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Garfield, the Hué Goose   Garfield, the Hué Goose, June 1968   Photo © Tom Pilsch Many accounts of the Battle of Hué mention an incident during the early hours of the 31 January 1968 attack when a white goose fluttered into the MACV compound.   During the offensive, a strange thing happened.   A white goose appeared at the MACV compound and stayed around throughout the 26 days of fighting.   We all joked that it was seeking a safe place.   We named the goose Garfield, and he gave us something to take our minds off the battle. James M. Mueller Tet In Hué, p. 5   Garfield on Guard   © Tom Pilsch (Click on image for larger view) Garfield the Goose became a fixture in the Doezema Compound after the 26-day battle and was regarded as a mascot by MACV Team 3.   Garfield's "turf" was the paved parking area between the hotel and the compound gate on Tran Coa Van Street.   He could be found there most of the time.   After dark, however, he assumed his post, a specific spot just inside and centered on the gate.   From this vantage point the feathered sentinel honked out a warning whenever someone approached the barricaded gate. It was uncanny. He was there every night, same spot, same vigilant stance. It was this dedication and tenacity that lead to his ultimate demise.   One night in the summer of 1968 Garfield was killed by a truck that was returning to the compound after hours.   The driver did not see him, and Garfield apparently did not give ground to the wheeled intruder.   Hué          Return to Top          LCU Ramp