Dak Seang Camp

Dak Seang Camp (also known as Dak Seang Special Forces Camp) is a former U.S. 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 Camp, 19 July 1968
Coordinates14.826°N 107.686°E / 14.826; 107.686 (Dak Seang Camp)
TypeArmy Base
Site history
Built1964
In use1964-70
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Battle of Dak To
Garrison information
Occupants5th Special Forces Group
Dak Seang Airfield
Summary
Elevation AMSL2,156 ft / 657 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
1,400 427 clay

History

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.

Dak Seang Camp, 9 May 1970

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.

Accidents and incidents
  • 2 April 1970, C-7A Caribou #61-2406 was shot down while dropping supplies to Dak Seang killing all 3 crew[4]
  • 4 April 1970, C-7B Caribou #62-4180 was shot down while dropping supplies to Dak Seang killing all 3 crew[5]
  • 6 April 1970, C-7B Caribou #63-9746 was shot down while dropping supplies to Dak Seang killing all 3 crew[6]
  • 15 April 1970 UH-1H #68-16203 was shot down while landing ARVN troops resulting in 2 U.S. and 2 ARVN killed
  • 15 April 1970 HH-3E #66-13280 of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron was shot down while trying to rescue the crew of UH-1H #68-16203 resulting in 1 crewman killed

Current use

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

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References
  1. Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 246. ISBN 9780811700719.
  2. Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. pp. 5–133. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  3. "Rosendo Montana SP5". The Virtual Wall. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  4. "de Havilland Canada C-7A Caribou 61-2406". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  5. "de Havilland Canada C-7B Caribou 62-4180". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  6. "de Havilland Canada C-7B Caribou 63-9746". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
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