<img width="120" height="73" data-src="https://www.vvmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Full-VVMF-White-01-small-for-header.png" class="custom-logo lazyload" alt="Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund" decoding="async" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 120px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 120/73;" /><noscript><img width="120" height="73" src="https://www.vvmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Full-VVMF-White-01-small-for-header.png" class="custom-logo" alt="Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund" decoding="async" />

Visit the Memorial
The Wall
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America's honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War.

Learn More
Remember & Honor Those Who Served
Remember & Honor Those Who Served
The vision of VVMF is to ensure a society in which all who have served and sacrificed in our nation's Armed Forces are properly honored and receive the recognition they justly deserve.

Learn How
Explore The Era
Featured Topics
Learn more about featured topics of the Vietnam War and Vietnam Era.

Agent Orange
Discover VVMF
Preserving the Legacy
The mission of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is to honor and preserve the legacy of service and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War.

Our Work
Support VVMF
Donate Now
Your donation to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will help expand our mission to honor, educate and heal. Together, we can make sure our heroes will get the reverence they deserve and the stories and sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten.

Donate Now

THE WALL OF FACES

ADVANCED SEARCH

CHESTER M OVNAND

VIEW ALL PHOTOS (2)

HONORED ON PANEL 7E, LINE 46 OF THE WALL

CHESTER MELVIN OVNAND

WALL NAME

CHESTER M OVNAND

PANEL / LINE

7E/46

DATE OF BIRTH

CASUALTY PROVINCE

DATE OF CASUALTY

HOME OF RECORD

COUNTY OF RECORD

Lampasas County

STATE

BRANCH OF SERVICE

RANK

Book a table

Date

Time

Party

Contact Details

Your First and Last Name

Email

Phone

Check the box if this a cellphone

Check the box to opt-in to receiving text messages from VVMF

Relationship to the Veteran

Message

LEAVE A REMEMBRANCE

REQUEST A RUBBING

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR CHESTER MELVIN OVNAND

POSTED ON 5.16.2024

POSTED BY: Aaron Mackay

First one in last one out

On the front line where it all started
Saving a land of freedom departed
He may have been one of the first to go
But he is remembered and his name does show

read more read less

POSTED ON 10.23.2023

POSTED BY: John Fabris

honoring you.....

Thank you for your service and devotion to our country so long ago sir. That you served in three wars attests to that service and devotion. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

read more read less

POSTED ON 1.3.2023

POSTED BY: Tracy Briggs

Chester Ovnand remembered in Minnesota

Here is a story I wrote for Forum Communications. I was honored to tell his story. https://www.inforum.com/news/minnesota/the-first-american-killed-in-the-vietnam-war-was-born-in-minnesota-and-died-watching-a-movie

read more read less

POSTED ON 3.8.2021

POSTED BY: Lucy Micik

Thank You

Dear Msgt Chester Ovnand, Thank you for your service with the Advisory Team Bien Hoa. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

read more read less

POSTED ON 7.8.2020

POSTED BY: A Grateful Vietnam Veteran

Silver Star Medal Award

Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served in World War II, the Korean War, and in Vietnam where he served as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist. He was assigned to ADV TEAM BIEN HOA, MAAGV ADVISORS.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/do/OvnandCM01a.htm

read more read less