Based on signals intelligence indicating the presence of a Viet Cong command post in the area large enough to support a regiment, Col Berry chose the Minh Thanh Road/Route 245, which branched off Highway 13 as the best site for the operation.

[3] Around 1330 aerial reconnaissance saw a large Viet Cong force moving northwest of the ambush area and 1/28th Infantry was deployed by helicopter to engage them.

A two hour long moving firefight took place before the Viet Cong withdrew and 1/28th Infantry swept the area before setting up a night defensive position north of the Minh Thanh Road.

[3] The Battle of Minh Thanh Road was considered a US victory as the US had lured the VC into attacking a stronger force and then used firepower to inflict serious losses on the ambushers.

[1]: 324  Captured North Vietnamese documents acknowledged that the 272nd Regiment had "suffered heavy losses" due to its "unsatisfactory organization of its withdrawal from the battlefield".