Charlie 2 Explained

Charlie 2
Ensign:  
Location:Đông Hà, Quảng Trị province
Country:Vietnam
Type:Marines/Army base
Pushpin Map:Vietnam
Pushpin Map Caption:Shown within Vietnam
Pushpin Label:Charlie 2
Operator:Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)
United States Marine Corps
United States Army (U.S. Army)
Garrison:3rd Marine Division
1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
Used:1966-
Condition:Abandoned
Battles:
Vietnam War
Battle of Con Thien
Easter Offensive

Charlie 2 (also known as C-2, Combat Base C-2, C-2 Strongpoint and Firebase Charlie 2) is a former U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase north of Đông Hà in central Vietnam.

History

1966-7

The base was established 12.5 km northwest of Đông Hà and 5 km southeast of Con Thien to protect the land route to Con Thien and particularly the C-2 bridge immediately north of the base.[1] [2]

By December 1967 all bunkers at C-2 had been completed and all minefields laid and perimeter barbed wire emplaced.[3]

The Marines constructed Route 561 linking Con Thien to Route 9.[4]

1968–9

During 1968 further improvements were made to the bunker system at C-2, totalling 81 reinforced bunkers.[4]

In August 1969, responsibility for C-2 passed from the Marines to the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized).[5]

1970-2

On 21 May 1971 30 US infantrymen, many from Company A, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, were killed when a People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 122mm rocket hit their bunker at Charlie 2.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kelley, Michael. Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. 2002. 978-1555716257. 5–78.
  2. Book: Shulimson, Jack. U.S. Marines in Vietnam: An Expanding War 1966. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. 1982. 978-1494285159. 44.
  3. Book: Telfer, Gary. U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. 1984. 978-1494285449. 94.
  4. Book: Shulimson, Jack. U.S. Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. 1997. 0160491258. 44.
  5. Book: Smith, Charles. U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. 1988. 978-1494287627. 144.
  6. Deadly climax of ground war on Firebase Charlie 2. Veterans of Foreign Wars. Richard Kolb. May 2011.