Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Vietnam Fire Support Base

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. Vietnam Fire Support Base Marker

Inscription. Artillery has always played a role in fighting our nation’s conflicts. American artillery could accurately engage targets many miles away. Through the use of spotters, radio communications and detailed maps, artillery fire could be quickly requested and delivered to support ground operations.

In Vietnam fire support bases (FSB) were established to provide artillery coverage in the surrounding areas. There were either semi-permanent bases designed to provide consistent support, or temporary one with the guns being air-lifted by helicopter to assist on-going operations.

During the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, November 14-16, 1965, Fire support Base Falcon, located five miles away 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 that battle these guns fired for five hours straight and delivered 4,000 rounds on target, creating a veritable wall of steel and fire around the American defensive perimeter and interdicting the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces attempting to push their attacks against the American positions. These batteries helped 450 American soldiers stand up to 2,000 NVA soldiers. This helps explain why the Artillery has be called the “King of Battle”.

Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is November 14, 1965.

Location. 40° 12.317′ N, 77° 9.435′ W. Marker is

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near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Located at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (Open to Public). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Time On Target (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Vincent J. Tedesco, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); The Ia Drang Battlefield (a few steps from this marker); One-Oh-Five (a few steps from this marker); Selfless Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Duty (within shouting distance of this marker); 360 Degrees of Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of the Ia Drang Valley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Also see . . . Fire support base. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 15, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Vietnam Fire Support Base display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

2. Vietnam Fire Support Base display

Insert - M101A1 105mm Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

3. Insert - M101A1 105mm Howitzer

Insert - Serving a "One-Oh-Five" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

4. Insert - Serving a "One-Oh-Five"

Insert - serving a M102 105mm Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

5. Insert - serving a M102 105mm Howitzer

Insert - restocking an ammo bunker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

6. Insert - restocking an ammo bunker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.