3 More Yanks Die in Domingo

May 1, 1965 - U.S. paratroopers crossing the Guarate Bridge over the Osama River fought their way into the eastern end of rebel-infested Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, today and established a tenuous linkup with an advanced Marine patrol. Two paratroopers were killed in action, raising the official American death toll to five.

Paratroopers of the 82d Airborne Division pushed down glass and rubble strewn streets as they cleaned out rebel snipers block by block.

The renewed action came despite the signing by leftist rebel leaders earlier today of a ceasefire agreement. Loyal government forces leaders had signed the truce agreement last night. The papal nuncio, Msgr. Emanuele Clarizio, and former U.S. Ambassador John Bartlow Martin met with the rebel chiefs today in their stronghold.

Before the new slayings, the U.S. reported the death of a third Marine, killed yesterday while the Marines were establishing a safety zone around the U.S. Embassy.

Thirteen Marines and eight paratroopers were wounded in yesterday’s fighting.

Peace efforts moved rapidly to end the weeklong Communist-supported revolt. Rebels seek to restore ousted leftist President Juan Bosch to power.

Bosch, toppled from power in 1963 by a group of military men who believed he was soft on Communism, has expressed confidence that his “constitutionalist forces” will win the power struggle.

Rebel snipers renewed their attacks on the American Embassy this morning, despite the church-arranged ceasefire.

U.S. Marines, who had carved out a 9-square-mile enclave in the city yesterday as an “international safety zone,” beat back the snipers. No casualties were reported.

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