Lt. Col. Frederick D. Leder, Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines 15 Jan 1970 to 26 Jul 1970, POW Jose Jesus Anzaldua Jr., Building of Liberty Bridge An Hoa Da Nang Area
This is a 125 page Log book of Lt. Col. Frederick D. Leder who was Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines during the period of 15 Jan 1970 to 26 Jul 1970. It is written military jargon and mentions that POW E4 Marine Jose Jesus Anzaldua Jr. ,who was captured around Liberty Bridge. Anzaldua was imprisoned from 15 Jan 1970 to 27 March 1973 for a total of 39 months.
This log book has so much information that it will be a work in progress. Most of what is written I do not understand because of the nature of the military jargon used. My reason for posting it is so that any Vet from that era get a behind the scene look at the commanders perspective. Maybe it will answer some questions about policy at the time and why certain actions were taken. This is just a drop of information during the Vietnam War, but it is meaningful to the men that lived it and fought there and maybe can give some answers, that is my hope.
This memo log book has a lot of information, from policy to directives to reports on different actions taken or implemented. I will date at the beginning and end o the posting date so you will know how recent the post is. I have tried the best I can to transcribed so if it do not make sense read the actual posting, for I might have transcribed it what it looked like to me and not actually what Leder meant when he wrote it. I would appreciate a holler if I should make a error.
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End board Whole translation: Lt. Col F. D. Leder, USMC; C.O. 2/5, 14 Jan - 16 May 70; Pistol # 828962 (2 Aug 69) G-3 OPNS III MAF - 5461 My old desk - 5548
End Sheet: ARTY 22 - 2 LT Grumdman |
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| Page 1; Whole translation Div Brief 8 Jan 70 Mares Forstat; 1/5 good- SSgt Goldstien; Div Lt. Danielski 6404; Last visit 31 Dec 69; Satisf w/my discrip; 2/5 poorest in Regt.; ----------------Supply off - Lt. Bogue; Supply material Mgnt Tm.; # courtesy calls in 2/5?; Auth 8(3041) 1 (3051); OH 7 5; Wpns accountability plns; Personal effects; Next supply courtesy -31 Jan 70-----------------G-5 Good proj build ; hamlet offices in area; S-5 under regt control; Use Civic Action as ; another sptg arm |
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| This is Page 2 and 3 the first two pages that you can enlarge to make it easier to read |
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| Page 2 Partial transcribed: In this entries talks about a Col. Lucy and the brig, that real criminals should not be confined in the brig unless it is absolutely necessary. Seems he deals a lot with the legal department |
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| Page 3 Partial transcribed: He seems to be dealing with he first takes command with a lot of administrative directives and problems at first. Later he will get involved with problems in the companies |
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| Page 4 Partial transcribed: This one is dated 11 Jan 70. Have no idea what he talking about other than Bobby Trap area |
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| Page 6 Partial transcribed: Dated 14 Jan 70. |
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| Page 9. This whole page is transcribed: Dated 14 Jan 70 Are companies commanders: H and S 1st Lt. Andrea, Co. E 1st Lt. Stiehl, Co. F 1st Lt. Murray, Co. G 1st Lt. Collins, Co. H 1st Lt. Taylor |
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| Page 10. This whole page is transcribed: This one says: 14 JAN 70; Failures of 2/5 Col. Beck; 1. Basic tactics poor; written Trag? or Frag? or Fxag?- not; carried out. No ammo; sufficient when moving; out.; 2. Helo extract of huskie; 3. Bunching up; constantly - body; traps - take more; causalities than other Bn; 4. Field strenght worst in; Regt. - month after month!; Regt. Aig? or Reg + 135; Example: sick bay routine; more people in Da Nang; Racial probs in 2/5 worst!; 45 Cal pistol missing/stolen; Admin poor - Co level-; MP reports - CO's sign! |
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Page 10. This is a partial transcription. This one says: Failures of 2/5 Col. Beck 1. Basic tactics poor-written Trag? or Frag? or Fxag?- not carried out. No ammo sufficient when moving out. 2. Helo extract of huskie. 3.
Bunching up constantly - body traps - take more causalities than other Bn.. 4. Field strenght worst in |
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| Page 10. This is a partial transcription: 2. Helo extract of huskie. 3. Bunching up constantly - body traps - take more causalities than other Bn.. 4. Field strength worst in Regt. - month after month! Regt. Aig? or Reg + 135. Example: sick bay routine more people in Da Nang. Racial probs in 2/5 worst! 45 Cal pistol missing/stolen Admin poor - Co level- MP reports - CO's sign! |
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| Page 11. This is a partial transcription: Awards must be signed by CO; Send items thru Regt. courts - Bn to Div; Investigating Bn to Rpts to Div---------------------------15 Jan 70 1) Do not destroy bunkers in "F" sector - abandon only 2) S-4"installation insp" ?; 1 and 3 Sat ea month; 3a) Eny destroyed booby traps + |
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| Page 11. This is a partial transcription: 15 Jan 70 1) Do not destroy bunkers in "F" sector - abandon only 2) S-4"installation insp" ?; 1 and 3 Sat ea month; 3a) Eny destroyed booby traps + reported same. Actually disc by 2/5-why no squd report?; b)Eng tractor out to bridge today; 4) S-5 info ? in 2/5 area; 5)22 Jan Red Cross Rep at Regt; 6)Legal Off(lawyer) to be at regt fr now on.;7) LAW or 3.5 rocket at bridge floating raft; This was written in pen along the edge: 1 RR EA F.T. has 2 LAW, 10-12 LAWS ON BRIDGE PAR 3A1 or 3A, Sect 2 |
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| This is Page 12 and 13. I have already transcribed these two pages above. |
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Page 12. This is a partial transcription: XO; 1) Mine and Bobby Trap Report to be signed by CO (me) 2) Orders to
Da Nang - copy to regt S-1; I do not understand at all item 3) LT 5'9"Moustache, Gy Sgt 5'8", LCpl 5'8" Scottish Accent and on the side of it it says Austral Club pn'er Xmas; plump to US 12-20 yrs ago; Went to club- stole plagued wpns E6783 (Pistol) F. B. Radom; |
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| Page 12. This is a partial transcription: Gy Sgt 5'8", LCpl 5'8" Scottish Accent and on the side of it it says Austral Club pn'er Xmas; plump to US 12-20 yrs ago; Went to club- stole plagued wpns E6783 (Pistol) F. B. Radom; CKC rifle C 8016; AK 50 11260210; Search cantonment for contraband 4) Check unauth hot plates, TVs -power shortage problem--------------16 Jan 70 1) Status of PSID batteries |
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| Page 13. This is a partial transcription. Laws (Day) + 4 1man Op's; 2/man Total of 8.; (night)= 1 SQ W/ 8 LAAWS---------------16 Jan 70 1) Land clearing keep; working all day. If ; particular area is bad; move another position (S-4); 2) F Goi Noi island; reevaluate make move; Productive; 3) 1700 Mtg to OD + CMDR Gd for area security Bneif. Regt. |
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