During the Vietnam War the US military conducted a centralized effort to identify, locate, and rescue its POW/MIAs. Code-Name Bright Light. This program was designed to provide the identities and locations of American Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. While the program succeeded in freeing hundreds of captive South Vietnamese soldiers it resulted in the rescue of few Americans. The vast network of efforts, however, is a testament to the U.S. military’s unknown commitment to freeing its captive soldiers. The United States secretly went as far as any army could go in freeing its captives in this type of wartime situation. Our understanding of the war remains incomplete without this powerful history.
As a military intelligence officer, I was involved in one of these operations. Now please remember I was an intelligence officer and as a result my job was to collect the intelligence and pass it on to the proper agencies for them to operate effectively. It was often frustrating in the fact that I had gathered the information, but I was unable to go into the field to actually work the operation.
This is a fictional account of one such operation. Due to its length, I will be posting this blog over the next two weeks. Additionally, I’ve used some unfamiliar Vietnamese and military terms so they have been ‘footnoted’ for my readers.
Just to set the scene; I had just returned from Saigon after my normal monthly Provencial intelligence briefing for General Abrams, the Commanding General of Military Assistance Command – Vietnam (MACV) . I went back to the Provence Intelligence Operations Center (PIOCC) to talk to my Vietnamese counterparts. There I received from them some very interesting information that is the basis for this story:
Lieutenant Tyler, now that you are back, let me have someone get you a cup of tea after we finish our drinks,” said Major Suan, the Province Senior Intelligence Officer. “We have been developing some interesting information while you were having fun in Saigon, and I think that you will be very interested in what we are learning. Police Commissioner Cam has received a noteworthy report that you need to listen to.”
When they finished their drinks, one of the office’s privates brought Paul a cup of tea and refilled Suan’s and Cam’s cups. Ông[1] Cam pulled out a map and started to explain what had been reported from Paul’s old stomping grounds, Nhon Nhin Two.
“Trung úy, I know that you have worked in the Base Area during your assignment at Ap Bing. You know that this is a very old and well-established headquarters for the Việt Cộng and NVA operating in and out of IV Corps. One of my police officers working in the Nhon Nhin Two village down in Kien Bing District was approached by a woman whose son desires to become a Hồi Chan[2] and desert from the Việt Cộng. However, she and her family wanted to be relocated once that happened. The officer reported this to your old friend Cảnh Sát [3]Trưởng My van Lo in Ap Bing, and he contacted the Hồi Chan officer here in the PIOCC for assistance in their potential relocation.
This man is reportedly a member of a medical unit that operates a hospital in the Base Area. When he was interrogated, he told the Hồi Chan official that he had seen an American POW in the hospital, and he had cared for him. I know that you are very interested in these types of reports, and I have a transcript of his interrogation here for you that has been translated into English.
Quận trưởng[4] Cam continued, “we have very good intelligence from this deserter that the man that he cared for was an American pilot who had been shot down and captured in the Vinh Long area. His crew had been killed in the crash when the aircraft exploded, but the pilot was thrown from the helicopter and seriously injured. He was captured and taken to the NVA hospital in the Base Area and treated for his injuries. The Hồi Chan only knew that his name was Williams. It is reported that this officer is now well enough to be moved to North Vietnam.”
“Thank you for this information gentlemen. Once again, you have done an excellent job, and I salute your joint efforts. I need to get this information to my people in Saigon who deal in these issues. They call this a ‘Bright Light’[5] report, and I must make an immediate notification to the 525th MI Group Commander.”
With this information and interrogation report in hand Paul rushed back to see the Province Senior Advisor, Colonel Hollingsworth. ‘Bright Light’ reports had ‘flash’[6] precedence and required immediate attention.
Paul went directly to the Colonel and reported the intelligence that he had acquired from his counterparts. If they were preparing to move this officer, they would have only a few opportunities to attempt to recapture him before they got him out of Vietnam and into Cambodia and ultimately into North Vietnam. After a brief discussion Paul prepared the ‘Flash’ precedent message to the Commander of the 525th MI Group in Saigon for the Colonel’s signature and release.
FLASH – BRIGHT LIGHT – FLASH – BRIGHT LIGHT– FLASH
TOP SECRET
Hồi Chan in Kien Song Province reports sighting of American POW in Base Area 41/470 hospital. POW identified only as Williams captured in Vinh Long Province and held in hospital recovering from his injuries. Report indicates that POW Williams is being prepared to move from hospital to North Vietnam.
Hollingsworth sends.
FLASH – BRIGHT LIGHT – FLASH – BRIGHT LIGHT– FLASH
TOP SECRET
Once the message had been reviewed, Colonel Hollingsworth had it delivered directly to the message center; it went out immediately. Within a matter of a few minutes Paul and Lieutenant Colonel Lovelace, the Provinces Deputy Senior Advisor, were in the Colonel’s office. He ordered them to report directly to the 525th MI Group Headquarters in Saigon with all of the information available on the Base Area, a copy of the translated interrogation report, and the normal exfiltration routes into Cambodia through the Kien Song Province area. The message said that they should be prepared to brief the Commander of the 525th MI Group and the command staff at MACV-HQ. A chopper would be arriving at Moc Loi in about an hour to pick them up and bring them to Saigon.
He asked the Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer, Lieutenant Steele to get with his command and see what information that they had. A ‘Bright Light’ mission was perhaps the most intense intelligence operation that could occur in Vietnam. The recapture of an American POW was perhaps the greatest event that could happen and the potential for success, if they were lucky, was high in this case.
Paul quickly assembled a fresh set of khakis and threw them into his ruck sack along with his ribbons and shoes and some civies if they needed to stay overnight. He had recommended that LTC Lovelace do the same just in case they had to brief the COMUSMAC-V himself. It was better to be prepared than to worry about protocol at the last minute.
Within the hour Paul and LTC Lovelace were in the air for a quick and direct trip to Saigon.
They landed at the Tân Sơn Nhứt airfield and were met and immediately taken to the 525th MI Group Headquarters building where they were escorted directly into the office of the Group Commander, Colonel Ray Bowman. Bowman and his operations staff were already in place and had all of the detailed maps and aerial photography of the area available.
Paul briefed them on the intelligence findings and evaluated the source of the information. He informed them that this man was a medical technician and that he had direct dealings with Williams. He had told them in his debriefing that Williams had been brought to the hospital a few months ago and that he was slowly recovering from internal injuries that he suffered during the crash. His left leg and arm had been broken when he had been thrown from the exploding chopper, and he had been placed in a heavy cast. The NVA were waiting until they could remove the cast on his leg so that they could move him. He was now moving slowly with the use of crutches and the Hồi Chan estimated that he could move on his own power in about a week to ten days. At that point they would begin the process of moving him to Hanoi.
Paul was familiar with the Base Area. He had participated in operations there while assigned to Ap Bing. He briefed Colonel Bowman on the major exfiltration routes and emphasized that for someone this important, an American POW, that he would expect them to use the uncontrolled areas along the provincial borders. If they saw movement to the east of the province then they were looking at a movement towards the Parrot’s Beak and they would have to cross the Vàm Cỏ Đông river, pointing at the map, at one of these three identified crossing points. His best estimate was that they would use the border route. It was a direct route and there was less of a chance of interdiction by the U.S. Navy.
Colonel Bowman thanked Paul for his comprehensive assessment and appreciated his detailed knowledge of the area of operation. He turned Paul over to members of his 525th Group IV Corps intelligence staff and brought LTC Lovelace into the operational side of the Group to discuss direct and immediate actions.
“Lieutenant Colonel Lovelace,” asked Colonel Bowman, “what’s your assessment of your young lieutenant’s report?”
“Well Sir, he was assigned to Kien Bing District, where the Base Area is located for about a year as the S-2 and Deputy District Advisor, so he’s very familiar with the area that he’s talking about. He was instrumental in finding a map that laid out in detail the significant infiltration routes through the province that has proven to be very accurate. He’s been the Province Senior Intelligence Advisor now for about three months. He puts a lot of confidence in the Hồi Chan story so in my opinion I think we’ve got a probable ‘Bright Light’ sighting, and we need to react to it immediately.”
“Colonel Lovelace, thanks’ for your assessment of your young lieutenant. Now let me get you with my operations team and see what we can do to try to recapture this American POW and hopefully bring him safely home. After lunch we’ll be taking this to MACV-HQ, and you may have to go through your briefing once again. I don’t know whether the COMUSMAC-V will be there or not but be prepared! I will have my HHQ[7] Commander arrange for billeting for the two of you this evening and we’ll get you back to Moc Loi in the morning.”
“Roger that, and thanks Sir!”
Paul worked with the 525th MI Group IV Corps desk officer and developed the intelligence picture. Paul asked that they put together a series of slide presentations with detailed maps of the Base Area as well as a map showing the possible exfiltration routes out of the province and into Cambodia. He told the captain in charge that he wanted to be ready just in case this was a COMUSMAC-V level briefing; they both knew what that entailed! Paul did a quick practice brief with one of the NCOs to make sure that they could quickly work together, and he could lay out his briefing in a succinct and professional manner, again JUST IN CASE!
During a break Paul called his friend, Martha Greene, at the American Red Cross Notification Center and let her know that he was back in Saigon for the evening and asked if she could snag two rooms at the Massachusetts BOQ for himself and LTC Lovelace. She thought that she would be able to do so and that she’d call back to the 525th HHC and let them know if there was a problem. Paul explained, in as much detail as he could, the situation he and his colonel were in and thanked her in advance for her help.
They got word from Colonel Bowman’s office that they would be briefing the senior MAC-V staff at 1600 hrs. This just gave Paul time to go with his 525th counterparts over to the Air Force Officers Club for a quick sandwich and then get back and into his khakis for the briefing.
At 1500 hrs. Colonel Bowman, LTC Lovelace and First Lieutenant Tyler got into the Colonel’s staff car; his driver took them directly to MACV- HQ. After verifying their IDs, they were given visitors’ badges and taken directly into ‘the tank,’ a secure briefing room in the center of the building where they would conduct their briefing with the senior staff.
General Abrams walked into the briefing room and called everyone to attention. The General walked in and sat down. Colonel Bowman introduced LTC Lovelace and LT Tyler and explained the purpose of this ‘Bright Light’ briefing. LTC Lovelace initiated the briefing by explaining to the General where Kien Song Province was located and pointing out the location of the Base Area 41/470 and its relationship to the province. He then turned the briefing over to LT Tyler.
“Sir, I am First Lieutenant Paul Tyler, the Province Senior Intelligence Advisor for Kien Song Province. This Sir is the location of Kien Song Province (Sergeant points to map)…”
“Hold on, Lieutenant, didn’t you just brief me a couple of days ago just before Thanksgiving? One of John Paul Vann’s boys?”
“Yes Sir!”
“OK Lieutenant no need for the formal bullshit just tell me what I need to know. I don’t need a ‘dog-and-pony show’ like I make everyone go through at the provincial briefings! Got it!”
“Yes Sir, got it.”
Paul went on to quickly explain the source of the information. He explained that there had been a number of reports of a VC/NVA hospital complex in the Base Area and that the informant, a Hồi Chan, was providing them with good intelligence. Paul told the General that he hadn’t been able to verify that Williams was the individual being held. Williams wasn’t on any of the known MIA/POW listing. But there was a report of the death of a Warrant Officer Williams in the Vinh Long area as a result of a helicopter crash a few months ago.
He pointed out to the General the exfiltration routes into Cambodia and that he felt from past experience that they would try to exfiltrate him out and into Cambodia using the route along the provincial borders and through the Nhon Nhin Three area. Paul recommended that operators concentrate on these three areas (Sergeant points to map) since they were bunker complexes that the VC/NVA were known to use to hide out during the day along this route.
“OK lieutenant, good briefing. Thanks! He turned to his Chief of Staff; “OK now Chief, get the staff on this immediately! This is your top operational priority. Let’s get this Warrant Officer Williams back home!”
With that General Abrams rose and everyone came to ATTENTION as he left. A moment later the General’s Aide came in and ordered LTC Lovelace and LT Tyler to come to the General’s office for a quick meeting.
They walked into the Commanding General’s office, stood in front of his desk, and saluted. The General returned their salutes and told them to take a seat.
General Creighton Abrams
“I’ll make this quick gentleman. That was an excellent Spot Brief Lieutenant Tyler. Now Colonel Lovelace what is your estimate of your Kien Song Province military assets, can we count on them, or do I need to send in an American element to try to recapture this Warrant Officer?”
“Sir, Tyler’s PRUs are really good, but we’ll need a bigger team than that on this mission. He’s got 22 PRUs but I’d envision this as a Ranger-type operation. We need to swoop in there fast and quietly.”
“Your feelings, Lieutenant Tyler?”
“Sir, I have to concur with LTC Lovelace. I would like to have my team involved in the operations if for no other reason than to make them a part of something with far reaching ramifications. I’ll recommend that we use them as the Plan-B element, if you know what I mean, just in case for some reason the operation goes sideways. I’ve got a couple of good trackers that can really help.”
“OK Tyler, how do you see this going down?”
“Well, Sir. I read Major Rowe’s book[8] and he said that they usually let him do exercises after their morning meal. I think, if I remember correctly, that he took advantage of those few moments of freedom when he managed to make his escape during a B-52 attack. What I’d recommend is that we lay in-wait until they give him that exercise time and try to grab him then.”
“Tyler, that sounds like a viable recommendation. I’ll get with my operations guys and try to get them to use you and your PRUs – big feather in your cap if we actually get this guy. Now, thanks gentlemen my Aide will see you out.”
They rose, saluted the General and walked out into the hall. Colonel Bowman was waiting for them, and they went back over to the 525th HQ. Their planning staff had additional questions; they indicated that they would keep them informed of the progress of the pending operation.
When they got back to the 525th Group headquarters the HHC Commander informed Paul that there were two rooms available at the Massachusetts BOQ that were held under the name of Martha Greene for him. When they were finished, he had the Colonel’s driver drop them off at the Massachusetts BOQ for the evening. When he got their keys Paul found a note that Martha had left for him. She said that he “owed her big time” when he came to town for his December briefing.
Paul had LTC Lovelace meet him in the BOQ lobby in civies and they grabbed a cab and headed to Roberto’s for dinner. Lovelace hadn’t spent much time in Saigon, so Paul was able to impress him with his favorite restaurant. After dinner they walked over to the Continental for drinks. Afterwards, they caught a cab for the BOQ. Paul told him that in the morning before they left, he’d take the Colonel to his favorite Pho shop near the BOQ, his old stomping grounds.
In the morning after Pho and coffee, they walked back to the Massachusetts BOQ to retrieve their gear. Paul caught Martha as she was getting ready to leave for work. He introduced Martha to LTC Lovelace and thanked her for getting them into the BOQ for the night. Martha smiled and told him that he was going to have to take her to Roberto’s the next time that he was in town and then out dancing!
From the BOQ they caught the shuttle over to Air Operations and caught the “Moc Loi Express” back to the province. By 1100 hrs. they were sitting in Colonel Hollingsworth’s office briefing him on their trip to Saigon and their meeting with the COMUSMAC-V.
“You know, Sir, we’ve got to really start worrying about this young lieutenant. By God, even the Commanding General knew his name, and Tyler can really show you a good time in Saigon! He even rang up a woman who managed to get us two rooms at the Massachusetts BOQ rather than staying at the VOQ. He’s already got a hot dinner date lined up for his next visit to Saigon with a cute Red Cross worker.
If you’re enjoying these blogs, please drop me a comment or if you have any questions that I might answer, submit a comment on the comment pages. I’m always glad to hear from you.
Again, please look at all my books that I have listed. They can be reviewed and/or purchased from Amazon.com with the click of a button directly from my website: http://www.ptaylorvietnamadvisor.com, at Authors Published Works.
The Advisor Series:
- “The Senior Army Instructor; The Paul Tyler Saga Begins” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/BOGSXJ2ZHC)
- “The Advisor, Kien Bing, South Vietnam, 1969-1970. A Novel” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L4X5NQ3)
- “The Province Senior Intelligence Advisor, Kien Song Province 1970-1971; A Novel” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHL2XCX5)
- “The Hardchargers,” Vietnam 1972-1973; A Novel” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7SPR1JY)
- “The Tuscarora Trail” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3QY2GM6)
Civil War History/Fiction:
- “A Civil War History of Harrison County West Virginia 1861-1865” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B0B1CLL28Q
- “The Most Hated Man in Clarksburg” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B0C6429M1X
Science Fiction: (Chuck Neighbors author, Taylor *editor/**co-author)
- *“Destiny” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6WGWHLS
- *“HomeFall” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJN1JLWF
- **“The Planet’s Revenge; The Katy Sterling Saga Continues” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYQBHC6C
[1] Ông, Vietnamese for Mister
[2] Hồi Chan – deserter from the VC/NVA this was a successful program that offered relocation options to deserters.
[3] Cảnh Sát – Local Chief of Police
[4] Quận trưởng – Vietnamese for Police Chief
[5] ‘Bright Light’ was a code name for any report on the location of an American held as a POW inside Vietnam
[6] “Flash” messages had to be reacted to IMMEDIATELY they were the highest priority of messages.
[7] HHC – Headquarters and Headquarters Company is made up of the headquarters staff and headquarters support personnel.
[8] MAJ Rowe was an American POW who managed to escape from his captors in 1968 after five years in captivity.
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