Scope and Contents

Approximately one linear foot of materials documenting Don Farris' U.S. Army service as a helicopter pilot with A Company 123rd Aviation Battalion 23rd Americal Division in Vietnam. The materials include artifacts; flight information publications; technical bulletins and manuals; pilot checklists; photographs and images; slides; selective service documents; flyers and pamphlets; memos and correspondence; yearbooks; electronic media; ID card applications; military orders; service records; pay vouchers; travel authorization forms and vouchers; award citations; Ft. Rucker and U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School records (e.g. course worksheets, notes, reference materials, guides); receipts; rosters; tax records; enlistment records; medical records; flight records; certificates; army regulations; a radio frequencies list; and event programs. The materials are dated predominately 1967-1970.

Biographical / Historical

Don Farris was born in Washington, DC in 1948 and died in April 2017. He volunteered in 1968 and served in the United States Army from January 1968 to August 1970. Farris served in Southeast Asia in 1969 and was stationed in Chu Lai. He served as a Helicopter Pilot and Warrant Officer for the A/B Company 123rd Aviation Battalion Americal Division, 16th Group. From January 1968 to December 1968 Farris was enlisted service in Southeast Asia and from December 1968 to August 1970 Warrant Officer 3.

During his service in Vietnam Farris evacuated civilian casualties from a Vietnamese village under fire, completed a nighttime insertion of weapons and medical supplies to a combat group under enemy fire, and completed over 30 dust offs. He received various awards and citations including a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and an Air Medal. In August 1970 he was discharged as Chief Warrant Officer 2. After his service Farris was a computer programmer and member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.