Chu Lai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chu Lai () was a United States Navy base in Dung Quat Bay, Vietnam, which was used from 1964 - 1971 during the Vietnam War. The base was roughly 56 miles southeast of Danang. It consisted of a base with air field to help as support facilities to the major base at Danang. The former base is currently maintained by the Vietnamese government, who plan to turn it into an industrial and transportation hub.
The base itself was named after General Victor Krulak, the United States Marine officer who selected the area for a base. Chu Lai was reportedly the Mandarin Chinese abbreviation of his surname [1]. Krulak named the base after being told that the area had no previous associated name on the maps.
The base was also involved in Operation Starlite on August 18, 1965 where the United States Marine Corps made a pre-emptive strike on gathering Viet Cong forces who were preparing to attack the base [2].
[edit] References
- Chu Lai map
- Veteran's account and pictures
- Naval Support Activity in Chu Lai
- Battle of Chu Lai reference
- Chu Lai coordinates
