Bu Dop Camp was located some four kilometers south of the Cambodian border in South Vietnam and far from any friendly forces. Deep in enemy-held territory, A-341 was under constant attack and the only access to the camp was from the air. It was manned by a Green Beret A-Team from 5th Special Forces Group and a force of CIDG troops (indigenous Nungs and Montagnards).
Bu Dop was also home to a top-secret team of Army Security Agency Green Berets from the 403rd Special Operations Detachment (SOD) who monitored and collected communist communications for its intelligence value. The ASA men were fully-qualified Special Forces soldiers and required to fulfill their Green Beret duties in addition to their intelligence duties.
Photograph: Christmas at Bu Dop – 1969 – On the left is Lt. Dietz (aka Santa Claus), 5th SFG, and on the right is Gary Lamberty of the 403rd SOD. (© thespecialforce.com now defunct)
