Firebase Delta

{{Infobox military structure

|name=Firebase Delta

|partof=

|location=

|coordinates={{Coord|14.529|N|107.796|E|display=inline|name=Firebase Delta}}

|image=

|caption=

|type=Army Base

|code=

|built= 1967

|builder=

|materials=

|height=

|used= 1967-72

|demolished=

|condition=

|ownership=

|controlledby=

|garrison=

|commanders=

|occupants= Vietnamese Rangers

|battles= 60px
Vietnam War
Battle of Kontum

|events=

}}

Firebase Delta is a former Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase northwest of Kontum in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

History

The base was established approximately 25 km northwest of Kontum.{{cite book|last=Kelley|first=Michael|title=Where we were in Vietnam|publisher=Hellgate Press|year=2002|isbn=978-1555716257|page=142}}

At the start of the Easter Offensive the base was defended by one company of ARVN Airborne and one of Rangers. On 31 March 1972 a CH-47 of the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company on a resupply mission to the base was shot down, the crew survived and made it to the base.{{cite book|last=McKenna|first=Thomas|title=Kontum: The Battle to Save South Vietnam|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|year=2011|isbn=9780813134017|page=85}} On the morning of 3 April as U.S. forces were attempting to evacuate the CH-47 crew the base came under attack by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 52nd Regiment, the assault was repulsed using intensive tactical air strikes and the PAVN suffered 353 killed.{{rp|86}}

On 21 April the PAVN launched an assault by 3 tanks supported by infantry and by the evening had succeeded in overrunning the base.{{cite web|url=http://www.virtual.vietnam.ttu.edu/cgi-bin/starfetch.exe?GHvdsrMcNUbgpFLh7.PAaAJGjLaql6zyM0ISRqz.ZgGULq230shPPA8tnMzMQDBYepRlUkJsHXZTdICEjs9CoKm5yRT7hy@F2jRyub3Usy4iKY2Td2qBYg/1070703002b.pdf|title=U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Command History 1972, Annex K. Kontum, 1973. MACV|page=K-6|accessdate=28 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170722/http://www.virtual.vietnam.ttu.edu/cgi-bin/starfetch.exe?GHvdsrMcNUbgpFLh7.PAaAJGjLaql6zyM0ISRqz.ZgGULq230shPPA8tnMzMQDBYepRlUkJsHXZTdICEjs9CoKm5yRT7hy%40F2jRyub3Usy4iKY2Td2qBYg%2F1070703002b.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

Current use

The base has reverted to jungle.

References