Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a flight log book, a journal, and a collection of clippings. The materials document Payton Rowan's service in Vietnam as the crew chief on a H21 Piasecki that transported ARVN soldiers as part of his duties with the 93rd Transportation Company from 1962 to 1963.

Biographical / Historical

Payton J. Rowan was born in El Dorado, Arkansas in 1929. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1948. He served with the 93rd Transportation Company (1962-1963), the 180th Aviation Company (1968-1969), and the 179th Aviation Company (1971). He held the positions of Crew Chief (1962-1963), Technical Inspector (1968-1969), and Flight Platoon Sergeant (1971). His Vietnam service included being stationed at Da Nang and Soc Trang (1962-1963); Nha Trang and Tuy Hoa (1968-1969); and Pleiku, Thu-Dai, and a second time in Da Nang (1971). He was involved in the Battle of Ap Bac on January 2, 1963. His many awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Bronze Star. He rose to the rank of E7 and retired from the army in 1971. After his military service, Rowan worked as a guard at a plywood company for 10 years before going to school for an Aircraft and Powerplant License. He then spent the rest of his career working on S64 and S34.