At the end of October 1969, 5,000 North Vietnamese Army regulars surrounded a force of 150 American soldiers and their South Vietnamese allies at a firebase in a far-flung corner of Vietnam. The situation was desperate and, despite initial attempts to resupply the base, soon became untenable.

In the fall of 1969, a force of 150 Americans and their South Vietnamese allies were surrounded by 5,000 North Vietnamese Army soldiers. This is the story of their desperate defense and against-all-odds escape.

Details on the Americans' harrowing escape, which covered 2.5 miles of enemy-infested ground in five hours in the dark of night

Explains how the Americans were placed in this precarious position mere miles from the Cambodian border

What this battle says about President Richard Nixon's Vietnamization policy