VIETNAM SITUATION REPORT

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06772386
• Document Creation Date: January 28, 2019

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Approved for Release: 2019/01/17 C06772386
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Memorandum For: Deputy Director for Suppdr
Subject: Vietnam Situation Report'
The following is a survey of cable traffic from close of business 2 February
to 0700 hours 5 February 1968,
Personnel:
1.
The following agency affiliated personnel were reported as unaccounted for
on 1 February: Mr. Eugene -Weaver, Staff, Mr. David Hayes, Staff, Capt. Robert
Hubbard - USMC - Military Detailee, Mr. Virgil Harris, Contract, and
These people were located in Hue, SVN prior to 1
February. A cable (in 63753) was received at 0130 hours, 5 February indicating
that Virgil Harris, and Robert Hubbard where among a unit of
individuals who escaped from Hue, SVN and made way to Hung Thuy Sector on 4
February. While enroute the group was hit by the VC. Harris was wounded (con-
dition unknown) and is reported as being in Phu Bai Hospital at the present
time. Robert Hubbard was also wounded (condition unknown) and remained behind
dust South of a small bridge South of Hue, who was not reported as
wounded or hurt apparently is returning to Hue with a small group of PRUS
possibly to pickup the remaining wounded. According to another cable (#43555)
claimed that the CIA employees located in Hue had
split up into two groups prior to a Febuary and were to attem t to make an
escape from Hue. Supposedly based on cable traffic Harris, and Hubbard
comprised one of these groups The other group of employees has not been heard
from as yet and did not known just where they might be headed. A review
of other cables suggests the possibility that other U.S. civilians may be
holding out at the Hue TV station and at a house near the CORD headquarters
in Hue. These reports have not been confirmed as yet and no names of the U.S.
civilians have been mentioned in cable traffic. There is also mention on 2
February that 12 American civilians are wounded at the MACV compound in Hue
and that of these people 8 have been Medivaced. Again no names of those wounded
were given.
2. A PRU advisor went into Hue on .3 February with a Marine convoy in
conduct a through search for our personnel. The Marines were funni
the locations of houses in Hue where CIA personnel are housed and
avoid shelling these areas if possible. No word has been received
to this search operation as yet. Incoming cables from Saigon still
that Headquarters refrain from notifing the families of those emp]
still reported as missing.
Physicial Security:
order to
shed with
asked to
relitave
suggest
_oyees
1. During the weekend there have been various reports of VC attacks on different
Police Stations in Saigon especially in the Cholon district. In general these
attacks have been repulsed but several policemen have been wounded. Tan Son
Nhut airport. outside Saigon is reported to be back to normal operation includ-
ing commercial flights. The Saigon Government will apparently resume normal
operation on Monday, 5 February. There is a curfew in Saigon which will be
in effect from 1700 hours until 0800 hours. The curfew was previously on a
24 hour basis but it has been lifted from 080: to 1700.
CROP
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Vietnam Situation Report
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2. Military action in Hue is still reported as quite active. Reportedly there
are approximately 1000 VC in the city and the Marines are now tngaged in
house to house fighting. Another battalion of VC are reported as approaching
Hue from the South and Southeast areas in an effort to augment the VC troops
in the city. We are receiving communicationslfrom the city although in an
infrequent manner. The VC are reported to have control of the Jail and
part of the Citidel. But the Marines are making slow progress in clearing
out the Citidel area. The airfield is under ARVN control but no incoming
or outgoing flights have been reported. The Route #1 bridge across the
Purfume River at the Southeast entrance to Hue has been destroyed by the VC.
3. The situation from a military standpoint is still considered as serious
in Kontum, Ban Me Thuot, Ben Tre and Bien Hoa Province. In other areas
of SVN fighting has subsided and normal operations are resuming.
Logistics:
1. No serious Logistics ibrobleMs,inVOlyingOIAlpersonnel have been reported
in cable traffic received thus far.
Communications:
1. Communications in SVN are still considered in excellent condition with the
exception of Hue. This situation is caused by the considerable military
action in the city which is disrupting normal activity.
The cable traffic received during the weekend from SVN is considered light as
compared with traffic received last week.
./ sborn
Director of/Security
Approved for Release: 2019/01/17 C06772386
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