The 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-333[1] first established a base at Đắk Tô in 1962 to monitor communist infiltration along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

In early-mid 1967 increased infiltration into the Central Highlands led Major General William R. Peers commander of the 4th Infantry Division to request reinforcements and the 173rd Airborne Brigade was moved by air to Đắk Tô in June 1967.

[3]: K-8  At dawn Vann arrived over Tân Cảnh in his Bell OH-58A Kiowa and made contact with the advisers who had escaped from the base perimeter.

Vann landed and 6 advisers squeezed into the helicopter while frightened ARVN troops hung onto the skids.

The 22nd Division had ceased to exist as a fighting unit, the divisional commander and his entire staff had disappeared, and the PAVN had captured 23 105-mm and seven 155-mm howitzers, as well as large supplies of ammunition and stores.

[3]: K-11  With the loss of the main camps, the remaining firebases along Rocket Ridge were abandoned and the PAVN had a clear approach to Kon Tum.