Operation Benton

On the morning of 13 August, the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment deployed by helicopter into Base Area 117 and began moving north. That night a PAVN unit hit the 2/327th night position with grenades and automatic weapons fire killing one. Meanwhile, a company from 2/502nd had been sent south to reconnoiter the Base Area and was attacked by a PAVN force in its night defensive position. Despite artillery and AC-47 fire the PAVN continued their assault for two hours before withdrawing, leaving 35 dead and 18 weapons, while U.S. losses were five killed.^{[1]: 249–50}

On 15 August, 1/327th Infantry was committed to the operation to search the southern area, making sporadic contact with PAVN units, usually in the late afternoon so that the air and artillery support was less effective and they could withdraw under the cover of darkness.^{[1]: 250–1}

Despite up to five battalions being used in sweeping Base Area 117 and the area to the north, the units were unable to locate the 21st Regiment. In the sweep they captured 132 weapons, two large ammunition caches containing mortar and recoilless rifle rounds and destroyed a large training facility including barracks and a hospital. The PAVN meanwhile managed to shoot down five UH-1 helicopters.^{[1]: 251–2}

Operation Benton officially concluded on 29 August, with the US claiming that PAVN losses were 503 killed, U.S. losses were 45 killed.^[1]: 252

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.