Scope and Contents

Approximately eleven linear feet of personal and military documents from both the wartime and post-war periods, programs, newsletters, audio, periodicals, books, artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the actions of the Americal Division and reunions of the Americal Division Veterans Association. Included are materials dating from the 2004 Reno, Nevada reunion and the 2006 Portland, Oregon reunion. A sizable portion of the collection was donated by Leonid Kondratiuk. Donor Dr. Richard Burkes Verrone attended reunions on behalf of the Vietnam Center and Archive and included his nametag for the 2004 reunion and various other memorabilia.

The collection also includes a four disk DVD set consisting of a journal, audio clips, and documents that were presented at the Americal Division Albuquerque, New Mexico Reunion. It also includes a commemorative DVD honoring retired Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles (2 disc set).

The collection also includes a sizable compilation of Daily Staff Journals, After Action Reports, Combat Action Reports, and other S2/S3 Intelligence documents of various units and subunits of the 11th LIB, 196th LIB, and 198th BGE on the Battalion and Brigade level.

Biographical / Historical

The Americal Division was constituted 24 May 1942 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters, Americal Division. Activated 27 May 1942 in New Caledonia. Inactivated 12 December 1945 at Fort Lawton, Washington. Redesignated 1 December 1954 as Headquarters, 23d Infantry Division, and alloted to the Regular Army. Activated 2 December 1954 at Fort Amador, Canal Zone. Redesignated 25 September 1967 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 23d Infantry Division, and activated in Vietnam. Inactivated 29 November 1971 at Fort Lewis, Washington. While serving in Vietnam the Americal Division participated in the following operations: Counteroffensive Phase II and IV-VI, Tet Counteroffensive, Tet 69/Counteroffensive, Sanctuary Counteroffensive and Consolidation I.