Firebase Cunningham


Firebase Cunningham is a former U.S. Marine Corps firebase southwest of Đông Hà, Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam.

History

The base was established overlooking the Đa Krông Valley 38 km southeast of Vandegrift Combat Base 1 km north of Route 922. The base was named after Alfred A. Cunningham, the first Marine Corps aviator.
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. On 2 February the base was hit by 30-40 rounds of People's Army of Vietnam 122mm artillery fire resulting in 5 Marines killed. On the early morning of 17 February PAVN sappers attacked the base resulting in 4 Marines and 37 PAVN killed. From 10 March the Marine units began withdrawing back to Vandegrift and by 18 March Cunningham was closed.

Current use

The base has reverted to jungle.