Dak Seang Camp (also known as Dak Seang Special Forces Camp) is a former US Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base northwest of Kon Tum in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Dak Seang Camp
(Dak Seang Airfield)
 
Kon Tum, Central Highlands in Vietnam
Dak Seang Camp, 19 July 1968
Dak Seang Camp is located in Vietnam
Dak Seang Camp
Dak Seang Camp
Shown within Vietnam
Coordinates14°49′34″N 107°41′10″E / 14.826°N 107.686°E / 14.826; 107.686 (Dak Seang Camp)
TypeArmy Base
Site information
OperatorArmy of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)
United States Army (U.S. Army)
ConditionAbandoned
Site history
Built1964 (1964)
In use1964-1972 (1972)
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Battle of Dak To
Garrison information
Garrison5th Special Forces Group
Airfield information
Elevation2,156 feet (657 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00 1,400 feet (427 m) Clay

History

edit
 
Dak Seang Camp, 9 May 1970

The 5th Special Forces Group and CIDG forces [1] first established a base at here in 1964 to monitor communist infiltration along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The base was located 10 km from the Laotian border, 23 km northwest of Đắk Tô and approximately 64 km northwest of Kon Tum.[2]

5th Special Forces Detachment A-245 was based here in October 1966.[1]: 248 

On 18 August 1968 the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 101D Regiment, supported by artillery attacked the camp. The attack was beaten back with small arms and artillery fire.

On 1 April 1970 the PAVN attacked the camp starting a siege that lasted until 8 May. At the same time the PAVN attacked the Dak Pek Camp. On 15 April 1970 the 170th Assault Helicopter Company dropped the 3rd Battalion, 42nd ARVN Regiment into a landing zone near Dak Seang, resulting in the loss of two helicopters.[3] Sergeant Gary B. Beikirch a 5th Special Forces Group medic would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the siege. SFC Gary L. Littrell would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the siege as an advisor to the ARVN 23rd Battalion, 2nd Ranger Group.

On 29 October 1972, following a 1,000+ round artillery barrage, the PAVN attacked the camp forcing its 300 Ranger defenders to abandon it by nightfall.[4]

Shootdowns

edit

Current use

edit

The base has been turned over to forest and housing adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-8117-0071-9.
  2. ^ Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 5-133. ISBN 978-1-55571-625-7.
  3. ^ "Rosendo Montana SP5". The Virtual Wall. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  4. ^ Craig Whitney (31 October 1972). "Communists seize camp in Highlands". The New York Times. p. 1.
  5. ^ "de Havilland Canada C-7A Caribou 61-2406". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  6. ^ "de Havilland Canada C-7B Caribou 62-4180". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  7. ^ "de Havilland Canada C-7B Caribou 63-9746". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 November 2014.