-
TOPXCRET Mal
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TO P RET 1111111111
231515Z - 1015EST
COMSEVENTHFLT directed Osbourn to get under-
way from Buncker Bay to rendezvous with US
TG 70.6.
231047Z - 1347EST
CINCPACFLT directed fleet units to proceed
no further north than present position and
not to position a destroyer off Wonsan. (On
receipt, Enterprise maintained stationary
PIM (Position Impended Movement' 34-00 N
128-42 E, subsequently moved south to
32-30 N 127-30 E to gain sea room.)
23 January 1968
232241Z - 1741EST
CINCPAC directs CINCPACAF to deploy 12 F-
105s and 8 F-4Cs to Osan, South Korea.
-6-
TO P EC RET
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TOP /CRET
232309Z - 231809EST
JCS directed CINCPAC to have the Ehterprise
and Task Group 70.6 move to position 35-30N
130-15E (approximately 40 n.m. off Pusan)
with ETA of 241800 EST.
240730Z-240230EST
Enterlorise joined Higbee, Truxton and Osbourn,
now circling in rendezvous area at 32-'50 N
-7-
TOP CRET MEM
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349
TOP J4CRET MEMO
127-46E. Collett and 01Bannon steaming
for rendezvous, ETA Collett 0350 EST,
O'Bannon 1930 EST.
-8-
TOP ECRET
Approved for Release: 2021/03/25 C00253349