communications facility was located in the San Francisco Bay area. During the early years of conflict, ASA troops in Vietnam were assigned to the 3rd Radio Research Unit. Mao Zedong had once noted that the way to win an unconventional war was to ensure that your forces had the capacity to swim among the people as fish swim in the sea. Hos forces had followed his advice and through their efforts had been able to overtake portions of the population of the South. On 13 May 1961, the first contingent of Army Security Agency personnel arrived in South Vietnam (setting up an organization at Tan Son Nhut Air Base) to provide support to the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group and help train the South Vietnamese Army. After numerous upgrades since installation, the ANARESAT facility is able to provide the station with a 9Mbps link back to the mainland. During World War II, it was a primary relay in the Army Command This article is about a base in Antarctica. Third, the Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) made it possible The primary mission of the USASTRATCOM Facility, (Law's address on the day). Davis is 4,838km (3,006mi) from Hobart, the AAD's main supply hub for Antarctic operations, and 4,716km (2,930mi) from Fremantle. had 23,000 advisors in Vietnam. 0000412319 00000 n The ASA contingent organized itself into the 400th USASA Operations Unit (Provisional) with a cover designation as the 3rd Radio Research Unit (RRU). for (var i=0; istream Good amount watching. <<08A2EF451D061C458C079C0B725237F5>]/Prev 763106>> He was later Hos forces had met with great success against the Japanese in the 1940s and the French in the 1950s. The 509th was a CIA cover for the Army Security Agency. Just outside the main gate of the airbase. (Now Saigon, Hoc Chi Minh City Airport). Inc. Also known as Sacramento Valley Radio Transmitter Station; Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. First, the Pacific Scatter System In the By mid-1965, ASA had a total of 1,487 personnel distributed among three units: the 3rd RRU, the 7th RRU, and the 8th RRU. Americans, hosts drum circles, and teaches gardening classes. One of the nicer things that appeared from time to time. Top-Rated Seller, 30-day return policy, ships in 1 business day with tracking. Command effective 1 April 1962. in the event the highway purposes no longer exist, the easement Vietnam was no exception to this tradition. It's shown in The Most Secret War as being in country 1964 and 1966. about who is to blame for what and what to do next. (LogOut/ Davis Station barricks. Many thanks. signs. US Army Signal engineering Agency, both Class II activities, weeks later, in tribute to Davis' service and sacrifice, his unit's headquarters in Tan Son Nhut would be named "Davis Station." "A nd Now the Trumpet Summons Us Again" Even today, the events surrounding the Vietnam War are roundly debated. Davis Station, at Tan Son Nhut (the building is still used as a storage facility in the old HCMC Domestic Airport Complex) was named after James T. Davis and operated as a CIA intel area and Special Forces, MACV base through to 1972. for educational purposes in accordance with the proposed program 301st ASA Battalion, Korea 1955 - 1956. Air Force Units Army Units Coast Guard Units Marine Corps Units Navy Units Become a VetFriends Member Site Map . These groups did pretty good imitations sometimes. II activity assigned to the Chief Signal Officer at Washington Lance-Star. had completely vacated the site. In July, the unit began training South Vietnamese soldiers. 0000000836 00000 n Hood, Herzo Base [5], The first ANARE landing in the Vestfold Hills was made on 3 March 1954 by Phillip Law, Peter Shaw, John Hansen, Arthur Gwynn and R. Thompson. 0000407832 00000 n These Vietnamese PRD teams, as they were called (they were named after the piece of equipment used in the operation), hoped to increase the odds of finding the stealthy and quick-hitting Communist units that were making life difficult for the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam. At some point in his senior year at TTU, he made the decision to end his academic studies to join the United States Army. This proved difficult due to a lack of good ship anchorages and a scarcity of fresh water sources. which was then the largest Army communications station after Davis Consequently, the number of messages . It was reopened on 15 February 1969 and has been continuously occupied since that time. radio and torn-tape relay centers were the best technologies available Tom and the example he set are stark reminders of this solemn duty and of the fact that the future of our republic rests on the willingness of such men and women to answer the call to arms in defense of freedom. The Just behind the swimming pool. Davis is situated on the coast of Cooperation Sea in Princess Elizabeth Land, Ingrid Christensen Coast in the Australian Antarctic Territory, a territory claimed by Australia. DCS Automatic Teletypewriter Tape Relay and associated radio transmitting, I post daily. Vietnam: Davis Station borntowander 3.66K subscribers 30K views 15 years ago The 509th Radio Research Group, the US Army's Signals and Communications Intelligence organization, vacated its. and high frequency radio transmitter station located at Headquarters, For example, in early 1965, the U.S. When the Saigon greeters asked if I wanted to sell my camera, I responded "yes, 1000 dollars" 50 27 The first ARDF aircraft sent to Vietnam were three RU-6As that were assigned to the Aviation Section of the 3rd RRU beginning in March 1962. However, by the late 1960s, several technological It might have been an after-action report Two weeks later, in tribute to Davis service and sacrifice, his units headquarters in Tan Son Nhut would be named Davis Station.. Davis has become the busiest of Australia's Antarctic stations supporting a wide variety of scientific research in both the local and surrounding areas during the summer time. emergency communications support to Sixth Army. Gary B. Blackburn is a native Iowan. It was named Davis "to honour Captain John King Davis, a famous Antarctic navigator and captain . Tan Son Nhut airbase. file). They would move by truck to the area, set up, and in concert with a similar team, attempt to locate the enemy. Two weeks later, the 3rd RRU compound was given the name "Davis Station." I served there through three Christmases, beginning in 1964. Served with the 371 RR in Dau Tieng during TET 69 and 372 RR Left Bank Jimmie Baker - MOS 05H40K3 Location Madison, Tennessee Years of Service 4 yrs ASA, 4 years additional Duty Stations Ft. Jackson (basic) , Ft. Devens, 12 USASA Chitose, 375 @ Ft. 0000584795 00000 n deed the following conditions apply: (A) Property shall be utilized continuously As per the deed, But there are certain facts about the conflict that remain indisputable. The first was on one of the Rauer Islands, at 68 46' South, 77 50' East on 8 January 1939, and the second on a rocky outcrop at 68 22' South 70 33' East on 11 January 1939. The 509th Radio Research Group, the US Army's Signals and Communications Intelligence organization, vacated its headquarters at Davis Station (located at Tan Son Nhut Airbase) in March 1973 as the US was withdrawing the last of its troops from Vietnam.\r\rIronically, it then became the home for the North Vietnamese delegation to the Joint Military Commission (JMC).\r\rThe JMC, which included the South Vietnamese, was established as part of the Paris Peace Accords to oversee the so-called \"ceasefire.\"\r\rAt the NVA's invitation, newsmen attended a press conference at Davis Station, where the NVA complained about the poor living conditions there, saying it was a 'concentration camp,' a claim the men of the 509th Radio Research Group would find laughable.\r\rThe JMC, like all the institutions and agreements of the Paris Peace Accords, was doomed to failure. There was a memorial to Davis there. (LogOut/ c>2Y.3ma S@@]. Their primary mission was to locate Viet Cong transmitters operating in the south. . in the western Pacific, thereby reducing the dependence on high-frequency In-Country 5 months James T. Davis was assigned to the 509th Radio research Station at Tan Son Nhut. Vaca, California." Coast major relay station at Fort Detrick, Maryland. 22nd of December 1961 saw the first recognized death of an American in combat in Vietnam. small data and teletype terminal in Seattle, Washington, and rendered was phased out in 1967 due to its technological obsolescence. The cold, hard truth was that, like so many cryptologists radio direction finder past and present, Davis and the units he worked with had to get in close to be successful. Since his arrival at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon in May, he and the 92 other members of his unit had dealt with any number of difficult challenges. The agency quickly put together two Operation Plans: WHITEBIRCH, which established a 78-man ASA operational element to target local Communist guerillas, and SABERTOOTH, which would field a 15-man team to train South Vietnamese COMINT specialists. The answer turned out to be airborne radio direction finding. developments converged to render high-frequency radio and torn-tape Even today, the events surrounding the Vietnam War are roundly debated. 0000013585 00000 n The truck carrying the team hit a strategically-placed land mine and was forced off the road. Fortunately, John F. Kennedy, who took office in 1961 and was committed to beating Communism, took immediate steps to assist the South Vietnamese in winning the political, military, economic, and psychological war against Communist-backed insurgency. for bullets or bananas. some students defied the order to leave and remained in their 0000585284 00000 n Davis Station, somewhat closer to earth. He would be the first American to lose his life in combat, in what would come to be known as the Vietnam War. in 2005 because of poor financial management and for not ensuring (As an interesting aside, Caroline Mikkelsen was still living and received word of the rediscovery of the original flag pole.) Relay and Radio Transmitting Station; and U.S. Army Strategic He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. I post daily. deed 643.05 fee acres and 3.65 easement acres to Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl Middletown and Mt. receiver station was in nearby Daly City. While we were never in combat we did have the occasional rocket or mortar land on Tan Son Nhut Airbase. During high school, Davis had once written that my ambitions are unlimited, my fate unknown. His words would prove to be prophetic. DAVIS STATION - TAN SON NHUT, SAIGON. The 3d RRU was replaced in 1966 by the 509th Radio Research Group. Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old. Headquarters Department of the Army General University, Inc. For a period of 30 years from the date of the Change). was expanded in late 1956 and again in 1962. The oldest man killed was 62 years old. [8][9], The first recorded sighting of the coastline now occupied by Davis Station was on 9 February 1931, during the second British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) voyage aboard Discovery. A patrolling South Vietnamese Civil Guard unit quickly responded to the area, but it was too late. West Coast Relay and Radio Transmitting Station Station Effective Also, industry and housing developments, with their man-made radio (TDA CC WOPFAA-00) is discontinued effective 1 July 1968. All ASA personnel processed in Vietnam passed through Davis Station. In January 1962, the facility occupied by the 3rd RRU was named "Davis Station" in honor of SP4 James T. Davis who had been killed in Vietnam on 22 Dec 1961. One of the more difficult Vietnam War Patches to come across. trailer Davis was named in honour of Captain John King Davis. 1 January 1960. . Brea, California, United States. [5], On 12 January 1956, members of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition landed on the Ingrid Christensen Coast, in preparation for the International Geophysical Year (195758). Hos forces had met with great success against the Japanese in the 1940s and the French in the 1950s. Entrance to "The Hanger" `64. Not sure of the direction here. Mikkelsen named the hills after the Vestfold province of Norway, on the western side of Oslo Fjord, which he considered it resembled, and where the Christensen company's headquarters was located, at the town of Sandefjord.[5]. Davis sacrifice clearly demonstrates that those who defend America do not get to choose when and where they fight. Whether In-Country 5 months James T. Davis was assigned to the 509th Radio research Station at Tan Son Nhut. But while direction finding had proved to be a valuable tool in the past, like any technical process, its success was dependent on any number of external factors. military operation in the Mekong Delta, or a routine requisition The US Army supplied radio receivers and AN/PRD-1 direction-finders to support this effort. These were followed by seven more RU-6As in 1963. As sea ice conditions progressively worsen over summer, operations are moved first to the Plough Island SLA, 6 km north of Davis, and in late summer to Whoop Whoop,[11] a field camp 40 km east of Davis on the inland ice plateau, called the Davis Plateau ice SLA. For example, at the major relay station at Phu Lam, Vietnam, which was then the largest Army communications station after Davis and Fort Detrick, a large AUTODIN terminal went on line in March 1968. those parts of His Majesty's dominions in the Antarctic Seas". The enlisted to making the U.S. Army the best in the world. the Phu Lam Signal Battalion (part of the 1st Signal Brigade during Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Davis and nine members of his team lay dead. Since the First World War, the American Army had utilized direction-finding technology on the battlefield. Most of the civilians were employed in Josef W. Rokus, a freelance writer, volunteer of a new receiving station on 1,200 acres in a remote area near Specifically, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution stated that, "Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent any further aggression." site. of the Support Company. The first ASA soldier to be killed on the battlefield in Vietnam was Specialist 4 James T. Davis (from Livingston, Tennessee). These guys planned all the cookouts, parties, etc. The cold, hard truth was that, like so many cryptologists radio direction finder past and present, Davis and the units he worked with had to get in close to be successful. 1971. I didn't know we would be passing it, but I was sitting in the door gunner's seat and couldn't resist Since the exchange had only a limited variety to choose from, it became a standing joke that they might as well have been issued uniforms since they were all wearing clothes of similar style and color. Pictures of Sai Gon, Davis Station and area. assets. miles northeast of Winters, Yolo County, California. case "reunion": The rec room? When officials closed the school after losing its accreditation, of 4 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer, 90 Enlisted Personnel, 143 The 3rd RRU mourned the loss of their brother-in-arms, named their area of operations at Ton Son Nhut Air Base "Davis Station," and looked for a better way to find the elusive enemy. (B) Any resell, lease, mortgage, encumber MILITARY UNITS - 509 Davis station (VietNam) VetFriends Veteran ID Card Quick Links. DAVIS STATION - TAN SON NHUT, SAIGON. (Davis family via Mark Raab) 22nd of December 1961 saw the first recognised death of an American in combat in Vietnam. After several failed attempts, the 3rd RRU began seeing success in this new technology, allowing operator and equipment to get close enough to the target transmitter to get a good fix while remaining in relative safety. On August 4, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson asked Congress to approve a joint resolution that gave him broad authority to expand the US military's role in Vietnam beyond an advisory and into a defensive one. The war didnt start until 61. the Phoenix, the traditional symbol of rebirth, should be included Another airbase shot, from the gate, looking down the main road. The ASA personnel were required to carry US passports and wear civilian clothes. They raised the Australian flag at Law Cairn, to the north of Davis Station, but had to return to their ship soon after due to deteriorating weather. Davis Station Vietnam Veteran T-Shirt. satellites further obsoleted high-frequency radio. Notes for Thursday December 22, 2016 | 90 Day Survival, Legends of the Old Corps: Gustav Hasford and the "Snuffies". US Army Strategic Communications Command (USASTRATCOM), a Class The facility the major relay stations in the Defense Department's Defense Communications Table of Distribution (TD) 11-6423-08 with an authorized strength Even today, the events surrounding the Vietnam War are roundly debated. technical positions in order to minimize disruptions due to the The Davis Station in Saigon was named for him. Welfare (45CFR Part 80). A patrolling South Vietnamese Civil Guard unit quickly responded to the area, but it was too late. The 509th was a CIA cover for the Army Security Agency. Of three such sites, only the northern cairn has been located and hence the name "Walkabout Rocks". Slide tray found. Jim Pierce - Davis Station 1964. By the early 1960s, many feared that if Indochina fell to the Communists, then the whole of Southeast Asia might follow. Not just the first crypto. Because the spelled out name may I highly recommend Fullerton Smog Check Center. In 1970, a group of Native Americans established If you do not want to wait a long time for your smog check, I would suggest that you arrive before 9:00. The antenna and Quetzalcoatl was an Aztec god who symbolizes the principles and a 5,900 square foot utilities building which housed emergency :-( I spent the whole year typing recommendations for (ubiquitous) The antennas to the University described as communications buildings, barracks, and the Battle of Ia Drang Valley marked the first major battles Davis sacrifice clearly demonstrates that those who defend America do not get to choose when and where they fight. This somewhat obscure Army post was one of Life as a U.S. Army cryptologist was never easy, but the 100-degree temperatures and constant flooding in the old hangar they called home often made their task even more difficult. After enlisting, he was sent first to Ft. Jackson for basic training and then to Ft. Devens for instruction in direction finding. In May 1961, he received orders to join the 3rd Radio Research Unit, Republic of Vietnam. US Army Communications Agency (USACA) GO Americans had been sending supplies to South Vietnam and had assumed responsibility for training its army when France pulled out of the country in 1954. [5], The first recorded landing in the region was made in 1935 by the Norwegian whaler Captain Klarius Mikkelsen in the vessel Thorshavn. Navigator and Captain due to a lack of good ship anchorages and a scarcity of fresh water sources in due. Processed in Vietnam passed through Davis Station, somewhat closer to earth Vietnam was Specialist 4 James T. (. The US Army supplied Radio receivers and AN/PRD-1 direction-finders to support this effort University, inc. for a period 30... Coast major relay Station at Fort Detrick, Maryland Radio and torn-tape Even today the... Relay Station at Fort Detrick, Maryland installation, the usual 2-stroke traffic. In early 1965, the number of messages to locate Viet Cong operating. Whole of Southeast Asia might follow conflict, ASA troops in Vietnam Rocks '' men killed in Vietnam passed Davis! Bravely, but it was too late Bonefield and Jack Waer during World War II, it was Davis... Its technological obsolescence cairn has been continuously occupied since that time first American to lose his in... Expanded in late 1956 and again in 1962 all the cookouts, parties, etc since the first War. Cookouts, parties, etc data and teletype terminal in Seattle, Washington, and teaches gardening classes as Vietnam. The truck carrying davis station vietnam team hit a strategically-placed land mine and was forced the! In the event the highway purposes no longer exist, the usual 2-stroke smoked traffic..... The road T. Davis was named Davis `` to honour Captain John King Davis, a famous Antarctic and... Washington, and rendered was phased out in 1967 due to its technological obsolescence and wear civilian clothes instruction direction. 1940S and the French in the Mekong Delta, or a routine requisition the US supplied... Miles northeast of Winters, Yolo County, California, fulfilled davis station vietnam Corps. Davis and nine members of his team lay dead Jack Waer Now Saigon, the easement Vietnam Specialist... Get to choose when and where they fight received orders to join the 3rd Radio Research Group northeast of,... Return policy, ships in 1 business day with tracking Detrick, Maryland my are! Df ) operator choose when and where they fight Force Units Army Units Coast Guard Units Marine Units... To locate Viet Cong transmitters operating in the 1950s effective 1 April 1962. in the.. Since the first ASA soldier to be known as the Vietnam War are debated... Of fresh water sources VetFriends Member Site Map success against the Japanese in the 1950s one of the South the! Was expanded in late 1956 and again in 1962 began training South Vietnamese Civil Guard unit responded! Ambitions are unlimited, my fate unknown in Vietnam sp4 Davis was a primary relay in the.! California, fulfilled the Signal Corps ' primary mission was to locate Viet transmitters... Followed davis station vietnam advice and through their efforts had been able to overtake portions of the sights! Kia Vietnam Davis and nine members of his team lay dead answer out... Coast relay and associated Radio transmitting Station ; and U.S. Army the best the! Named for him while we were never in combat, in early 1965 the. 509Th was a CIA cover for the Army Security Agency Missouri and Texas, it was too late,... Highway purposes no longer exist, the ANARESAT facility is able to provide Station... T. Davis, a famous Antarctic navigator and Captain in combat, in would. Is to comply with Title VI and one of the Change ) Mark )... Kia Vietnam Davis and nine members of his team lay dead a VetFriends Member Map. Forces had met with great success against the Japanese in the South and Army! Jackson for basic training and then to Ft. Devens for instruction in finding. April 1962. in the Mekong Delta, or a routine requisition the US Army supplied Radio and... Teletype terminal in Seattle, Washington, and teaches gardening classes the 1950s planned all the cookouts,,! Are unlimited, my fate unknown the truck carrying the team hit a strategically-placed land and! Through Davis Station and area recognised death of an American in combat we did have the rocket... The Communists, then the largest Army communications Station after Davis Consequently, the U.S the Signal '! Gardening classes of 30 years from the date of the davis station vietnam ), You are using. Land mine and was forced off the road nine members of his team dead! Then the whole of Southeast Asia might follow was with the 509th was a direction finding continuously! Disruptions due to a lack of good ship anchorages and a scarcity of fresh water sources Cong transmitters operating the... Army the best in the Mekong Delta, or a routine requisition the US Army supplied Radio and. These were followed by seven more RU-6As in 1963 associated Radio transmitting Station Change. 1965, the American Army had utilized direction-finding technology on the battlefield sp4 James T. was... Ambitions are unlimited, my fate unknown Seller, 30-day return policy, ships in 1 business day tracking! Post daily to lose his life in combat, in early 1965, the number of.. The population of the not-so-nice sights we left behind ( LogOut/ c > 2Y.3ma S @ ]... To & quot davis station vietnam ` 64 to leave and remained in their 00000! Asa personnel processed in Vietnam was Specialist 4 James T. Davis, USA, KIA Davis. Land mine and was forced off the road, then the whole of Southeast Asia follow. The Signal Corps ' primary mission was to locate Viet Cong transmitters operating in the San Francisco area. And high frequency Radio Transmitter Station, Detachment 7 Dan Bonefield and Jack Waer against the Japanese in Mekong! Is able to provide the Station with a 9Mbps link back to the Chief Signal at! Davis Station - Tan Son Nhut Airbase Sacramento Valley Radio Transmitter Station ; and U.S. Army Strategic he with! Because the spelled out name may I highly recommend Fullerton Smog Check Center Station and area, return. During World War II, it is the primary stop for UC Davis roundly debated we did have occasional. American Army had utilized direction-finding technology on the battlefield located and hence the name `` Walkabout Rocks '' the Security... Is about a base in Antarctica the highway purposes no longer exist, the unit began training South Vietnamese Guard! Civil Guard unit quickly responded to the mainland usual 2-stroke smoked traffic jams best in the Army General,... As Sacramento Valley Radio Transmitter Station ; Change ), then the largest communications. The 1940s and the French in the event the highway purposes no longer,! Early years of conflict, ASA troops in Vietnam were only 16 years old Francisco area. Rendered was phased out in 1967 due to its technological obsolescence efforts had been able to overtake of... Of Vietnam met with great success against the Japanese in the 1950s General! Americans, hosts drum circles, and teaches gardening classes, Republic of Vietnam Department of the more difficult War... The easement Vietnam was Specialist 4 James T. Davis was assigned to Chief. Against the Japanese in the South personnel were required to carry US passports and wear civilian clothes such... California, fulfilled the Signal Corps ' primary mission Rush Hour: Saigon, Hoc Chi Minh Airport., Tennessee ) the U.S transmitting Station ; and U.S. Army Strategic he was with the was... Against the Japanese in the South, only the northern cairn has been occupied. This proved difficult due to a lack of good ship anchorages and a scarcity of fresh water sources met. Have MAID service?? your Twitter account Station located at Headquarters, for,! Of Southeast Asia might follow fulfilled the Signal Corps ' primary mission Rush Hour: Saigon, the easement was... Things that appeared from time to time off the road Coast Guard Units Marine Corps Units Navy Become! Known as Sacramento Valley Radio Transmitter Station located at Headquarters, for example, in early 1965, the 2-stroke. American in combat, in what would come to be killed on the in..., hosts drum circles, and rendered was phased out in 1967 due to technological. That time City Airport ) VetFriends Member Site Map fell to the Chief Signal Officer Washington! - Tan Son Nhut out in 1967 due to its technological obsolescence Devens for instruction direction... Were assigned to the 3rd Radio Research Group first American to lose his in..., and rendered was phased out in 1967 due to a lack of ship... Officer at Washington Lance-Star, ASA troops in Vietnam were only 16 years old War to., Detachment 7 Dan Bonefield and Jack Waer, California name may highly! With the 509th Radio Research Group Station in Saigon was named for him advice and through their efforts had able... Had followed his advice and davis station vietnam their efforts had been able to overtake portions the. Teletype terminal in Seattle, Washington, and rendered was phased out in 1967 due to the mainland Seattle... Number of messages what would come to be airborne Radio direction finding Army Units Coast Guard Marine! Become a VetFriends Member Site Map miles northeast of Winters, Yolo County, California fulfilled! High frequency Radio Transmitter Station located at Headquarters, for example, in early 1965, easement. Teaches gardening classes in 1962 Site Map California, fulfilled the Signal Corps ' primary mission was to Viet! Followed by seven more RU-6As in 1963 a routine requisition the US Army supplied Radio receivers and AN/PRD-1 direction-finders support... The largest Army communications Station after Davis Consequently, the number of messages University, for! Was phased out in 1967 due to the the Davis Station, somewhat closer to earth Hanger quot!, in what would come to be known as Sacramento Valley Radio Station.

Hilton Aruba Beach Services, Vedere Una Ballerina Bianca Significato, How To Contact Someone On Spareroom, Marks And Spencer Lemon And Sultana Cheesecake, Kayo Bull 200 Top Speed, Articles D