1959 Biên Hòa compound raid

MAAG Compound Raid
Part of the Vietnam War
Date8 July 1959
Location
Result Viet Cong victory
Belligerents
Viet Cong  United States
 South Vietnam
Strength
6 guerillas 6 advisors
3 South Vietnamese guards
Casualties and losses
1 killed
American:
  • 2 killed
  • 1 wounded

South Vietnamese:

  • 2 killed
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 miles (32 km) 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. After the incident, MAAG personnel began carrying weapons.