About this Unit
NSADANANG Camp Tien Sha was a vital U.S. Navy logistics and support base located near Da Nang, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. Established in the early 1960s, the Naval Support Activity Da Nang (NSADANANG) at Camp Tien Sha provided essential supply, maintenance, and administrative services to naval and Marine Corps forces operating in the I Corps Tactical Zone. The camp facilitated the rapid offloading and distribution of ammunition, fuel, and provisions, supporting major combat operations in the region. NSADANANG Camp Tien Sha remained operational until the U.S. drawdown in the early 1970s, after which the facility was handed over to South Vietnamese control.
Historical Facts
• Strategic Location: Camp Tien Sha, also known as NSADANANG (Naval Support Activity Da Nang), was situated on the Tien Sha Peninsula at Da Nang, Vietnam, making it a vital logistical hub for U.S. Navy operations during the Vietnam War.
• Establishment: The camp was established in 1965 to support the rapidly expanding American military presence in central Vietnam, particularly the I Corps tactical zone.
• Harbor Operations: NSADANANG managed Da Nang Harbor, which became the busiest military port in the world at the height of the war, handling thousands of tons of matériel daily.
• Seabees’ Role: The U.S. Navy Seabees (Construction Battalions) played a crucial role in building and maintaining the camp’s extensive infrastructure, including piers, warehouses, barracks, and roads.
• Vietnamese Collaboration: NSADANANG employed thousands of Vietnamese civilians in various roles, from stevedores to administrative assistants, fostering cooperation but also creating security challenges.
• Amphibious Operations: The camp was a staging area for amphibious and riverine operations, supporting the deployment of Marines, Army, and Navy river patrol boats (PBRs) in the region.
• Attack and Defense: The base was frequently targeted by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) rocket and sapper attacks, necessitating strong perimeter defenses and regular patrols.
• Rest & Recreation: Despite the dangers, Camp Tien Sha offered recreational facilities for troops, including clubs, a movie theater, and athletic fields, providing crucial morale boosts.
• Evacuation Site: In 1972, as the U.S. began withdrawing forces, NSADANANG played a key role in the evacuation and redeployment of American personnel and equipment.
• Legacy: After the war, the area was repurposed by the Vietnamese Navy, and remnants of the camp’s infrastructure can still be seen today, serving as a testament to its historical significance.
