About this Unit
The 101st Camp Eagle, 5th Transportation Company, traces its origins to the Vietnam War era, when it was stationed at Camp Eagle near Hue, South Vietnam. As part of the 101st Airborne Division’s logistical support, the 5th Transportation provided crucial convoy operations, delivering supplies, ammunition, and equipment to forward units. The company played a vital role during major campaigns such as the Tet Offensive and the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord, ensuring sustained combat effectiveness for frontline troops. After the war, elements of the 5th Transportation continued to serve in various logistical capacities, upholding a proud tradition of mobility and support within the U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
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Camp Eagle Origins: Camp Eagle was a major U.S. Army base located near Huế, Vietnam, established in 1968. It served as a headquarters and staging area for several units, including the 101st Airborne Division.
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Home of the 101st "Screaming Eagles": The 101st Airborne Division, famous for its role in World War II and Vietnam, was based at Camp Eagle for much of the Vietnam War, earning the camp its nickname.
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Role of the 5th Transportation Battalion: The 5th Transportation Battalion (5th Trans) provided vital logistical support, including truck convoys and supply operations, ensuring the 101st and other units received food, fuel, and ammunition.
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Operation Apache Snow: Camp Eagle was the launch point for Operation Apache Snow in 1969, which included the infamous Battle of Hamburger Hill, one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.
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Camp Facilities: Camp Eagle housed over 10,000 troops at its peak, with amenities like a movie theater, chapel, post exchange, and even a swimming pool—rare luxuries for soldiers in Vietnam.
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Helicopter Hub: The base was a critical helicopter operations center, with multiple landing zones and maintenance facilities for the 101st’s air mobility missions.
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5th Trans Convoy Security: The 5th Transportation Battalion often faced ambushes and landmines while running convoys along Highway 1 and Route 547, developing innovative armored truck tactics to protect their supplies.
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Civic Action: Troops from Camp Eagle participated in "MedCap" missions, providing medical aid and supplies to local Vietnamese villages, building goodwill and assisting in pacification efforts.
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Vietnamization and Drawdown: Camp Eagle saw American forces gradually hand over operations to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) as part of the U.S. drawdown in the early 1970s.
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Legacy and Remembrance: Today, veterans groups and historians remember Camp Eagle and units like the 5th Trans for their service, with annual reunions and memorials dedicated to those who served and sacrificed there.
