On July 8, 1959, Major Dale R. Ruis and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand become the first Americans killed in the American phase of the Vietnam War when guerrillas strike a Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) compound in Bien Hoa, 20 miles northeast of Saigon.    The group had arrived in South Vietnam on November 1, 1955, to provide military assistance. The organization consisted of U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel who provided advice and assistance to the Ministry of Defense, Joint General Staff, corps and division commanders, training centers, and province and district headquarters.

(R) Maj. Dale R. Buis, Army (L) Master Sgt. Chester M. Ovand, Army

(R) Maj. Dale R. Buis, Army (L) Master Sgt. Chester M. Ovand, Army

 

My post from one year ago today: The Liberty Bell

Posted by on July 8, 2014 in History, Vietnam War and tagged , , , , .

3 Comments

3 responses

  1. gpcox says:
    July 8, 2014 at 11:13 am

    That was one God-awful war!!

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  2. Birgit says:
    July 11, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    I always wondered who the first victims were of this horrible war. I know the French were there before but I always think of the Americans first regarding Vietnam

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