About this Unit
NSAD Dong Ha (Naval Support Activity Detachment Dong Ha) was a vital U.S. Navy logistics and supply unit established during the Vietnam War. Located near the Demilitarized Zone in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, it supported Marine and Army units operating along the northern border. From 1967 to 1972, NSAD Dong Ha managed the receipt, storage, and distribution of ammunition, fuel, and other critical supplies under frequent enemy fire. The detachment played a crucial role during major engagements such as the Tet Offensive and the 1972 Easter Offensive before its closure following the U.S. withdrawal.
Historical Facts
• Location and Full Name: NSAD Dong Ha stands for Naval Support Activity Detachment Dong Ha, located near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.
• Critical Logistics Hub: NSAD Dong Ha was a vital logistics and supply base for U.S. Marines and Army units operating along the northern I Corps tactical zone during the Vietnam War.
• Established in 1966: The base was established in 1966 to facilitate river and road transportation of supplies to front-line units fighting near the DMZ.
• Riverine Operations: The base supported extensive riverine operations, with the Cua Viet River and nearby waterways serving as key supply routes for ammunition, fuel, and rations.
• Frequent Enemy Attacks: NSAD Dong Ha was repeatedly targeted by North Vietnamese artillery and rocket attacks, due to its proximity (about 10 km) to the DMZ.
• Home to "The Ghost Battalion": Elements of the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, nicknamed “The Ghost Battalion,” operated from Dong Ha, using armored vehicles to escort supply convoys.
• Red Beach and Cua Viet: Dong Ha was linked to the Cua Viet port by a vital supply road known as “Red Beach Road,” often under threat from ambushes and mines.
• Role in Major Operations: The base played a crucial role in supporting major operations, including Operation Hastings (1966), Operation Prairie (1966-67), and the defense during the Tet Offensive (1968).
• Destruction and Abandonment: During the 1972 Easter Offensive, Dong Ha came under massive attack, and much of the base was destroyed or abandoned as South Vietnamese and U.S. forces withdrew.
• Legacy: Today, little remains of NSAD Dong Ha, but it is remembered by veterans for its critical role in sustaining allied forces in one of the most contested regions of the Vietnam War.
