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Detachment Photos: Rio de Janeiro Photo Album
Detachment MSG Listing: Rio de Janeiro Detachment
Map: US Consulate - Rio de Janeiro
FACEBOOK: MCESG MSGDuty Group
FACEBOOK: MEGA Group
Together-We-Served: Rio de Janeiro

Recognized: 1824
Relations established: 1824
Legation/embassy established: 1825

Country Information

POTUS Visits to Brazil
SECSTATE Visits to Brazil
US Ambassadors to Brazil
Natural Disasters in Brazil
Terrorism in Brazil

U.S. Embassy: Brazil
Together-We-Served: Brasilia
Britannica: Brazil
Google: Brazil
CIA World Factbook: Brazil
Wikipedia:Brazil
DOS History: Brazil
Travel: Brazil
Travel Advisory: Brazil
Time: Brazil
Weather: Brazil
Phrase Book: Portuguese

DETACHMENT HISTORY

POTUS Visits to Brazil
SECSTATE Visits to Brazil
US Ambassadors to Brazil

2025
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2024
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

US Consulate Rio de Janeiro - YouTube

2023
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2022
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2021
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2020
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

EVERY DAY HOME LIFE - Consulate General Rio de Janeio’s Public Affairs Officer has had double duty

2016
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

REPLAY Father and son arrive separately at US consulate to be reunited

2015
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2014
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2013
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2013 – Riots in Brazil (São Paulo, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Recife, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and Vitória)

2012
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2011
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2010
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2010 – Riots in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at least 25 people have been killed.[202]

2009
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2008
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2007
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Douglas Mathes 2004-07 London, Kathmandu, Rio de Janeiro

2006
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Douglas Mathes 2004-07 London, Kathmandu, Rio de Janeiro

2005
Detachment Commander:
Lester Williams 2004-05
(LinkedIn) (DVIDS) (DVIDS) (Honoring 9/11 Victims) (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:

May 14 11,000 Brazilians' long march to Brasilia to protest land reform The Guardian

May 11 Arabs join summit in Brasília NY Times
Summit of South American-Arab Countries.
16 Top officials from 34 South American, Middle Eastern and North African countries

2005
Detachment Commander:
Lester Williams 2004-05
(LinkedIn) (DVIDS) (DVIDS) (Honoring 9/11 Victims) (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:

2004
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2003
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2002
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Brazil wins World Cup Soccer - Wikipedia

2001
Detachment Commander:
Kevin Donohue 1998-01Accra, Rio de Janeiro
Watchstanders:
Deric B. Hollings,

2000
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1999
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Craig Allridge,
Joshua Greenwood,
Deric B. Hollings,

1998
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Craig Allridge,
Lester R. Williams,
Jason Churchill 1996-98 Kampala, Caracus, Rio de Janeiro

1997
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Dave Laudner 1997-1999 Rio de Janeiro, Lasaka, (Linkedin)
Clifford Sosamon 1995-97 Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro (Facebook) (VoyageDallas)
Joseph Christian Charles,
Jennifer Marie (Campbell) Simmons,
Lester R. Williams,

1996
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Clifford Sosamon 1995-97 Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro (Facebook) (VoyageDallas)
Joseph Christian Charles, Jennifer Marie (Campbell) Simmons, Lester R. Williams,

1995
Detachment Commander:
Drew Goldsmith, Jr. 1993-95 Rio De Janeiro (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders: Scott Gibson,

1994
Detachment Commander:
Drew Goldsmith, Jr. 1993-95 Rio De Janeiro (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:
Scott Gibson,

Brazil wins World Cup Soccer - Wikipedia

1993
Detachment Commander:
Drew Goldsmith, Jr. 1993-95 Rio De Janeiro (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:
Jose Moreno, Matt Sowa,

1992
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Jose Moreno, Matt Sowa,
Thomas Hinkle 1989-92 Zagreb, Rio de Janeiro

1991
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Thomas Hinkle 1989-92 Zagreb, Rio de Janeiro,

1990
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Thomas Ray Hinkle,
Marc Cloutier 1990-94 Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon
Thomas Hinkle 1989-92 Zagreb, Rio de Janeiro
Jimmy Lagunero 1986-90 Islamabad, Rio de Janeiro (Univ. of Hawaii) (Linkedin)

1989
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Matt Dietzler,
Thomas Hinkle 1989-92 Zagreb, Rio de Janeiro
Jimmy Lagunero 1986-90 Islamabad, Rio de Janeiro (Univ. of Hawaii) (Linkedin)

Transition from Military to Elected Government

From: http://www.historyofnations.net/southamerica/brazil.html
January 1985, Tancredo Neves voted in as President.
April 1985 Neves dies from illness. Vice President Jose Sarney, becames President
1989 Brazil completes transition to a popularly elected government - Fernando Collor de Mello first direct presidential election in 29 years
Brazil Military Dictatorship - 1964 - 1985

1988
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Matt Dietzler,

1987 Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Mike Meecham,
Daniel A. Otten,
Todd Russell,
Brian K. Morgan 1986-87 Kabul, Rio de Janeiro
Daniel Otten 1985-87 Beirut, Rio de Janeiro

1986
Detachment Commander:
Gary Turnbeau1984-86 Budapest, Rio de Janeiro -Deceased (Facebook) (Oral History) (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:
Paul James 1985-89 Ndjamena, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, Frankfurt, Vienna,
Shelton S.Mackey 1984-86 Kabul, Rio de Janeiro
Brian K. Morgan 1986-87 Kabul, Rio de Janeiro
Daniel Otten 1985-87 Beirut, Rio de Janeiro
Gary P. Ruller 1983-86 Moscow, Rio de Janeiro
Mike Meecham,
John Northcott Jr,
Daniel A. Otten, (Facebook)
Gary Ruller,
Todd Russell,

1985
NCOIC:
Gary Turnbeau1984-86 Budapest, Rio de Janeiro -Deceased (Facebook) (Oral History) (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:
Shelton S.Mackey 1984-86 Kabul, Rio de Janeiro
Gary P. Ruller 1983-86 Moscow, Rio de Janeiro
John Northcott Jr,
Gary Ruller,
Todd O. Russell 1984-87 Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Ottawa, Vienna

1984
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
John Northcott Jr,
Gary Ruller,
Shelton S.Mackey 1984-86 Kabul, Rio de Janeiro

1983
NCOIC:
John A. Northcott, Jr. 1984-88 Rio de Janeiro, Bucharest
1974-75 (Watchstander) Lagos, Athens
(Air & Space Museum)
Watchstanders:
David Durdak 1978-83 Rio de Janeiro

1982
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
David Durdak 1978-83 Rio de Janeiro
Eric C Simpson 1980-83 New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Kuala Lumpur (LinkedIn) (Facebook)

1981
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Michael Toledo 1979-81 Jeddah, Rio de Janeiro

1980
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
David Durdak 1978-83 Rio de Janeiro
Michael Toledo 1979-81 Jeddah, Rio de Janeiro

1979
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Gregory Schley 1976-79 Lagos, Rio de Janeiro
David Durdak 1978-83 Rio de Janeiro

March 22: Mondale Sees New Brazil Leaders; Points of Contention Avoided. NY Times
Vice President Mondale met today with Brazil's new President, Gen. Joao Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo, in an effort to continue the recent improvement in relations, which deteriorated in the early months of the Carter Administration.

1978
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Arthur Moon 1975-78 Rio de Janeiro
Gregory Schley 1976-79 Lagos, Rio de Janeiro
David Durdak 1978-83 Rio de Janeiro

1977 NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Arthur Moon 1975-78 Rio de Janeiro


June 6: Mrs. Carter Arrives in Brazil Facing Toughest Test of Trip
St Petersburg Times NY Tmes LA Times

November 22: SecState Cyrus Vance Visit to Brasilia NY Times Spokane Daily Chronicle[exerpt]Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance urged Brazil's leaders today to reconsider their commitment to a nuclear-energy program using plutonium fuel, calling it uneconomic and politically hazardous

1976 NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Arthur Moon 1975-78 Rio de Janeiro

1975 NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Arthur Moon 1975-78 Rio de Janeiro

1974
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Carlo Giron,
Thomas O. Mashburn,
Tommy L. Williams,

1973
NCOIC:
William Barker 1970-73 Saigon, Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro

1972
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
LCpl Bronkhorst,
Michael R. Hadley,
Sgt Labarre,
LCpl Peters,

1971
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Carl Spicocchi 1971-74 Rio de Janeiro
Sgt Bartlett,
Michael R. Hadley,
Michael P. Mingucci,

1970
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Michael P. Mingucci,

In 1970, Nobuo Okuchi, Japanese consul general in Sāo Paulo, was kidnapped and Curtis C. Cutter, U.S. consul in Porto Alegre, was wounded in the shoulder but escaped kidnapping. Also in 1970, Ehren von Holleben, West German Ambassador, was kidnapped in Rio and one of his bodyguards was killed.[1]

1969
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Michael P. Mingucci,

Kidnapping of Ambassador Elbrick
Dept of State Communications concerning incident - Historical Archives
Telegram from US Embassy Rio to US State Dept (Sept 4, 1969)
Telegram from State Dept to US Embassy Rio (Sept 4, 1969, 2256)
Memorandum from SecState Kissenger to President Nixon (Sept 25, 1969, 2256)

(Wikipedia) In 1969 the Revolutionary Movement 8th October kidnapped Charles Burke Elbrick, the U.S. ambassador to Brazil. The rebels demanded the release of imprisoned dissidents in exchange for Ambassador Elbrick. The government responded by adopting more brutal measures of counter-insurgency, leading to the assassination of Carlos Marighela, a guerrilla leader, two months after Elbrick's kidnapping. This marked the beginning of the decline of armed resistance.
In 21 years of Brazilian dictatorship there were 339 documented cases of government-sponsored political assassinations or disappearances. More were questioned, tortured, and jailed

1968
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: 1968 - Bloody Friday, June 1968 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1967
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Charles L. Gatewood 1966-68 Rio de Janeiro
Robert T. Hasty,

1966
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Robert T. Hasty,

1965
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Thomas G. Bergstrom,
LCpl Wheeler,

1964
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Thomas G. Bergstrom,

Military coup: President Joao Goulart removed

1963
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Thomas G. Bergstrom,
Paul A. Chiechlowski,
Walter M. Dunbar,

Brazil wins World Cup Soccer - Wikipedia

1962
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Walter M. Dunbar,
Cpl Knapp,
John Asbery1962-65 Rio de Janeiro *Deceased

1961
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
William J. Lopez, *Deceased

May 31: US Admiral Intercedes in Cruise Liner Hijack off of Recife Wikipedia The Freelance Star
June 23: SecTresury Douglas Dillon & SecState Adlai Stevenson Visit
- Cuba Discussion with Brazil / Latin America - Time Magazine

1960
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

April 21:: BRAZIL MOVES ITS CAPITAL TO NEW BRASILIA
100,000 Attend Mass, Carnival
Chicago Tribune New York Times Brazil's New Capital City is Born

1959
NCOIC:

1955
NCOIC:

1957
NCOIC:

1956
NCOIC:

1955
NCOIC:

1954
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Roscoe Eagle,
George W. Smith,

Brazilian President Vargas resigns (expecting a coup), then commits suicide.

1953
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Roscoe Eagle,
George W. Smith,

1952
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Wallace E. Fogo,
Richard G. Latham,

1951
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Wallace E. Fogo,
Richard G. Latham,

1950
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Wallace E. Fogo,
Richard G. Latham,

1949
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Wallace E. Fogo,

Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL

Sergeant Danton Kyle Seitsinger

MOS - 0311
Marine Security Guard: US Embassy Brasilia (97), Moscow & US Consulate Rio de Janeiro
KIA : 29 Jan 2004 - Ghazni, Ghazni District, Ghazni, Afghanistan
UNIT: US Army Sergeant 486th Civil Affairs Battalion, Army Reserve
Born: 4 Oct 1974
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Family: Father/Mother: Dan & Jo Seitsinger.
Sisters: Karla Seitsinger (NYC) and Penny Owen Cockerell (Dallas)
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
High School: Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo (1993)
Tulsa World NewsOn6 Obituary , Oklahoman , Find-A-Grave

MCESG Region 4 (MSGBn Company D) (HQMC F Company)
(Volunteer Detachment Archivist Needed)
Send updates / corrections to history@msghistory.com