Firebase Cunningham

Firebase Cunningham (also known as FSB 2, FSB Cutlass or Hill 672) is a former U.S. Marine Corps firebase southwest of Đông Hà, Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam.

Firebase Cunningham
UH-1Es at Firebase Cunningham during Operation Dewey Canyon
Coordinates16.4°N 107.04°E / 16.4; 107.04 (Firebase Cunningham)
TypeMarines
Site history
Built1969
In use1969
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
Occupants2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines

History

The base was established overlooking the Đa Krông Valley 38 km southeast of Vandegrift Combat Base 1 km north of Route 922.[1] The base was named after Alfred A. Cunningham, the first Marine Corps aviator.[2]

The base was established on 25 January 1969 by the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of Operation Dewey Canyon. Over the next 5 days the Regiment command post and five artillery batteries from 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines moved to Cunningham.[2]:31 On 2 February the base was hit by 30-40 rounds of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 122mm artillery fire resulting in 5 Marines killed.[2]:34 On the early morning of 17 February PAVN sappers attacked the base resulting in 4 Marines and 37 PAVN killed.[2]:39 From 10 March the Marine units began withdrawing back to Vandegrift and by 18 March Cunningham was closed.[2]:49–50

Current use

The base has reverted to jungle.

References
  1. Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. pp. 5–126. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. Smith, Charles (1988). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 31. ISBN 978-1494287627.
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