Firebase Fuller
Firebase Fuller (also known as Dong Ha Mountain or Hill 549) is a former U.S. Marine Corps, Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase in central Vietnam.
| Firebase Fuller | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 16.811°N 106.890°E |
| Type | Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1969 |
| In use | 1969–1972 |
| Battles/wars |  Vietnam War Easter Offensive |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 3rd Battalion 9th Marines 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines |
History
The base was established on Dong Ha Mountain northeast of The Rockpile north of Highway 9 during Operation Lancaster II.[1][2]
The 3rd Battalion 9th Marines secured Fuller as part of Operation Virginia Ridge on 2 May 1969.[3]:73 By July the 1st Battalion 9th Marines had assumed responsibility of the area around Fuller.[3]:138 Elements of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines provided artillery support at Fuller.[3]:243
In late September 1969 as part of Operation Keystone Cardinal the 3rd Marine Regiment began its withdrawal from South Vietnam handing over control of Fuller to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines.[3]:151 The 4th Marines in turn handed over Fuller to elements of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) on 5 November 1969.[3]:166
On 30 April 1970 at 00:55 a unit of the 1st Brigade at Fuller received mortar fire followed by an attack by People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) sappers. The defenders returned fire supported by artillery and helicopter gunships and the PAVN withdrew leaving 16 dead.[4]
On 16 August 1970 a unit of the ARVN 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment at Fuller was hit by 70 120mm mortar rounds killing 14 ARVN and destroying 20 bunkers.[5]
1971
On 22 June 1971 following an artillery barrage the PAVN launched a major attack on the ARVN base on Fuller, despite reinforcements and B-52 strikes the ARVN were pushed out of Fuller, but recaptured the base on 28 June having killed over 500 PAVN. A further PAVN attack on 1 July was repulsed.[6]
1972
By January 1972 the ARVN 3rd Division had assumed responsibility for the area north of Highway 9.[7]:32 Fuller was occupied by the 1st Battalion, 2nd ARVN Regiment.[7]:36 From January the ARVN on Fuller together with the Vietnamese Marines on Firebase Sarge reported a buildup on PAVN forces in the surrounding area.[7]:32
The PAVN launched their Easter Offensive on 30 March 1972 and PAVN artillery fire hit Fuller along with all other ARVN and Marine positions along the DMZ.[7]:38 Units of the PAVN 308th Division assaulted Fuller and by midday on 31 March the PAVN had overrun Fuller.[7]:45
Current use
The base has reverted to jungle.
Dong Ha Mountain
Firebase Fuller in 2008
Firebase Fuller 2008
References
- Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 5–192. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- Shulimson, Jack (1997). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 366. ISBN 0-16-049125-8.
- Smith, Charles (1988). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494287627.
- "Headquarters MACV Monthly Summary April 1970" (PDF). Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. 17 August 1970. p. 73. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- "Headquarters MACV Command History 1970 Volume III 1970" (PDF). Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. 19 April 1971. p. E-19. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- "South Vietnamese fight for Fire Base Fuller". History Channel. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- Melson, Charles (1991). U.S. Marines In Vietnam: The War That Would Not End, 1971–1973. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1482384055.