Scope and Contents

Two reels of 16mm film donated to the Vietnam Archive by Burks Hunt. The shorter of the two films is the aftermath of an ambush of a search team outside of Saigon in December 1973. The other film documents a trip to Hanoi to retrieve the remains of POWs who died in captivity.

Biographical / Historical

Paul D. Mather was born in Floyd County, Iowa in 1938. He volunteered for the United States Air Force. In 1969 and 1972, Mather volunteered for service in Vietnam. Mather served a total thirty years of service in Southeast Asia and three and half years in Vietnam. He was assigned to CORDS (Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support), MACV Advisory Team 47 from December 1969 to December 1970, CORDS HQ, Province Operations Division from September 1972 to February 1973, and JCRC (Joint Casualty Resolution Center) HQ and JCRC Liaison office, Saigon from February 1973 to April 1975. While in Vietnam, Mather held various positions including PYOPS/ PSYWAR advisor, Provincial Info Services Advisor, Province OPS Office (Project Inspector, Easter 1972 Offensive Recovery), and JCRC Public Communications Officer. He was stationed in An Loc, Binh Long Province from December 1969 to December 1970, Saigon from September 1972 to February 1973, April 1973 to May 1974, and September 1974 to April 1975, Nakhom Phanom, Thailand from February 1973 to April 1973, and Da Nang May 1974 to September 1974. During Mather's service in Southeast Asia, he held the rank of Captain and Major. He participated in numerous campaigns and events in Vietnam including spring 1970 U.S. Incursion into Cambodia, Nationwide Construction/ Recovery following 1972 Easter Offensive, recovery of U.S. remains from South Vietnam from 1973 to 1975, recovery of first U.S. remains from North Vietnam, Hanoi, and the Evacuation from Saigon in April 1975. For his service in Vietnam, Mather received the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with five service stars, and various of Republic of Vietnam medals. After his service in Vietnam, Mather was assigned to JCRC for thirteen and half years working out of the American Embassy in Bangkok and then assigned to National Defense University where he wrote a MIA manuscript. In January 31, 1990 Mather retired from the USAF at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement he worked for fourteen years for the Department of Defense as civilian intelligence analyst. Currently, he is an active member of the VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) and Saigon Mission Association.