Vandegrift Combat Base
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vandegrift Combat Base (also known as FSB Vandegrift and LZ Stud) is a former U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base north of Ca Lu in Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam.
| Vandegrift Combat Base | |
|---|---|
April 4, 1968 1st Cavalry forces at LZ Stud | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Army/Marines |
| Condition | abandoned |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 16.7°N 106.88°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1968 |
| In use | 1968-71 |
| Battles/wars |  Vietnam War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 1st Cavalry Division 9th Marines ARVN 2nd Division |
History
1968
LZ Stud was originally established by the 1st Cavalry Division on Route 9 in early 1968 to support Operation Pegasus, the relief of Khe Sanh Combat Base.[1] On 14 March engineer construction began on a 150 feet (46 m) x 2,500 feet (760 m) airstrip and a logistical complex at LZ Stud.[2]: 11 On 24 March the quartering party moved to LZ Stud and began work on command and communications bunkers. By 29 March the strip was opened for C-7 Caribou aircraft. On 30 March the 11th Aviation Group moved to LZ Stud.[2]: 6
The base was later occupied by the 9th Marine Regiment, part of the 3rd Marine Division who renamed it Vandegrift Combat Base after Marine General Alexander Vandegrift.[1][3]
1969
From January–March 1969 Vandegrift was used to support Operation Dewey Canyon, an offensive into the A Shau Valley south of the base.
On 9 April 1969 a Marine Sikorsky CH-53A Sea Stallion helicopter (BuNo 153738) of HMH-462 crashed into the logistics support area at Vandegrift triggering a large fire.[4]
In October 1969 the base was handed over to the ARVN 2nd Division who dismantled it and used it to reinforce Camp Carroll.[1]
1971
In late January 1971 the base was reoccupied by the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division in support of Operation Dewey Canyon II and Operation Lam Son 719.[3]
On 21 March PAVN sappers attacked the base destroying 10,000 gallons of aviation fuel.[5]: 117
Current use
The base is abandoned and turned over to farmland.
