Confidential-Army-Investigating-Into-Looting-In-Snuol-Cambodia

Pages 3-5: Report of Inquiry into the Extent of Damage and the Veracity of News Accounts of Looting by U.S. Troops in Snuol, Cambodia, June 11, 1970 Pages 7-9: Decision Paper: Report of Inquiry into the Extent of Damage and the Veracity of News Accounts of Looting by U.S. Troops in Snuol, Cambodia, June 20, 1970 CONFIDENTIAL ARMY INVESTIGATION INTO LOOTING IN SNUOL, CAMBODIA

Report of Inquiry into the Extent of Damage and the Veracity of News Accounts of Looting by U.S. Troops in Snuol, Cambodia, June 11, 1970 CONFIDENTIAL ARMY INVESTIGATION INTO THE LOOTING IN SNUOL, CAMBODIA

ph Y ” _ __ CONFIDENTIA RERRENGE OF GFE SHORT Tour Report of Inquiry tuto the Extent of Damage and the AvEIG Veracity of News Accounts of Looting by US Troops in Souol, Cambodia To DETER Tow hE 11 rT ET ue 1 Pr ALT a ve IN TURN "I 1. © E: To inform the Chief of Staff of the results of an inquiry into the extent of damage suffered by the village of Smuol, Cambodia and the veracity of news ‘accounts alleging looting by US troops in that village. 2, (C) BACKGROUND: a. On 5 May 1970, the Deputy Chief of Staff, IIFFV, directed the 1G of that comand to conduct an inquiry to determine the extent of damage in the village of Snuol, Cambodia and the disposition of certain French and Cambodian civi- lians. On 8 May 1970 the inquiry vas expanded to include alleged looting of the village by US troops (BLUE TAB A). . 1 b. The inquiry was conducted during the period 6 - 23 May 1970 and a copy of the report vas forwarded to this headquarters for information on 6 June 1970 (RED TAB A). c. On 2 June 1970, DA (TIG), informed MACY that local nevs media were alleging that US troops had looted the town of Snuol and that Congressional interest had re : sulted in a query to the SECDEF for information about the alleged incident. DA (TIO) requested information be provided by electrical transmission as soon as possible (RED ™ 3). 4. On 6 June 1970, MACY 1G provided DA (TIG) with a general sumary of the find- ings of the TIFFV inquiry concerning alleged looting in Smuol, Cambodia (RED TAB C). 3. (C) DISCUSSION: a. The inquiry vas concerned with facts and circumstances associated vith combat operations in and around Smuol, Cambodia, on or about 5 May 1970 and concluded that: : - (2) Most of the damage to the village was caused by aerial high explosive and napalm boabs from an airstrike directed on the village to assist in the reduction SF hostile forces firing on the 24 Squadron, llth Armored Cavalry Regiment, Some of the damage was caused by direct fire of tank weapons and small arms and some of “he buildings on the southern outskirts of the town had been destroyed prior to the arrival of US forces. (2) Combat occurred in Snuol because: (a) NVAIVC forces planned, prepared, and executed a defense of the village and | its vicinity. (b) The Commander, 2d Squadron, 11th ACR, although instructed by BG Shoemaker ADC, 1st Cavalry Division) not to allow minor resistance to force damage in Suuol, ee DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR yA Ure a ary ts oF OUR ron APTER 1G ¢ 

* Te v MT - , " CONFIDENTIAL r> 0 Es etn i ST SC Ske tad le Accounts of Looting by US Troops in Snuol, Cambodia dh BAIR a amtbeshs Sa Ch ct. ig zat Yate ASL TE eo Seth Eh riir sll imlll ee dorset; nope Smuhsai tr SE pT Shs a E50 JE ates saa fe Be a. Te Rr set UAL 52 Ssh Tuanih Savane fae etl iame Soe at eR Fn 0 towne. 0.2. the stpechacen 25,000 TPR SRSA 8 rong in ena ir She STL te sme A re il a a TE (The entrance date, and the destruction of a portion of, the village of Smut ee re ee atta sseiousd vo the 20 Saad, he (5) Very few noncombatants were present in Snuol at the time of the action. (6) The news accounts concerning looting by US troops im Snuol were exaggerated. Soft drinks and a motor scooter were taken, and a back hoe (small tractor) used by NVA/UG was seLll in the hands of the 2d Squadron, lth ACR. The motor scooter has been returned to Snuol, Pilferage of other items was attempted but was stopped by Junior leaders. Allegations of looting of beer, mirrors, suitcases, shoes, clocks, Hlashiight batteries, thermos coolers, and "wads" of Cambodien currency were not substantiated. No evidence of burning of sheds after cessation of combat nor of forceful entry of buildings was found. b. The report of inquiry recommended that: (1) The Commanding Officer, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, be directed to deter= mine the rightful owner 6f the back hoe and accomplish its return. (2) The report of inquiry be approved and the inquiry closed. (3) Information copies of this inquiry be fusnished CG, USARV, CG, lst Cavalry Division, and CO, llth Armored Cavalry Regiment. c. The testimony of the Commanding Officer, 2d Squadron, llth ACR, (RED TAB A - RED MARKER) established that certain French civilians were located and evacuated. 4. The report of inquiry did not recommend disciplinary action ageiust any loos ol 2 amin TiAl GON anaes? 

- II oN PE CONFIDEXTIAL a16 SUBJECT: Report of Inquiry into the Extent of Damage and the Veracity of News Accounts of Looting by US Troops im Snuol, Cambodia 4. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that: a. That the Chief of Staff mote the above and the Report of Inquiry at RED TAB A. b. That the Report of Inquiry be provided the USARV G3 and GS for information and any action deemed appropriate. c. After review by the USARV G3 and G5 the report be returned to this office for file. LIST OF TABS ed RED TAB A - Report of Inquiry Colonel, 1G RED TAB B - Message to MACV from Inspector General DA (TIG) RED TAB C - Message to DA (TIG) from MACY 1G 

Decision Paper: Report of Inquiry into the Extent of Damage and the Veracity of News Accounts of Looting by U.S. Troops in Snuol, Cambodia, June 20, 1970 CONFIDENTIAL ARMY INVESTIGATION INTO THE LOOTING IN SNUOL, CAMBODIA

= ~ prowOSITION FORM ls arm soe AR 30:1 the popenant sammy 1+ The 5 NTIAL pri : all Report, of Tony Sutvamsiey Binh, Sethe To gots conour fenconoir_— FRR Sart Judge Mvocate OATS 20 June “O70 ry ® semen ie— CPT Linsberger/on/* © 3 1, Thisisa Slciston paper. 5. PROTEG To determine any further action Tequired on the Report of Investigation 2 ncerning Saul, Cambodia. 5. FACTS SEARING Of THE PROKLAM: a. On 5 Vay 1970, the 24 Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, had the mission of onuring he city of Smo, Carbadia, During evibat operations in and around Smudl, onprodnately half of the village vas Sictroyed and there wers reports of looting and Pillage by American soldiers. b. There exists inconsistency as to the exact mission of the 24 Squadron ConCeII- ing Snuol. Colonel Starry and Lieutenant Oe Brocshive both state that the mes 128 as to socure Toutes in end out of Suck. $16 Brookshire refers to a decision oe omee1t and OGL Starry sbout going into Stu 30L Starry states that he and De amine. docided that Lt vas bast to typass HO village. LIC Brookshire Le cindloss went into the villege for tacticel Teascns: 4 wy 6. Most of the witnesses questioned stated that they recelvedifire from the vill- age and in onder to protect themselves, Lt ue oagsary to fire upon the village and 1 "in serial strikes against:Snucl. 4 : 1 4. herial photographs and eye witress reports substantiate ‘the t, tigh: Smuol vas being used by NVA/VC elements as asdefensive position.: ee andotrirast weapans, field fortifications Jan! trenches vere, all noted in “photographs and by “those oe lar above Smuol, :Mditionelly, the Statement by en NVA captive Shows that the NVA vere to protect Sauol and to set up defensive positions. Haare Fy : x oh 9h gm 3k a TET Bards a, Raparta, of Looting nd BLSES 200 Sonfimed by statements’ in, fo #18. KK" notarbike, cases of so08. dt os elased; anf peor bladep arelamongitiie He 45 rien: tioried jas ;being ken, The dence, hole 400s, HOR) supper the reparts bhat mse: {vonomne ct Bret Sih ten So , shoes) ano pullonses tod Hlect, 1 15 i Ege i slams toe (gieze. aden Hig reve: tir only Last ind 1 =i Sele Lhe mcemeolee CE re a a HE Af mg era ooh eros nh deste: | posse on VL al FEE See | Bai wehesine boils thew ey f ere Ey jr nla Se ee [ FEE 4% eos ar Ean die pet GUE S 5 A 4 mise ston; of b GA RR RE a ae RE 2 2 alin os sy dio Mr opatEel i Ln Zo risen iis de Tov in nd Vestn (RET oth 3 1 those Haw he jafinsh, gostrrigtion of FndeOndt pernilasL i tia do fa stfategie WILLARY) tangel andi the piltace fam lor p14 galt A ist Lets CONFIDENT © oy Gos BEA gd ETT 0 Shar Eagar Io0 iusto = SET Tori Boa BACHE sn viens TET ie a0 Sak ga INR 2 

JE CONFn-. : AVDATA nM i EL . b. The Investigating Offs aor o ud. . N Snuol was caused by aseroy Bambee Se ey . orcmar fads Liot SMe Torcas sera using Sit ars Lo LI Shtengt, fLHonel Sumas vag mvsad i hr VL: LTT L ion eet ep lr Suect themsnlyss. sng Sy a, rom Pro 107 Ko Toa oekdence supsorts the fingiags or Ll Tnvmeiizattng ber oe! Theat, {aa VC elenents vere in Such ang tony’ ne Tago apt puny 1 2% Purpose alone, There was mo or Ret er Pe the Geneve Conventions,” "° "0 Violatim of tre ming ne Te Sorated, Ti JAR OFLcor conciuiod that reperts of 0s were SosgeTated. This doss not tas aay fans tn 220 that Tootens Ae fort oh Tol pene; Sod Deen lL ete Coen Lon: ronorais T2 YEAE B mert an w Sinem PEE on be considered’ 0S TL TIES W ehes en Sho tere Lar tater value me Ln Cred ares oF sent ent Saif inns Yken fe in soraiuntion So TAY olsen an rie ST additional looting ave not substantiated, The evidence does show that Aneri- nen aahs 18 attempt to loot vane Shooh tut were. sued Lael Sy SHOE Tootnstisns: It 2005 appour that thers uns vers reine emcka CIROT Tooting atisnpte. 5. RECOMENDATIONS: a. That this Report of Investigation be accepted, . Diy That Sertroopers of the 1st Cavalry Divieten (mobile) be given spe ite nfarmati © on proper hanavior br avon hat), rons such channels as Troop Information topics, The First Team Academy instruction, © ete... ¥ g. That this investigation be maintained on file at the Office of ; the Division 1G, | 4 “a ey hp Gra — es CREE E TS TF 4 gE 371 i WERT id 2 4 La SLE { £4: Sup 4 CONFIDENTIAL 1 ¥4 a 254. SSE YER rh : FEY Sedan Bi ty XA is 7 3 Sorradod ELAS wen i LEE “hd PAAR EER ¢ 

1 - UNIT: 24 Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment 2. L0GATION: Snoul, Cambodia ’ 3. DATE: 5 May 1970. ROI conducted 6-23 May 1970 4. ALLEGATION/PURPOSE: 4 ALLEGATIONEUIOSS: This inquicy vas concerned with the facts ahd circu os associated with combat operations in and around Smoul, Cambodia on of about 5 Hay 19705 to include, andinquizy as to how and why damage to this Village came about, in View of orders to avoid the village, andinquiry to a3- { cortain the extent of damage within Snoul, and an inquiry into the veracity and accuracy of the news accounts of looting by troops in Snoul. 5. SOURCE: News accounts appearing in “The Vietnamese an" 5 SRCE: Mer oo ET ioor” so Guardian” on 8 May 1970 6. FDDINGS: a. Most of the damage to the village was by aerial explosive nt rapa ag caused by aerial high explosi b. Combat occurred in Smoul because: (1) NVA/VC forces planned, prepared and executed a defense of the village and its vicinity. (2) The CO 11th ACR felt the main emphasis of his orders was to cut the routes into and out of Soul within a short period of time. co. About 50% of the structures in Snoul were destroyed or damaged. 4. The entrance to and destruction of a portion of the village xas unnect essary to the accomplishment of the mission. o. Very few non-conbatants sere present in Snoul at the tine of the action. £. News accounts concerning lootings y US troops in Snoul ar exaggerated. Sort drinke and a motorscooter wers taken, and 2 backhoo used by the NVA/VC is oT ronda of the 2d Squadron, 11th ACR, The motor scooter has een returned. in the BaTGf other items was atiempted but was observed and stopped by junior TO re8® Maitional allegations of looting and burnings were not substantiated. 7. IG ACTION: Received R0I from II Field Force and forwarded to C/S, DG, C3 and GS for information. 5. UNIT ACTION: Unknown. 9. ADDITIONAL ACTION: Unknown. 10. FOLLO4-UP: Unknow.i oy nrymwsNTIY TT a 2, UE 1x y CONFIDONL AL DOFIGRIDRD £7 5 YTD THINS DEoLio.iTiiz AFIT IZ AES 50D BIR GE 10