Duc Lap Camp (also known as Duc Lap Special Forces Camp or Hill 722) is a former U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base southwest of Buôn Ma Thuột in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
| Duc Lap Camp | |
|---|---|
 Duc Lap Camp, 24 April 1967 | |
| Coordinates | 12°25′41″N 107°40′30″E / 12.428°N 107.675°E |
| Type | Army Base |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1966 |
| In use | 1966–72 |
| Battles/wars |  Vietnam War Battle of Duc Lap |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 5th Special Forces Group |
Duc Lap Airfield | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 2,264 ft / 690 m | ||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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History
edit
The 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-239[1] first established a base here in October 1966. The base was located 67 km southwest of Buôn Ma Thuột and approximately 14 km from the Cambodian border.[2]
In August 1968, the base was manned by Special Forces, three members of the 403rd Radio Research Special Operations Detachment, 11 ARVN special forces and over 600 CIDG troops.[3]
From 23–25 August 1968 the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 95C Regiment attempted to overrun the base.[4][5] The assault was defeated at a cost of six U.S., one ARVN, 37 CIDG, 20 civilians and over 303 PAVN killed.
The 20th Special Operations Squadron used Duc Lap as a forward base for operations into Cambodia.[5]: 506
In October 1969 the PAVN again besieged Duc Lap and Bu Prang Camp, with the siege only being broken by the ARVN in December.[4]: 315–6
In December 1970 the base was transferred to the Vietnamese Rangers.
Current use
editThe base has reverted to jungle.
References
edit- ^ Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 246. ISBN 9780811700719.
- ^ Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 162. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ Long, Lonnie (2013). Unlikely Warriors: The Army Security Agency's Secret War in Vietnam 1961–1973. iUniverse. pp. 235–6. ISBN 9781475990591.
- ^ a b Stanton, Shelby (2008). Special Forces at War: An Illustrated History, Southeast Asia 1957–1975. Zenith Press. pp. 244–7. ISBN 9780760334492.
- ^ a b Lindsey, Fred (2012). Secret Green Beret Commandos in Cambodia: A Memorial History of MACV-SOG's Command and Control Detachment South (CCS), and Its Air Partners, Republic of Vietnam, 1967–1972. Author House. pp. 189–90. ISBN 9781477273081.