Landing Zone Brillo Pad
Landing Zone Brillo Pad (also known as LZ Brillo Pad) is a former U.S. Army base west of Kontum in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
| Landing Zone Brillo Pad | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 14.3286°N 107.742°E |
| Type | Army Base |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1968 |
| In use | 1968-9 |
| Battles/wars |  Vietnam War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 4th Infantry Division |
History
The base was first established in 1968 approximately 28 km west of Kontum and 36 km southwest of Đắk Tô.[1]
The base was occupied by the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry.
On 16 May 1968 People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces attacked an 11-man Long-range reconnaissance patrol observation post approximately 1 km from Brillo Pad. Three U.S. soldiers were killed, including Sergeant Anund C. Roark who would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. On the same day a 122mm rocket killed one U.S. soldier at Brillo Pad.
Starting on 26 May 1968 the base was hit by PAVN mortar and rocket fire over a four-day period[2] killing 12 U.S. and wounded 41, this was followed by a ground assault, resulting in 41 PAVN killed.[1]
The base was abandoned by U.S. forces in early 1969.
Current use
The base is abandoned and largely turned over to housing and farmland.
References
- Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 69. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- "Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters 4th Infantry Division, Period ending 31 July 1968" (PDF). 23 December 1968. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.