Scope and Contents

Approximately 4 linear feet of materials consisting of documents, periodicals, moving images, maps, photographs, slides, audio, and artifacts documenting Technical Sergeant Joseph Luther's service as a flight medic based at Phan Rang Air Base. The materials are dated 1964-1969, 2001, and 2008. The materials include correspondence; clippings; a pocket guide to Vietnam; Luther's passport; international certificates of vaccination/personal health histories; award citations; military orders; letters of appreciation; service records; certificates; personnel action requests; separation papers; event programs (e.g. Medical Training Branch Department of Technical Training graduation ceremony); flight evaluations; training records; change of station forms; performance reports; VA claim records; medical records; Luther’s obituary; Luther’s death certificate; records pertaining to Joseph Luther’s involvement with Texas Democratic politics to advocate for PTSD treatment (e.g. correspondence, PTSD factsheets, nomination statements, meeting minutes, press releases, clippings); records pertaining to Pedro Rescue Helicopter Association reunions (e.g. correspondence, receipts, agendas, lists of rescue and SOS SEA losses); and a copy of Phanfare: the Phan Rang Weekly newsletter (August 2, 1967).

Biographical / Historical

Joseph Neal Luther was born in 1943 in Kerrville, Texas. He volunteered for the United States Air Force in 1964 and served a total of eight years. Luther was a part of the 145th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron as an Aero Med Specialist and Aero Med Technician. During his time in Southeast Asia, he was stationed at Phan Rang Air Base as a Technical Sergeant. He was involved with combat rescue, the Tet Offensive, and three tours out of Phan Rang. Luther was also stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. For his service Luther received various medals such as a National Defense Service Medal, an Armed Forces Medal, and a Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1971 Luther was discharged. After his service he became a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and proceeded to go to graduate school and obtained a PhD. He then became a university professor and served as a dean for 27 years.