The 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-333[1] first established a base at Đắk Tô in 1962 to monitor communist infiltration along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

In early-mid 1967 increased infiltration into the Central Highlands led Major General William R. Peers commander of the 4th Infantry Division to request reinforcements and the 173rd Airborne Brigade was moved by air to Đắk Tô in June 1967.

[4] Since the start of the Easter Offensive at the end of March, the string of ARVN firebases along the area known as Rocket Ridge had come under attack with two being overrun by the PAVN.

[4]: K-9  A T-54 moved into the base and began direct fire on the command post, the two remaining M-41s engaged the T-54, however their 76mm guns had no apparent effect on the T-54 which quickly knocked out both M-41s.

As the ARVN attempted to cross the Dak Poko river they came under intense PAVN fire and the senior U.S. adviser LTC Robert Brownlee disappeared during this engagement.

[4]: K-11  With the loss of the main camps, the remaining firebases along Rocket Ridge were abandoned and the PAVN had a clear approach to Kon Tum.