Con Thien

Con Thien was an American military fire support base located in the Quảng Trị Province of South Vietnam, slightly south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), during the Vietnam War. Its name translates roughly to "Hill of Angels."

Con Thien was established by the United States Marine Corps in 1967 as part of a string of fortified outposts near the DMZ intended to interdict North Vietnamese Army (NVA) infiltration routes. The base was strategically important due to its elevated position overlooking the surrounding terrain. However, its proximity to the DMZ made it a frequent target of intense artillery and mortar fire from NVA forces.

Life at Con Thien was characterized by near-constant bombardment and difficult living conditions. The base's occupants, primarily Marines, endured relentless shelling, monsoon rains, and the ever-present threat of ground attacks. Re-supply and troop rotation were often hazardous due to enemy fire.

The Battle of Con Thien, a series of engagements throughout 1967 and 1968, is particularly notable. NVA forces repeatedly attacked the base in an attempt to overrun it. The Marines, supported by artillery and air power, successfully defended Con Thien against these attacks, but at a significant cost in casualties.

After the major battles of 1967-1968, the intensity of fighting around Con Thien decreased, but the base remained a significant military installation until its eventual abandonment. The site today is a quiet area with little visible indication of its history, though it remains a place of remembrance for veterans of the Vietnam War. The battles fought at Con Thien are remembered as some of the most intense and grueling of the Vietnam War.