OFFICIAL STATUS: CAPTURED

CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED

RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: There are reports that SP4 McLean was captured alive and uninjured, and numerous later reports identified him as a prisoner of war. No reports of death have been received subsequent to these sightings.

REFNO: 0054 16 Jun 75

CASE SUMMARY

1. (U) On 10 February 1965 SP4 James H. McLean was serving S6 as a medic with an element of Advisory Team 88 at Duc Phong in the vicinity of grid coordinates (GC) YU 458 068 in South Vietnam. At 2400 hours 31 9 February 1965, Duc Phong came under attack and was seized by the VC. Initial efforts to reinforce the camp were unsuccessful due to darkness. (Ref 1)

2. (U) At first light on 10 February 1965 elements of the ARVN 36th Ranger Battalion were inserted into the area to retake the camp. Sometime before 0930 that morning an American was observed being held captive in the vicinity of (GC) YU 452 065. Because of enemy fire helicopters were unable to rescue him. At 1530 hours the ARVN 36th Ranger Battalion recaptured the Duc Phong camp. At that time the bodies of three American advisors were recovered. It was determined that the captured American seen that morning was SP4 McLean.' (Ref 1)

3. (C) A Vietnamese officer also captured in this action ,and released 27 March 1965 reported that at the time of capture SP4 McLean had not been wounded. The VC had moved the prisoners at a fast pace toward the northwest for two days. Then the prisoners were moved in another direction at a slower pace for another two days. The camp at which McLean and the Vietnamese were held was believed to be in the vicinity of either (GC) YU 390 300 or (GC) YU 480 210. (Ref 2)

4. (C) In June 1965 an ARVN Ranger Sergeant who had been held by the VC from 11 May 1965 to 9 June 1965 reported seeing McLean in the same camp. The ARVN Sgt identified the area of the camp as having been in the vicinity of (GC) YU 345 125. On 9 June 1965 when he last saw him, McLean was in good health. (Ref 3)

5. (C) In August 1966,a Montagnard who had been captured by the VC in August 1965 and had escaped sometime in May or early June 1966 stated that after capture he had been taken to a camp in the vicinity of (GC) YU 380-300. There he had met McLean and was given the duty by the VC of caring for McLean. At this time McLean was ill with diarrhea and malaria. The prisoners remained at this camp for two months. They were then moved to a second camp for two months and then taken to a third camp. While at the third camp an American operation surprised the VC and forced them to move the prisoners quickly. It was at this time that the Montagnard escaped. (Ref 4)

6. (C) Two ARVN releasees in late September 1965 were able to identify (GC) YU 477 289 as the location where they had been held with one US prisoner believed to be McLean. A night parachute raid was planned for 15 October 1965 by USASF personnel on this location (NFI). (Ref 5)

7. (C) On 20 October 1966 an ARVN intelligence agent reported that he saw an American PW at (GC) YU 336 155. The American is believed to be McLean. (Ref 6)

8. (C)During a Special Forces operation a piece of equipment made from the headband of US overseas cap was recovered. Stenciled in the headband was McLean's name and service number. This had been found in the vicinity of (GC) YU 155 594. (Ref 7)

9. (U) The Province Representative discussed this capture with the Province Chief but hostile threat in the area precluded any visit to or ground investigation of the sites involved in this case. The Two-Party Joint Military Commission was given details of this case. Details of this case together with information indicating enemy knowledge of the case were turned over to the Four-Party Joint Military Team with A request for any information which would assist in determining status and resolution.. No response was forthcoming.

10. (U) SP4 James H. McLean is currently carried in the status of Captured.

(U) REFERENCES USED:

1. RPT (U) HQ USMACV Det Phouc Binh Thanh Special Zone,21 Feb 65.

2. RPT (C), 704th Intel Corps Det (CI), 13 Apr 1965.

3. RPT (C), 704th Intel Corps Det (CI), 8 Jul 1965.

4. RPT (C), Region III 135th MI Group, 5 Sep 1966.

5. RPT (C), Region III 135th MI Group undated Oct 1965.

6. RPT (C), Region III 135th Intel Corps Group, 9 Nov 1966.

7. RPT (C), 135th MI Group, 2 Dec 1966.