During the night, Artillery Fire Support Patrol Base II at Prek Klok was attacked by two communist battalions, resulting in a short battle.

With the help of air strikes from nearby planes, as well as artillery and ample supplies flown in by helicopter, the Americans easily repelled the communist attack.

On the evening of 10 March, the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment (Mechanized) (minus Company B), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Collins, was securing the perimeter of Artillery Fire Support Patrol Base II located at Prek Klok on Route 4, 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Nui Ba Den.

The engineers were engaged in building a Special Forces and Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) camp and airfield in the area.

This continued into the 20th century as these new religious movements were often able to quickly gather supporters through claims of supernatural powers and promises to defeat French colonialists.

At about 20:30, men of a Company A listening post to the east of the perimeter, while moving into position, reported seeing and engaging three VC with unknown results.

Within two minutes, the Americans began to respond through heavy mortar platoons led by Sergeant First Class Kenneth D. Davis.

[1]: 119 As soon as the mortar bombardment ended, Colonel Collins directed all his units to conduct a reconnaissance by fire of the area 200–600 meters beyond the perimeter.

During the attack, Staff Sergeant Richard A. Griffin of Company A ran from his sheltered position to supply his comrades along the perimeter with ammunition.

Moving parallel to the highway along the western side of the road, the VC ran across 500 meters of open ground towards Company C's positions from the southwest.

[1]: 121 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.