Scope and Contents

The collection consists of approximately 3.5 linear feet of materials pertaining to forward air controllers during the Vietnam War accumulated by USAF Major Jon Alexaitis during his involvement with the Forward Air Controllers Association. The materials include photographs and images; electronic media; newsletters; periodicals; artifacts; audiovisual materials; reunion materials (e.g. attendee lists); directories and mailing lists; rosters; memos and correspondence; articles and clippings; website printouts; flyers and pamphlets; briefings; certificates; narratives; military orders; and ephemera. The materials are dated 1965-2013.

Biographical / Historical

Major Jon H. Alexaitis volunteered for the U.S. Army in March 1965. He served as a Huey Crew Chief with the 15th Transportation Corps Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) at An Khe from August 1965 to January 1968. He participated in multiple 1st Cavalry operations in Vietnam. He was then honorably discharged from the Army at the rank of Specialist 5 and completed studies at San Diego State University on the GI Bill. He then volunteered for the U.S. Air Force in September 1971. He served as an OV-10 Forward Air Controller (FAC) with the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base from September 1973 to October 1974. He participated in multiple FAC missions in Laos and Cambodia. He received numerous awards for his military service including the Purple Heart, 16 Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He retired from the USAF at the rank of Major in 1988. After his military service, he worked as a pilot for Pan American World Airways and other airlines. Since 2000, he has worked for American Airlines as a B-777 Simulator Pilot Instructor.