Đức Cơ Camp
| Đức Cơ Camp | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 13°47′17″N 107°37′37″E / 13.788°N 107.627°E |
| Type | Army Base |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1964 |
| In use | 1964-73 |
| Battles/wars |  Vietnam War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 5th Special Forces Group |
Đức Cơ Airfield | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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Đức Cơ Camp (also known as Đức Cơ Special Forces Camp or Chu Dron Special Force camp) is a former U.S. Army and
The base was located on QL-19 13 km from the Cambodian border and approximately 55 km west of Pleiku.[1]
History
The
In late May 1965 the
1966
In May 1966 Operation Paul Revere was launched in the Đức Cơ tactical area. On 24 June the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry and 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment engaged a PAVN Battalion close to the Cambodian border losing 15 U.S. killed. On 3 July a 35th Infantry platoon was ambushed and overrun with the loss of 17 U.S. and 23 PAVN killed.[5]
1967
The 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry was based at Đức Cơ in June 1967.[2]: 141
The 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry was based at Đức Cơ from September 1967 to February 1968.[2]: 141
The 1st Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment was based at Đức Cơ at various times in 1968/9.
The base was transferred to 81st Border Rangers.[1]
1972
On 2 November following a PAVN artillery barrage, a PAVN tank-infantry assault overran the camp forcing its Ranger defenders to retreat to positions 500 yards (460 m) to the east where they were joined by ARVN reinforcements. Three tanks were reported destroyed by airstrikes.[6]
1973
On 20 January during the War of the flags period before the Paris Peace Accords came into effect on 28 January 1973, the PAVN 320th Division attacked the camp and by the next day seized the camp.[7] The International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) established to monitor the Paris Peace Accords set up a base at Đức Cơ to monitor PAVN movements into Pleiku Province, however the ICCS team was never permitted outside its compound without PAVN escort and was not allowed to observe any traffic or military activity. Because of inadequate health protection and sanitation facilities provided by the PAVN, all the ICCS members became ill with malaria, dysentery, or other ailments and the ICCS base closed in May 1973.[7]: 36
Current use
The base has been turned over to farmland and housing.[citation needed]
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ ISBN 9780811700719.
- ISBN 978-0-451-17205-1.
- .
- ^ "Engagements Near Duc Co Airfield (1966)". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
- ^ "Enemy captures a Highlands post". The New York Times. 3 November 1972. p. 11.
- ^ ISBN 9781410225429.