[1]: 46 [2] The mission assigned to Padley's Marines was to occupy key terrain, deny enemy access into the vital areas, conduct aggressive patrolling in order to detect and destroy enemy elements within the Tactical area of responsibility (TAOR) and provide security for the base and adjacent outposts.

Padley was to support the Special Forces Camp at Lang Vei (16°36′00″N 106°40′05″E / 16.600°N 106.668°E / 16.600; 106.668) with his organic artillery,[3]: 290  as well as to coordinate all activities of allied units operating in the area.

[1]: 46 To accomplish the mission, the 1/26th Marines, commanded by Lieutenant colonel Donald E. Newton, stationed one company each on Hill 881S (16°40′18″N 106°39′45.2″E / 16.67167°N 106.662556°E / 16.67167; 106.662556) and 861 (16°40′36″N 106°41′13″E / 16.67667°N 106.68694°E / 16.67667; 106.68694);[3]: 237  a security detachment at the radio relay site on Hill 950; and the remainder of the battalion at the base, acting both as base security and battalion reserve.

The PAVN penetrated the position, but the defending Marines quickly forced them to withdraw, leaving 10 dead, one wounded and seven weapons.

[1]: 46 On the afternoon of 7 June mortar and small-arms fire hit a patrol from Company B, approximately 2,000 meters west of Hill 881S.

[1]: 47 In the early morning of 27 June, 50 82 mm mortar rounds hit Khe Sanh Combat Base, killing nine Marines and wounded 125.

[1]: 295 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.