Vietnam Military Assistance Advisory Group Team 58 photograph collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669

Summary

Extent:
0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Creator:
George Mason University. Special Collections and Archives.
Abstract:
The collection contains 104 black and white photographs measuring 3.75 x 2.5 inches, of MAAG Advisory Team 58. The images in this collection document the camp life of MAAG Advisory team 58. Photographs in the collection show the day-to-day life in the camp with no images of combat. The majority of photographs feature portraits of MAAG Team 58.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains 104 black and white photographs measuring 3.75 x 2.5 inches, of MAAG Advisory Team 58. Photographs in the collection show the day-to-day life in the camp with no images of combat. The majority of photographs feature portraits of MAAG Team 58. Photographs of advisors include personnel working in offices, eating meals and enjoying down time, and preparing for a USO show. Several photographs document an assembly with Vietnamese speakers attended by both military advisors and local residents. Photographs also include scenes of the town of Vi Thanh, and several photographs taken from an airplane.

Series 1 contains photographs taken from an assembly in Vi Thanh. The photographs show one main speaker addressing the crowd from a platform with several other persons sitting behind him. Photographs of the crowd show both soldiers and civilians in attendance. Though the purpose and issues discussed at the assembly remain undocumented, soldiers in the audience carry banners with Vietnamese slogans printed on them which could provide further insight.

Series 2 contains photographs of the MAAG Team-58 camp. Photographs document the interiors and exteriors of the camp, showing soldier common areas and images of several buildings that make up the camp complex. Interior shots show the living quarters of MAAG Team 58 including bedrooms and common areas used for meals and recreation. Interiors also depicted include rooms used for meetings and office space. Exterior views of the camp include several shots of different kinds of buildings. Large multipurpose buildings as well as small living quarters are shown. Images of several roofs show that buildings were marked with MAAG Team 58, Vi Thanh.

Series 3 includes Aerial views of Vietnam and images of the camp's runway and pilots. Four images in this series are shot from the back of a cargo or transport aircraft. The other four images in the series show planes taking off from the camp's makeshift runway and aviation crew members.

Series 4 contains images of Vi Thanh,the capital of what was then called Chuong-Thien Province. Photographs of Vi Thanh include the main town area and areas of local recreation. Several photographs show a local tennis court being used by both civilians and possibly soldiers. Images of Vi Thanh town center include shop fronts with local residents, and a main street populated with cars and residents.

Series 5 contains portraits of MAAG Team 58. Portraits in the series contain individual as well as group portraits. Only one of the portraits in the series is labeled, documenting place and date. None of the figures in the portraits are identified. Images show the soldiers working at their desks, sitting in common areas, eat meals, congregating outside and solitary against a non-descript background.

Biographical / historical:

MAAG (Military Assistance Advisory Group), Vietnam, was an organization of military personnel, sent to train and assist South Vietnamese armed forces. Originally, the delegation was sent to support the French military in the First Indochina War and named MAAG Indochina. With the withdrawal of French troops from Vietnam, MAAG shifted its focus to the training of South Vietnamese forces in an effort to stem the rising influence of Communism. MAAG Vietnam was in operation from 1955-1964. At the time the photographs in this collection were taken, Team 58 was stationed in Vi Thanh in the former Chuong Thien province. Throughout its inception MAAG Vietnam was under the control of three generals; Lieutenant General Samuel T. Williams, November 1955-September 1960, Lieutenant General Lionel C. McGarr, September 1960-July 1962, and Major General Charles J. Timmes, July 1962-May 1964. In 1964 MAAG was placed under U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) and had grown from a few hundred advisors to over 3,000.

Acquisition information:
The collection of photographs was purchased from Between the Covers in August of 2011.
Arrangement:

The photographs in this collection are arranged by subject.

  • Series 1: Vi Thanh Assembly, 1955-1965 (Box 1)
  • Series 2: MAAG Team 58 Camp, 1955-1965 (Box 1)
  • Series 3: Aviation and Aerial Photography, 1955-1965 (Box 1)
  • Series 4: Vi Thanh, 1955-1965 (Box 1)
  • Series 5: Portraits, 1955-1965 (Box 1)