Vietnam Fire Support Base

In Vietnam, fire support bases were established to provide artillery coverage in surrounding areas, either as semi-permanent bases for consistent support or as temporary positions with guns air-lifted by helicopter to assist ongoing operations. American artillery could accurately engage targets many miles away, and through spotters, radio communications, and detailed maps, fire could be quickly requested and delivered to support ground operations. During the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, November 14-16, 1965, Fire Support Base Falcon, located five miles from the battle site, contained 105mm howitzers of A and B batteries, 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery, supporting elements of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On the first day of the battle, these guns fired for five hours straight and delivered 4,000 rounds on target, creating a wall of steel and fire around the American defensive perimeter and interdicting North Vietnamese Army forces attempting to press their attacks against American positions. These batteries helped 450 American soldiers stand up to 2,000 North Vietnamese Army soldiers, helping explain why artillery has been called the "King of Battle."

Pennsylvania · United States