Papers of Richard D. McDowell 1967 July 24-1968 August 24

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists chiefly of letters and postcards written by McDowell from Vietnam to his parents in Houston, Tex. McDowell was stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and several letters describe the Tet Offensive in January-February 1968. There are also some vivid accounts of Communist rocket and mortar attacks on the air base.

Many of the other letters provide insight on daily life at Tan Son Nhut including such matters as pay, the Vietnamese people and military, living arrangements, work, food, weather, photography (there are no photos in the collection), and leave to Hong Kong in July 1968. McDowell also discusses, in response to correspondence sent to him, family matters at home (there are no letters from his parents in the collection), his desire to return to the States, and his plans for his return. He also occasionally mentions his then-girlfriend, Janice.

With the letters is a 42-page memoir "What did you do in the war Daddy?" containing background information on McDowell, transcripts of the letters, and commentary.

Biographical / historical:

Richard D. McDowell was an E-5 staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in 1967 when he was transferred from the 544th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, to service in Vietnam. At this time he had served 12 years in the Air Force. He saw duty at Tan Son Nhut Air Base as a photo interpreter from September 1967-September 1968. His unit was the 6470th Reconnaissance Tactical Squadron. He later served two tours of duty in Thailand (1971-1972 and 1973-1974) with the 432nd Reconnaissance Tactical Squadron. The correspondence in this collection dates from his Vietnam service and is written to his stepfather and mother, Newton and Frances Thomas.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Richard D. McDowell, Pungoteague, Va., 2005 July 22.
Arrangement:

The papers are divided into two series: Series I: the memoir "What did you do in the war daddy?" and Series II: Correspondence, which is arranged chronologically.

Physical description:
This collection consists of 46 items.