Firebase Gio Linh
| Firebase Gio Linh | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 16°56′35″N 107°04′34″E / 16.943°N 107.076°E |
| Type | Marines/Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1966 |
| In use | 1966–1972 |
| Battles/wars |
 Vietnam War Battle of Con Thien Easter Offensive |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants |
3rd Marine Division ARVN 1st Division ARVN 3rd Division |
Firebase Gio Linh (also known as FSB A-2, Alpha 2, Camp Hill, The Alamo or simply Gio Linh) is a former U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase north of Đông Hà in central Vietnam.
The base was established 13 km north of Đông Hà on Highway 1 immediately south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
On 19 May 1966 the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) attacked the ARVN base at Gio Linh killing 43 and wounding 54.
From 15–18 September 1966 the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines launched Operation Deckhouse IV and discovered that the PAVN had built a network of tunnels and bunkers in the Con Thien-Gio Linh area.
Gio Linh was intended to form part of the McNamara Line and formed one corner of what became known as Leatherneck Square, with the other corners being Con Thien, Cam Lộ Combat Base and Đông Hà Combat Base.
In February 1967 the 12th Marines had 4 175mm guns and 6 105mm howitzers based at Gio Linh. On 27 February the PAVN attacked Gio Linh with mortars, rocket and artillery fire. On 20 March the base was subjected to another rocket and artillery attack and on 21 March a supply convoy was ambushed just 300m from the base. From 20 March to 1 April Operation Beacon Hill saw BLT 1st Battalion, 4th Marines patrolling around the base to try to prevent further PAVN attacks. From 10–17 April the 11th Engineer Battalion began clearing a 200m wide strip between Gio Linh and Con Thien, a distance of over 10 km the strip was eventually completed on 1 July and widened to 600m.
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