Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

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garyedolan
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Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

Post by garyedolan »

Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959, Major Dale R. Buis and Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand were killed in Vietnam. These men became the first US soldiers in Vietnam to be killed by enemy fire. Thus, they occupy the first two spots on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Buis and Ovnand were part of an eight-man American Military Assistance Advisory Group at a base camp in Bien Hoa, twenty miles northeast of Saigon. On the night of July 8, six of the men were in the mess hall watching a movie when Viet Cong terrorists attacked and opened fire. Major Buis and Sergeant Ovnand were killed along with two Vietnamese guards. These men became the first of thousands to die in the most controversial US conflict.
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Re: Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

Post by Ranger Bill »

58,148... R.I.P.
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Re: Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

Post by Jim »

Time passes. I departed Viet-Nam for the last time on 1 July 1970. That's more than 39 years ago.
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Re: Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

Post by Ranger Ron »

RIP!

I departed 20 Oct 1970.
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Lefty
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Re: Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

Post by Lefty »

RIP, soldiers

Departed 3 July 1971

Arrived home 21 Oct. 2005
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Re: Fifty years ago, on July 8, 1959

Post by Steadfast »

RIP Warriors

I departed RVN circa 12feb70.
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4/325 82d DIV 68-69
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