Maj. Dale R. Ruis and Master Sgt. 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.
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Jul 8, 1959:
First Americans killed in South Vietnam
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Jul 8 - Jul 14
- Jul 08, 1959
- First Americans killed in South Vietnam
- Jul 08, 1965
- Taylor resigns Saigon post
- Jul 09, 1966
- Soviets protest U.S. bombing of Haiphong
- Jul 09, 1971
- United States turns over responsibility for the DMZ
- Jul 10, 1965
- MiGs shot down as bombing of North Vietnam continues
- Jul 10, 1967
- Heavy fighting continues near An Loc and the Central Highlands
- Jul 11, 1966
- Public opinion approves bombing of North Vietnam
- Jul 11, 1967
- Senators debate U.S. policy in Vietnam
- Jul 11, 1969
- Thieu challenges NLF to participate in free elections
- Jul 12, 1965
- First Marine wins Medal of Honor
- Jul 12, 1966
- North Vietnam urged to treat U.S. POWs better
- Jul 13, 1968
- Rockefeller announces new peace proposal
- Jul 13, 1969
- Wallace criticizes Nixon's handling of the war
- Jul 14, 1964
- North Vietnamese regulars are fighting in South Vietnam
- Jul 14, 1968
- Clifford visits South Vietnam
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