In fact he wanted to return to Pleiku rather than proceed to Plei Me, and could only be persuaded to continue by a promise of US artillery support.
The senior adviser attached to his headquarters, Colonel James P. Cahill, coordinated the American portion of the joint defense plan.
Reliable intelligence from multiple sources had indicated to them that Kontum city was likely to be attacked at some point during the week-long Tết holiday.
When PAVN troops penetrated the facility, Luật retreated to his private residence with one of his infantry companies, effectively abdicating his command duties.
M41 tanks and three M113 armored personnel carriers each towing a 105mm gun were among the vehicles stranded and Luật called in airstrikes to prevent them being used by the PAVN.
[4]: 114 On the night of 21 March the 1st Armored Brigade and 1st and 8th Airborne Battalions abandoned their positions south of FSB Bravo and began moving east.
When informed by a prisoner that two PAVN regiments waited in ambush ahead, Luật, notified Airborne commander General Dư Quốc Đống of the situation.