Scope and Contents

Eleven reels of Super 8 mm film from Michael Banek's service in the Vietnam War.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Banek was born in 1946 in Santa Cruz, California. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1966. Mr. Banek served three and a half years in the U.S. Army (one and a half with Air America and two years in Southeast Asia). He was stationed with the 174th Assult Helicopter Company from June 1967 - June 1968, and worked with Air America from June 1970 - October 1971. Mr. Banek held the postions of Aircraft Commander, Pilot in Command, Unit Instructor Pilot, Unit Historian, and Unit Intelligence Officer in the 174th assult Helicopter Company. He then served as a First Officer in Air America, Inc. He was stationed in Duc Pho from June 1967 - June 1968 and in Saigon, Danang, and Can Tho from 1970 - 1971 with Air America. Mr Banek held the ranks of W01 and CW2 in the U.S. Army and the rank of First Officer in Air America. With Task Force Oregon Mr. Banek was involved in Operations Malheir I&II, Prarie Fire, Hood River, Benton, Raid Cook, Wheeler, Wallowa. He was also involved in the Tet Offensive of 1968, the Tet Counter Offensive, Operation Showhow, and Norfield Victory. Mr. Banek received the Air Medal with 35 Oak Leafs and the Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 April 1968. Michael Banek was Honorably discharged in January 1970 at the rank of CW3, he then served with the California National Guard from 1980-1988, and the New Hampshire National Guard from 1989 - 1991in Operation Desert Storm.