84. Editorial Note
At approximately 7 p.m. local time on July 8, the United States 7th Infantry Advisory Detachment at Bien Hoa was attacked by the Viet Cong. The American advisers were in their mess hall watching a movie when they were assaulted by a force estimated to consist of five to ten guerrillas armed with small arms and home-made bombs. Five men were killed in the attack—two American advisers, one Vietnamese mess attendant, one Army of the Republic of Vietnam guard, and one Viet Cong. An additional American adviser was wounded. (Telegram MAGAC–P06598, CHMAAG Vietnam to the Department of the Army, July 8, and telegram 76 from Saigon, July 9; Department of State, Central Files, 751J.5–MSP/7–859 and 751G.5–MSP/7–959)
A short account of this attack was included in the synopsis of State and Intelligence material prepared by John S.D. Eisenhower for the President, July 9–10. John Eisenhower noted: “This type of outbreak is the thing which Diem has been constantly warning about.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries)