MAAS, Roy Francis 1947-1969

MAAS, ODEKIRK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/1/2012 at 14:29:28

LYLE SOLDIER KILLED

WASHINGTON (AP) Roy F. Maas of Lyle, Minnesota has been killed in Vietnam action, the Defense Department said Tuesday.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Maas.

[Winona Daily News. April 23, 1959]
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Believes Brother Died
For Worthy Viet Cause

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA - To the Editor: I'm writing this in memory of my fallen brother (SP-5 Roy Francis Maas of Lyle, Minn.) I had another brother who was sent over and came back to us. And now I and all of Roy's relatives and friends mourn the loss of him.

When my first brother (SP-4 Lyle Peter Maas, now of Ft. Hood, Tex.) came back I asked Lyle if he honestly believed we, the U. S. A., should be over there helping the South Vietnamese. He told me yes, because if we don't help, the Viet Cong would move in and just murder anyone and everyone that didn't go along with them. Also, it's better to fight over there than to be fighting in our own country as that's where it would come, in time. Then we will have trouble as we would have the war damage to look at.

My brother loved his country and gave his life for its freedom. If some of these draft dodgers would love their country as they say they do, they would help fight for their country's freedom in hope that they won't lose their life, too. I would hate to find out that my brother and all the young men have died for nothing.

Roy wrote to one of his classmates on the 11th of April (he was killed on the 18th). In the letter he said that he had been made tank commander (his commander was killed earlier). He also said that he was up for a silver star. We don't know if he received it as the casket was marked non-viewable. He didn't tell my folks all of the danger he was in as he didn't want to worry them.

I'm very proud of my brother even if he didn't win a silver star. The escort the Army sent with the body thinks he may be sent to Vietnam for his second time. He is married and has a boy in Kansas. If he is sent I hope for his safe return and a safe return for everyone else who is there fighting for freedom.

MRS. GARY ODEKIRK
[Waterloo Courier, May 8, 1969]

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Two brothers, both servicemen, have been assigned new duties following a leave home. They are Pvt. Lyle P. Maas, 21, and Pvt. Ray F. Maas, 19, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Maas, Lyle.

They enlisted together and have finished their basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and are now together at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland where they are attending school in auto mechanics.

Both are graduates of Lyle High School. Lyle graduated in 1964 and Ray in 1966.

Their addresses are Pvt. Lyle Maas, RA 16972931 and Pvt. Ray Maas, RA 16972929 both at 15th Enlisted Training Co., USAOC & S Class 54, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., 21005.

[Austin Daily Herald, January 17, 1967]

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NOTES:

A memorial on Findagrave shows the following

Spec. Roy Francis Maas

Parents:
Paul F. Maas (1906 - 1988)
Emma M. Maas (1916 - 1992)

He died at Lai Chau, Vietnam.

United States Army Specialist 5 served with the 11th Armored Cavalry. He was killed in action from multiple fragmentation wounds while serving in South Vietnam.

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Photo of Roy courtesy of David Olsen, on Findagrave.

Iowa GPP Tombstone Photo
 

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