 Despite the losses that had been inflicted on the 2nd Battalion by the VC, the U.S. military told the media that the fight at Ong Thanh had resulted in a major American victory.General Hay initially portrayed Ong Thanh as an American victory and cited 101 enemy dead in the battle.However, American veterans who survived the ordeals of the battle were adamant they were ambushed and defeated by the VC 271st Regiment.