Scope and Contents

Over three linear feet of books, manuscript drafts, reports, correspondence, printed images, photographs, slides, audio tapes, film reels and tapes, maps, periodicals, letters from Lavelle to his oldest daughter (1966 - 1972) about Vietnamese refugees, stories written by Lavelle in 2004 about his experiences in Southeast Asia and about meeting his wife in Russia, and artifacts document Allen J. (Al) Lavelle's service with USAID in Vietnam working predominantly with Montagnard tribes from 1966 to 1973.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel Allan J. Lavelle, USAF (Ret) was born in Denver, Colorado in 1920. He developed an early interest in flying, and while attending Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia he entered the Civilian Pilot training Program. During WWII he served as an aviation instructor for the Navy, and remained on active duty until 1945. In 1947 Lavelle joined the Air Force Reserve and was a public information officer before becoming an intelligence officer and receiving Russian language training. His postings included Japan and San Antonio, Texas. He retired from the Air Force in 1964. From 1967 to 1973 Lavelle worked in Vietnam for USAID as Director of Refugees and War Victims in III Corps. In the 1970s Lavelle launched a successful teaching career, which included participation in an exchange program in the Soviet Union in 1975. Lavelle currently resides in San Antonio, Texas.