Song Mao Base Camp

Song Mao Base Camp (also known as Firebase Song Mao) was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base northeast of Phan Thiết in southeast Vietnam.

Song Mao Base Camp
Song Mao, 31 January 1967
Coordinates11.26°N 108.491°E / 11.26; 108.491 (Song Mao Base Camp)
TypeArmy
Site information
Conditionabandoned
Site history
Built1962
In use1962-1975
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Song Mao Airfield
Summary
Elevation AMSL85 ft / 26 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3,500 1,067 PSP

History

Song Mao was located north of Route 1 approximately 56 km northeast of Phan Thiết and 67 km southwest of Phan Rang.[1] Special Forces Detachment A-113 was based here from October 1963.[2]

The 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry was based here in early December 1967 for Operation Klamath Falls[3] and returned here again in May 1968.[3]: 187  On 8 December 1968 a patrol of the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry was ambushed near Song Mao. SGT Ray McKibben would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

The 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry was based here from June 1969 until May 1970.[2]: 239  The 3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry was based here from July–August 1969[4] On 1 April 1970 three People's Army of Vietnam Battalions attacked the base which was occupied by the 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry and the 44th ARVN Regiment, the attack was repulsed resulting in two U.S., two ARVN and 151 PAVN killed.

Current use

The base has been turned over to housing and farmland. The airfield is still clearly visible on satellite images.

References
  1. Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 476. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 239. ISBN 9780811700719.
  3. Berry, Jerald (2010). My Gift to You: The Stories of Soldiers who Died in Vietnam While Serving with the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506 Infantry (Currahees), 101st Airborne Division. Xlibris Corporation. p. 43. ISBN 9781450088558.
  4. Chapla, John (2012). The Men of Alpha Company: Combat with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vietnam, 1969-1970. Lulu.com. p. 23. ISBN 9781105280436.
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