Scope and Contents

The collection consists of photo albums and audio letters between 1st Sergeant Walter Sowell and his wife documenting his U.S. Army service with the 261st Signal Company stationed at Qui Nhon from November 1970 to December 1971.

Biographical / Historical

1st Sergeant Walter J. Sowell was born in Georgia in 1923. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1946. He completed two tours of Korea. He worked at the White House Communications Agency from the Eisenhower to the Johnson administration. He completed a tour of Vietnam with the 261st Signal Company stationed at Qui Nhon from November 1970 to December 1971. He received the Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star. He was then assigned to the Presidential Communications Support Program providing communication services for the Secret Service during the 1972 presidential campaign. He retired from active duty in 1973.