On April 10th, A and D Companies were sent to verify the reported presence of two enemy companies entrenched in strong defensive positions in the village of Phuoc Dien. In short time, both companies were pinned down and in heavy contact. It soon became obvious they would be unable to take the village without suffering heavy casualties and they would need additional reinforcements.

General Barsanti, the Division Commander, ordered the companies to "stay with the enemy" and agreed to send them whatever they needed -- which in this case was extra helicopters to bring in reinforcements. LTC Tallman, the battalion commander, moved B Company into the fray, and by nightfall had succeeded in completely surrounding the village. American positions were established no more than ten meters apart. LTC Tallman ordered 100% alert during the night as well as continuous illumination by flare ships and artillery. 

Between 2000 hours that night and 0730 hours the next morning, the trapped NVA made at least 12 separate attempts to break out of the village. The next morning, 36 NVA soldiers were found dead within hand-grenade distance of the American positions. Two dazed NVA were captured and taken prisoner. At 0800, companies B and D assaulted the village in a coordinated attack that met only moderate resistance. When the smoke and dust had cleared, the 2/501st had killed 70 NVA and captured 13.