Situated near the Laotian border Nam Dong was a South Vietnamese base that was making life difficult for the local Vietcong. On July 5th the Vietcong struck the base in the middle of the night. The Vietcong achieved tactical surprise and reached the outer perimeter of the base. A total of 900 Vietcong attacked, but the force of 373 allies (12 US green berets, 1 Australian and 360 South Vietnamese) held off the Vietcong who decided to withdraw. Captain R.C. Donlon became the first American to earn the Medal of Honor in Vietnam for his actions during the battle.