Located at BS 685 916. Hill 43 was formerly the location of the Headquarters for the legendary 48th Viet Cong Local Force Battalion.  In 1965 the area near Hill 43 was the location of Operation Starlite, the first regimental size battle for the US Marines since the Korean War.  From August 20, 1970 to September 22, Hill 43 served as a Night Defensive Position (NDP) for the land clearing operations by the 59th Engineering Company.  Hill 43 was adjacent to the "Athletic Field", an area that was identified in the June 1970 issue of Playboy magazine as one of the toughest places to stay alive on Earth. I have recently found out that a school mate of mine by the name of Richard Karger was killed there in 1966.

Bravo Company was airlifted by Chinook helicopter from Fire Support Base (FSB) Dottie to Hill 43 to provide support for the Land Clearing Platoon where Hill 43 became a forward support facility for the land clearing efforts. Many "Eagle Flights" and ground patrols originated from this location during our stay there.