Duc Lap Camp
Duc Lap Camp, 24 April 1967
Coordinates12°25′41″N 107°40′30″E / 12.428°N 107.675°E / 12.428; 107.675 (Duc Lap Camp)
TypeArmy Base
Site history
Built1966
In use1966–72
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Battle of Duc Lap
Garrison information
Occupants5th Special Forces Group
Duc Lap Airfield
Summary
Elevation AMSL2,264 ft / 690 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3,300 1,006 crushed rock

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.

History

Attack on Duc Lap Special Forces Camp, 24-25 August 1968

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

The base has reverted to jungle.

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. p. 162. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  3. ^ Long, Lonnie (2013). Unlikely Warriors: The Army Security Agency's Secret War in Vietnam 1961–1973. iUniverse. pp. 235–6. ISBN 9781475990591.
  4. ^ a b Stanton, Shelby (2008). Special Forces at War: An Illustrated History, Southeast Asia 1957–1975. Zenith Press. pp. 244–7. ISBN 9780760334492.
  5. ^ 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.
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