Vénh Long Airfield (also known as Vénh Long Army Airfield, Gauvin-Upton Airfield or Shannon-Wright Compound) is a former United States Army base west of Vénh Long in Vénh Long Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
The base was originally established in 1963 approximately 3 km west of Vénh Long and 48 km southwest of Mỹ Tho. The base was named after Captain Roger Gauvin and SP5 Carleton Upton of the 114th Aviation Company who were killed in action on 15 March 1964.
The base was attacked by Vietcong forces as part of the Tet Offensive on 31 January 1968 resulting in seven U.S. killed and three Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters destroyed. In 1970 the Airfield was attacked on May 5th receiving 45 rounds of incoming mortar fire causing heavy damage to helicopters and buildings. Spec 4 Dennis Michael Sheppard was wounded when his bunker took a direct hit. The mortar attack was followed up with a ground assault eventually the enemy withdrew.
The 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division comprising:
was based here from AprilâÂÂMay 1968.
Other units stationed at Vénh Long at various times included:
The base was renovated into many civil facilities and the runway has become Võ VÃÂn Kiá»Ât street