Scope and Contents

The collection consists of one copy of An American Adviser in Vietnam by Joe Putnam. Also included is one flash drive containing digital footage (converted from original 8mm film) documenting Lieutenant Colonel Joe Putnam's U.S. Army service as an advisor in Vietnam.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel Joe Putnam was born in 1944 in Oklahoma City, OK. He volunteered for the U.S. Army, where he served for 23 years. During his tour of Vietnam, he was assigned as a senior advisor to three battalions of the 46th Regiment, 25th Division of the ARVN in Long An Province: 1st Battalion stationed at Xoi Doi (January-March 1967), 3rd Battalion stationed at Can Giouc (March-May 1967), and 2nd Battalion stationed at Long Huu (May-July 1967). He was then transferred to III Corps Headquarters, Office of Regional and Popular Forces in Bien Hoa, where he served as Inspection Advisor for the III Corps Tactical Zone headquarters and made on-site inspections of Regional and Popular Force outposts throughout the entire III Corps zone (August 1967 - January 1968). He was involved in Operation Concordia. He received numerous awards during his military service including the Vietnamese Honor Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After serving in Vietnam, he became senior advisor to all Army Reserve units in western Oklahoma. He retired from active duty in 1985.
After retiring from active duty, Lieutenant Colonel Putnam served as Senior Army Instructor and Director of Army Instruction for two school districts in Texas for 11 years.