Chu Lai - Vietnam War

Vietnam War

Chu Lai was a United States Marine Corps base from 1965 - 1971 during the Vietnam War. Roughly 56 miles (90 km) southeast of Đà Nẵng, the base had an air field to supplement the major base at Đà Nẵng. It was not named for any local geographic feature, but rather was the Chinese name of Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Đà Nẵng's Air Base was the first major airfield used by the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Shortly after conventional ground forces began arriving in country in 1965, it became necessary to open a second airfield because of the heavy traffic into and out of Đà Nẵng. Charles R. Gibson was selected to be the head engineer of the base. He and his crew broke ground in December and the base was officially operational as of 1 June 1965, when three A4-C Skyhawks from VMA-225 landed. It was involved in Operation Starlite on 18 August 1965, when the Marines made a pre-emptive strike on gathering Viet Cong (VC) forces who were preparing to attack the base. By mid-October 1965, the base was home to more than 80 A-4 Skyhawks from Marine Aircraft Group 12. Marine Aircraft Group 13 was based at Chu Lai from September 1966 until September 1970, with three F-4 Phantom squadrons. The Marines departed Chu Lai on 13 October 1970, turning control over to the United States Army.

Chu Lai was also home to the Americal Division from approximately 1967 until 1971. Aside from the runway and several concrete revetments for fighter aircraft nothing remains of the U.S. Military presence. The nearby heliport, once home to several U.S. Army aviation units, including F/8th Cavalry (BlueGhost) has been reclaimed by sand dunes. Future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach spent a year in Chu Lai as a supply officer for the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1967.