Scope and Contents

The collection consists of one copy of Just Another Day in Vietnam by Keith Nightingale, as well as an oral history interview conducted with Colonel Nightingale. The materials are dated 2019 and 2021.

Biographical / Historical

Colonel Keith Nightingale served as an advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam's 52nd Ranger Battalion from April 1967 to May 1968, and then returned for a second tour as commander of D Company, 502nd and HHC, 101st Airborne Division from May 1970 to May 1971. During his long and distinguished career, Colonel Nightingale served in numerous capacities, notably participating in the planning of Operation Eagle Claw (the failed mission to rescue American hostages in Iran in 1980), as well as in the creation of Joint Special Operations Command in the early 1980s. Colonel Nightingale also saw action during the U.S. effort in Grenada in December 1983 as commander of 2nd Battalion, 505th, 82nd Airborne Division. Colonel Nightingale also coordinated efforts to curtail the drug trade in Central and South America before retiring from the Army in 1993.