1959 Biên Hòa compound raid

Part of the Vietnam War (1959) February 2022 MAAG Compound Raid Biên Hòa, South Vietnam the Vietnam War 8 July 1959 Viet Cong victory Flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, Flag of South Vietnam (1975–1976).svg Viet Cong United StatesSouth Vietnam 6 guerillas United States American: 2 killed 1 wounded South Vietnam South Vietnamese: 2 killed 1 killed 6 advisors3 South Vietnamese guards Civilian: 1 wounded On 8 July 1959, six Viet Cong guerrillas attacked a Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) compound in Biên Hòa, a town about 20 mi northeast of Saigon. Major Dale R. Buis (visiting from MAAG 5) and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand (MAAG 7) would be among the first Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Two South Vietnamese guards were killed by the guerrillas.Bows Ray A. First on the wall the last word on the first American advisors to die in Vietnam 2012 978-0-929973-08-1 New Smyrna Beach, Florida 841229561 After the incident, MAAG personnel began carrying weapons.Doyle Edward Passing the Torch 1981 Samuel Lipsman, Stephen Weiss 0-939526-01-8 Boston, MA 8085591 Raid The Viet Cong attacked the mess hall, where six MAAG advisers were watching the film The Tattered Dress. Ovnand was about to switch to the next reel when VC guerrillas poked their weapons through the windows and sprayed the room with automatic weapons fire. Several 9mm rounds were fired at Ovnand. He quickly turned off the lights and went to the top of the stairs, where he was able to turn on the exterior flood lights. On the stairs, he died from his wounds. Buis was crawling towards the kitchen doors at the time. Buis saw the attacker coming through the kitchen doors when the exterior flood lights were switched on. He stood up and charged at the attacker, but was only able to cover 15 ft before being fatally struck from behind. The attacker, who was about to throw his satchel charge through the door, was startled by his actions and this hesitation resulted in him blowing himself up. The Viet Cong also killed two South Vietnamese guards who were on duty that night. Captain Howard Boston (MAAG 7) and the Vietnamese cook's eight-year-old son were among those injured.Spector Ronald United States Army in Vietnam Advice and Support: The Early Years 1941-1960 United States Army Center of Military History 1985 https://history.army.mil/html/books/091/91-1/CMH_Pub_91-1-B.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20120926064301/http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/091/91-1/CMH_Pub_91-1-B.pdf dead September 26, 2012 9780029303702 329 References Vietnam War Category:Battles and operations of the Vietnam War Category:July 1959 in Asia Category:Attacks on military installations in Vietnam Compound raid, 1959 Category:History of Đồng Nai Category:Battles of the Vietnam War involving the United States Category:Battles involving South Vietnam Category:1959 conflicts Category:Military raids Category:Attacks on military installations in the 1950s Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1959