Scope and Contents

Approximately one linear foot of materials documenting Colonel Christopher Gordon Gallavan's U.S. Army service as a Cobra helicopter pilot with H Troop, 17th Air Cavalry Squadron from January to March 1973 and his helicopter training experiences. The materials include artifacts; operator's and crew member's checklist; tactical aerodrome directory for South Vietnam; helicopter rapid refueling study; periodicals; flight training plan maneuvers; military orders; boarding pass; pre/post flight procedures and checklists; maps (including hand drawn map of no fly zone around Ft. Wolters); certificates; U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School graduation ceremony program; electronic media; images; and flight records. The materials are dated 1971-1974.

Biographical / Historical

Colonel Christopher Gordon Gallavan has 36 years of commissioned service. He began his military service in the ROTC and attended the Field Artillery School Basic and Advanced Courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College from June 1970 to November 1972. In June 1970 he was appointed as a Second Lieutenant, in June 1971 a First Lieutenant, in June 1974 a Captain, in October 1984 a Major, in October 1991 a Lieutenant Colonel, and in October 1996 a Colonel.


In January 1973 Gallavan served as a Pilot in H Troop, 17th Air Calvary Squadron for the United States Army in Vietnam. From January 1973 to March 1973, he served as a Pilot for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 17th Aviation Group (Combat) in Vietnam. In March 1973 he served as a Pilot for the 201st Aviation Company (Corps) in Vietnam. From May 1973 to May 1976 Gallavan served as a Section Leader, Flight Section Leader, Maintenance Platoon Leader, Service Platoon Commander, an Aircraft Service Platoon Commander, and an Aircraft Maintenance Platoon Commander for Battery C, 4th Battalion, 77th Field Artillery at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. From December 1976 to August 1977, he served as a Cannon Systems Officer and Special Projects Officer/Instructor for Battery B, Staff and Faculty Battalion, Field Artillery School Brigade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. From October 1977 to August 1997 Gallavan served in various positions with the 300/311th Aviation Battalion, the 158th Aviation Regiment, 90th Army Reserve Command, 7th Squadron 6th Calvary Regiment Attack Helicopter Battalion, and 4013th United States Army Reserve Garrison Support Unit. From November 1997 to November 2002 Gallavan served in Taszar, Hungary and Vicenza, Italy.

Throughout his military career Gallavan received decorations such as an Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and a Ranger Tab. He attended the University of Notre Dame for a BA degree in Government and the University of Oklahoma for a JD Degree in Law. Currently he works as an Attorney at Law and a Commercial Airline Pilot.