Cai Cai Camp

Cai Cai Camp (also known as Cai Cai Special Forces Camp or Dan Chu Camp) is a former U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base northwest of Bình Thạnh Đông on the Plain of Reeds in southern Vietnam.

Cai Cai Camp
(Cai Cai Airfield)
 
Bình Thạnh Đông, Plain of Reeds in Vietnam
Cai Cai Camp is located in Vietnam
Cai Cai Camp
Cai Cai Camp
Shown within Vietnam
Coordinates10.9258°N 105.51°E / 10.9258; 105.51
TypeArmy Base
Site information
OperatorArmy of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)
United States Army (U.S. Army)
ConditionAbandoned
Site history
Built1965 (1965)
In use1965-1973 (1973)
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
Garrison5th Special Forces Group
Airfield information
Elevation7 feet (2 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00 1,500 feet (457 m) Clay

History

The base was established by the 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-412 in April 1965 30 km northwest of Bình Thạnh Đông and 3 km from the Cambodian border.[1]

The camp was frequently a target for Vietcong fire and was severely damaged by flooding in 1965 and 1966. In 1967 Detachment A-412 was redesignated as Detachment A-431.[2]

On 18 January 1968 forces from Detachment A-431 engaged a Vietcong force near the camp and SGT Gordon Douglas Yntema would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

The base was handed over to the ARVN 76th Border Rangers in September 1970.

Current use

The base has been turned over to farmland and housing.

References
  1. Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 5-81. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. Rottman, Gordon (2011). Special Forces Camps in Vietnam 1961-70. Osprey Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 9781780961408.
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