Scope and Contents

Less than one linear foot of photographs, a patch, Vietnamese currency, Chieu Hoi leaflets, military administrative documents, awards, articles, and flight records document Jack L. Coan's service in the Vietnam Conflict in the United States Navy with Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 Seawolves (HAL-3) in Vietnam, May 1970 - July 1971, and his involvement in post-war reunions. Materials date from both the war and post-war periods. Some photographs are in poor condition, with the bulk of the rest of the collection in good condition.

Biographical / Historical

Jack L. Coan was born in DeLeon, Texas. In June 1968 he joined the United States Navy and after completing Avionics Technical (AT) School in March 1970, Coan was assigned to VF-121 in Miramar, California. In October of that same year, Coan volunteered for service in Vietnam with Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 (HAL-3). Benefits for joining this squadron included increased tax-free pay and double credit for each year served, one year with HAL-3 counted for two years service of Sea Duty.

Coan's first station was at Binh Thuy, the home base for HAL-3 Seawolf, where he flew refurbished Army UH-1 Huey helicopters, known as the UH-1 Iroquois in the Navy. In January 1971 Coan was reassigned to Seawolf Detachment 1, stationed at Nam Can on the Cu Lon River. After his three year service, Coan was honorably discharged in July 1971.