At 1:34 p.m., on May 26, 2008, the assault force began to clear the objective area. Petry's task was to locate himself with the platoon headquarters in the target building once it was secured and serve as the senior noncommissioned officer at that site for the remainder of the operation.

Recognizing one of the assault squads needed assistance clearing their assigned building, Petry relayed to the platoon leader that he was moving to the squad to provide additional supervision and guidance during the clearance of the building.