3rd Marine Division deputy commander BG Michael P. Ryan was given responsibility for the area and he controlled 3 infantry battalions, 2 reconnaissance companies and artillery and other supporting units.

[2]: 9 On the morning of 27 February a Marine reconnaissance patrol operation 5 km northwest of Cam Lộ Combat Base attempted to ambush two PAVN soldiers, however the soldiers were the lead elements of a company from the 812th Regiment, 324B Division which quickly surrounded the Marines who then called for support.

Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines patrolling with two M48 tanks north of Cam Lộ was sent to support the patrol, but were delayed by thick jungle and then were engaged by PAVN as they crossed a stream, following that engagement one of the tanks lost a track and Company L formed a defensive perimeter.

[2]: 13–4 On 3 March aerial reconnaissance spotted three large groups of PAVN moving towards the DMZ carrying bodies.

Air and artillery strikes were called in and 1/9 Marines searched the area after the bombardment claiming to have found more than 200 PAVN dead.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.