Scope and Contents

The collection consists of approximately half a linear foot of 8mm and Super-8mm film documenting Thomas Iannarino's first tour in Vietnam (1967-1968). Also included is approximately half a linear foot of slides from both tours (1967-1968; 1969-1970), museum objects, and a Cavalair newspaper.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Iannarino was born on 2 June 1941 in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio State University as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1963. He then volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army, and served two tours in Vietnam (1967-1968 ; 1969-1970) as a Unit Aircraft Maintenance Officer, a test pilot, and pilot, as well as two years in South Korea.

On his first tour in Vietnam (January 1967 to February 1968), he was assigned to Battery E (Aviation), 82nd Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Radcliff in An Khe. During his second tour, he was first assigned to 244th Surveillance Aircraft Company at Can Tho (June 1969 to January 1970), and was then transferred to command an Aircraft Company at Bien Hoa (January to July 1970). On one occasion he crashed in an OH-13S helicopter which then exploded, but he managed to escape.

Iannarino held the rank of Captain during his Vietnam service. He received seven campaign battle stars, and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, 26 Air Medal awards, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.

In 1984, Iannarino retired from the Army with the rank of Major. Following this period, he has owned a restaurant, worked with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, and Honeywell Aerospace.

The experience of his first tour in Vietnam remains the most challenging and rewarding period of Iannario's life.