Harman Patil (Editor)

Dak Seang Camp

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Type
  
Army Base

In use
  
1964-70

Closed
  
1970

Province
  
Kon Tum Province

Built
  
1964

Construction started
  
1964

Opened
  
1964

Occupant
  
5th Special Forces Group

Dak Seang Camp wwwstripescompolopolyfs12981691408016847i

Battles/wars
  
Vietnam War Battle of Dak To

Occupants
  
5th Special Forces Group

Similar
  
Saigon Zoo and Botanical, Khe Sanh Combat Base, Cam Ranh Bay, Black Virgin Mountain

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.

Contents

History

The 5th Special Forces Group and CIDG forces 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 Cambodian border, 23 km northwest of Đắk Tô and approximately 64 km northwest of Kon Tum.

5th Special Forces Detachment A-245 was based here in October 1966.

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 last 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. 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 April 1970, C-7B Caribou #62-4180 was shot down while dropping supplies to Dak Seang killing all 3 crew
  • 6 April 1970, C-7B Caribou #63-9746 was shot down while dropping supplies to Dak Seang killing all 3 crew
  • 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.

    References

    Dak Seang Camp Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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