- The main force of the attack began at approximately 0001 hours, beginning at the northern portion of the perimeter. The main force
moved down the west side of the road and peeled off to the portion of the perimeter occupied by 2-22 Infantry (M) with only a small
force attacking one platoon of Company B, 3-22 Infantry on the east side of the road. Almost simultaneously a heavy attack of RPG’s,
machine guns and small arms opened up on the southern portion of the perimeter along the road. The heaviest force peeled to the east
attacking Company C while a smaller assault element moved to the west toward the element of the 2-22 Infantry (M) on the west side
of the road. The attack from the south followed the road, the majority of the attackers moving along the ditches which paralleled
the road on both sides. Within minutes, a large force opened up with RPG’s, machine guns, small arms, and grenades at the eastern
perimeter, attempting to penetrate the company perimeter. The VC continued to cover their attack with 60mm mortar fire. All US personnel
not occupying LP or ambushes were defending from sandbagged bunkers with overhead covers.
- Between 0100 to 0230 hours, 105mm Beehive direct fire was requested and fired along Company C perimeter. VC had penetrated a portion
of Company C perimeter at approximately 0200 hours. Beehive rounds eliminated penetration except for four (4) VC. From 0230 to 0400
hours, direct fire from 105mm artillery across Company C perimeter, firing Beehive until expended, then firing HE direct. Company
A was reinforced by direct fire across its perimeter from 155mm artillery. At 0200 hours, Company A lost radio communications with
its 16 element and two (2) or three (3) VC penetrated the perimeter. At 0300 hours, 2 platoons of Company B (reserve) were committed
to reinforce and hold Company A perimeter. From 0445 to 0500 hours, Reconnaissance Platoons was committed to reinforce Company C,
who had sustained slight penetration. Recon Platoon could not reinforce previous to this because constant direct fire of Beehive rounds
prevented any movement in that area. At 0330 hours, one (1) APC from 2-22 Infantry (M) perimeter was moved to reinforce Company C
from rear, and a second APC was placed at 0430 hours. Between 0230 hours and 0330 hours, air strikes were placed on area to the southeast
in front of Company C perimeter employing both napalm and CBU.
- At approximately 0230 hours, Company C ambush reported that 50% of its personnel were casualties. At the time one (1) was KIA from
RPG, and several were wounded. In the morning, it was determined that of the 16 men ambush, there had been 1 KIA, 11 WIA from enemy
fire and 1 KIA due to the close air support.
Fierce close in fighting continued until approximately 0500 hours, when the VC began to withdraw leaving behind their dead and wounded. By 0630 hours, the fighting had nearly stopped with only occasional sniper and some automatic weapons fire. Estimated enemy casualties after early morning sweep near perimeter, 105 VC KIA (BC), 2 VC (PW). Undetermined number of VC individual and crew served weapons. US losses, 16 KIA, 99 WIA. The enemy size and units were not determined exactly, however, it was fairly certain that the size of the force was at least a reinforced regiment with elements from the 271st and 272nd VC Regiments positively identified both from documents and PW interrogation.