Camp Radcliff: Difference between revisions
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Camp Radcliff was established by the [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|1st Cavalry Division]] in late August 1965. The camp was located on the main highway, QL-19 60km northwest of [[Qui Nhơn]] on the coast and 60km southeast of [[Pleiku]] in the [[Central Highlands (Vietnam)|Central Highlands]]. The camp was named after [[9th Cavalry Regiment (United States)#1st Squadron|1/9 Cavalry]] Major Donald Radcliff, the 1st Cavalry's first combat death, who was killed on 18 August 1965 while supporting U.S. Marines in his helicopter gunship during [[Operation Starlite]].<ref name=Kelley>{{cite book|last=Kelley|first=Michael|title=Where we were in Vietnam|publisher=Hellgate Press|year=2002|isbn=978-1555716257|pages=5-434}}</ref> |
Camp Radcliff was established by the [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|1st Cavalry Division]] in late August 1965. The camp was located on the main highway, QL-19 60km northwest of [[Qui Nhơn]] on the coast and 60km southeast of [[Pleiku]] in the [[Central Highlands (Vietnam)|Central Highlands]]. The camp was named after [[9th Cavalry Regiment (United States)#1st Squadron|1/9 Cavalry]] Major Donald Radcliff, the 1st Cavalry's first combat death, who was killed on 18 August 1965 while supporting U.S. Marines in his helicopter gunship during [[Operation Starlite]].<ref name=Kelley>{{cite book|last=Kelley|first=Michael|title=Where we were in Vietnam|publisher=Hellgate Press|year=2002|isbn=978-1555716257|pages=5-434}}</ref> |
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In order to reduce the amount of rotor-blown dust |
In order to reduce the amount of rotor-blown dust on the landing zone, the men of the 1st Cavalry were instructed to cut back foliage to ground level by hand giving the base its nickname of the '''Golfcourse'''. The 1st Cavalry painted their distinctive [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)#Shoulder sleeve insignia|insignia]] on nearby Hon Cong Mountain providing a landmark visible for many miles.<ref name=Kelley/> The base had a perimeter of 26km and it was the largest helicopter base in the world at the time of its establishment, capable of accommodating the 1st Cavalry's 400+ helicopters.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ulin|first=Robert|title=Witness to History: Reflections of a Cold War Soldier|publisher=Author House|year=2011|isbn=9781456736163|page=25}}</ref> |
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===1968-9=== |
===1968-9=== |
Revision as of 04:20, 27 October 2014
Camp Radcliff | |
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Coordinates | 14°00′00″N 108°34′59″E / 14.00°N 108.583°E |
Typ | Army Base |
Site information | |
Condition | abandoned |
Site history | |
Built | 1965 |
In use | 1965-70 |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | 1st Cavalry Division 173rd Airborne Brigade 4th Infantry Division |
Airfield information | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
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Camp Radcliff (also known as An Khê Army Airfield or the Golfcourse) is a former U.S. Army base in the An Khê District in central Vietnam.
History
1965-7
Camp Radcliff was established by the 1st Cavalry Division in late August 1965. The camp was located on the main highway, QL-19 60km northwest of Qui Nhơn on the coast and 60km southeast of Pleiku in the Central Highlands. The camp was named after 1/9 Cavalry Major Donald Radcliff, the 1st Cavalry's first combat death, who was killed on 18 August 1965 while supporting U.S. Marines in his helicopter gunship during Operation Starlite.[1]
In order to reduce the amount of rotor-blown dust on the landing zone, the men of the 1st Cavalry were instructed to cut back foliage to ground level by hand giving the base its nickname of the Golfcourse. The 1st Cavalry painted their distinctive insignia on nearby Hon Cong Mountain providing a landmark visible for many miles.[1] The base had a perimeter of 26km and it was the largest helicopter base in the world at the time of its establishment, capable of accommodating the 1st Cavalry's 400+ helicopters.[2]
1968-9
In January 1968 the 1st Cavalry moved to Camp Evans and Camp Radcliff was taken over by the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The 173d stayed at Camp Radcliff until mid-1969.[1][3]
1970
The 4th Infantry Division was stationed at Camp Radcliff from April-December 1970 following which the base was abandoned.
Current use
The base is abandoned and turned over to farmland.
See also
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References
- ^ a b c Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. pp. 5–434. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ Ulin, Robert (2011). Witness to History: Reflections of a Cold War Soldier. Author House. p. 25. ISBN 9781456736163.
- ^ Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 340. ISBN 9780811700719.