Texas Tech University

David DeChant Collection (1185) Finding Aid

Collection Item Number: 11850000000
Collection
David DeChant Collection
Title
Finding Aid
Linear Feet
5.0
Pages
1
Language(s)
English
Dates
Creation: 10 July 2003
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of photographs; slides; artifacts; newsletters; periodicals; newspaper and magazine articles; VHS tapes; oral history; memoir on CD-ROM; press releases; correspondence; Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial documents; Packet from Vietnam Veterans' International Reunion in Melbourne, Australia, October 12-15, 1988; Information on the National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Candlelight Vigil, November 10-12, 1982 at the National Cathedral; Documents from the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program; Documents from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Design Competition; Documents from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; and various documents concerning Vietnam Veterans after the war.
Biographical / Historical
David DeChant was born 02 June 1947 in Washington, D.C. In 1965, DeChant volunteered for the United States Marine Corps, beginning two years of total service. Thirteen months of his service was one tour in Vietnam, where he served with the 12th Battalion, 26th Marines from July 1966 thru January 1967 and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines from February 1967 thru August 1967.

First ranked as a Corporal E-4, DeChant was promoted to Sergeant E-5 and served as combat intelligence, primarily working with scouts and as liaison to South Vietnamese officials. He was stationed in I Corps at various locations, including Camp JJ Carroll, Dong Ha, Hill 55 (Southwest of Da Nang), and Con Thien. During his service, DeChant was involved in Operation Deckhouse III in Binh Tuy Province, Operation Deckhouse IV, Operation Shasta and Operation Prairie II, He was discharged in 1967.

After his military service, DeChant created a comprehensive market intelligence system, advised dozens of companies on enhancing their export operations, and participated in numerous trade delegations to China and East Asia. He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Association and has been very active in supporting and helping to build the National Maryland Memorials.

DeChant also participated in the Oral History Project at the Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech University.
2
Books
Roots of Involvement: The U.S. in Asia 1784-1971 by Marvin Kalb and Elie Abel
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Directory of Names
2
Photographs
VA031094 - VA031635 and VAN004165 - VAN004540, VA044002-VA044014
18 photographs of David DeChant's tour of duty in Vietnam and his work with Veterans after the Vietnam War
Click to view all Photographs
2
Slides
VAS018195 - VAS018661
VAS037696-VAS037745: 50 slides of David DeChant's tour of duty in Vietnam and his work with Veterans after the Vietnam War
Click to view all Slides
2
Maps
Vietnam and Neighboring Countries in 1968
Vietnam Conflict Map (Maps in Section 13 Drawer 19)
Click to view all Maps
3
Posters
Design Competition for the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Design Competition Constitution Gardens
Search and Employ: Jobs with Dignity (Posters in Section 13 Drawer 19)
Click to view all Posters
6
Museum Objects
1185museum0880 – Commemorative POW and MIA stamps

1185museum0881 – Pen used in signing House Joint Resolution 31, now Resolution 22 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, 1983

1185museum0882 – Sign for Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program

1185museum0883 – Plaque presented to David DeChant from the State of Maryland, November 18, 1985

1185museum0884 – Mounted Certificate of Appreciation from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to David DeChant

1185museum0886 – Mounted Certificate of Appreciation from the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. to David DeChant
Click to view all Museum Objects
1
Electronic Media
1185EM0547: Chowdown's Legacy (2 copies)
Click to view all Electronic Media
2
Moving Images
1185VI2087: VHS Cassette of the National Salute to Vietnam Veterans
1185VI3191: VHS tape -Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication, November 1982
Click to view all Moving Images
11
Audio
1185AU1262 – Soldiers of the Clouds: Richard Gill with the Assembly of Pride
1185AU1263 – A Rose, a Letter, a Poem by Pat Garvey
1185AU1264 – Vietnam
1185AU1265 – Vietnam Vets: Reaching Out (Panel)
1185AU1266 – Vietnam Vets PSA
1185AU1267 – Puzzel's Night Club - Peter C. Reyes KIA
1185AU1268 – Why Do I love Her (John Wayne) Americans (Byron MacGregor)
1185AU1269 – Maryland Vietnam Veteran Memorial Dedication Parts 1 and 2 (Sunday, May 28, 1989)
1185AU1270 – Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication Parts 3 and 4 (Sundasy, May 28, 1989)
1185AU1271 – Welcome Home: Dedicated to those who served in Vietnam)/Never Look Back by Chris Conde and Bob French
1185AU1272 – Taped Letter Home from David Dechant

Click to view all Audio
1
Newsletters
Virginia Vietnam Veteran, January 1989
Click to view all Newsletters
18
Serials
University of Baltimore Alumni Magazine: 2000: Winter

Vietnam: 1993: February

Vietnam Update: 1988: Winter/Spring; 1989: Summer

The VVA Veteran: 2000: December 2000/January 2001; 2001: October/November, December 2001/January 2002; 2002: February/March, June/July, August, November; 2003: January/February, March/April
Click to view all Serials
1
Newspapers
Pacific Stars and Stripes: Sunday Magazine: 1969: July 13
Click to view all Newspapers
  • Box 1: [Barcode: 1] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, Stacks [D088.4 ]]
  • Box 2: [Barcode: 2] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, Stacks [D088.5]]
  • Box 3: [Barcode: 3] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, Stacks [D088.5]]
  • Box 4: [Barcode: 4] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, Stacks [D088.2 ]]
  • Box 1
  • Folder 1
  • An American Sunrise - The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program - A History of ACTION's Three-Year Veterans' Initiative - Technical Report, 1984
  • Folder 2
  • Chowdown's Legacy
  • Folder 3
  • Correspondence, 1982-1988
  • Folder 4
  • Correspondence between David DeChant and Havre de Grace Middle School, 1988
  • Folder 5
  • Groundbreaking of Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Folder 6
  • Photocopy of "Living in Moral Pain," Psychology Today, November 1981
  • Folder 7
  • Maryland Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, 1981-2000 and undated
  • Folder 8
  • Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1981-1994 and undated
  • Folder 9
  • Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1982-1989
  • Folder 10
  • Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1989-1999
  • Folder 11
  • National Salute to Vietnam Veterans, 1982
  • Folder 12
  • National Salute to Vietnam Veterans, 1983
  • Folder 13
  • National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Candlelight Vigil at the National Cathedral, November 10-12, 1982
  • Folder 14
  • Publicity Clips for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1980
  • Folder 15
  • Some Lessons and Non-Lessons of Vietnam, 1983
  • Folder 16
  • The Story of the Vietnam Memorial, 1983
  • Folder 17
  • Unions - AFL-CIO, 1981
  • Folder 18
  • Unknown Serviceman from the Vietnam Era, 1984
  • Folder 19
  • Vet Center History
  • Folder 20
  • Vietnam - 1970
  • Folder 21
  • Vietnam Veteran Fact Sheets, 1988 and undated
  • Folder 22
  • Vietnam Veterans' International Reunion, October 12-15, 1988, Melbourne, Australia
  • Folder 23
  • Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
  • Folder 24
  • Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
  • Folder 25
  • Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and Religious Organizations, 1980-1985
  • Folder 26
  • Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, 1983-1984
  • Folder 27
  • Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, 1983-1984 and undated
  • Folder 28
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication, 1981-1982
  • Folder 29
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Design Competition, 1980-1982
  • Folder 30
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1980-1981
  • Folder 31
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1980-1985 and undated
  • Pamphlets
  • Statement of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Regarding Compromise Agreement, December 14, 1982
  • Program for the Interment of the Unknown Serviceman of Vietnam, May 28, 1984
  • Testimony of John Wheeler, Chairman of the Board of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, before the Commission of Fine Arts, October 13, 1982
  • Correspondence between Jan Scruggs and James Webb, 1984
  • Awards Presented by the Vietnam Veterans Civic Council, 1983
  • Statement of Senator John W. Warner of Virginia Concerning Senate Joint Resolution 119 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial)
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Fact Sheet, July 1980
  • Portion of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Directory of Names, November 1982
  • List of Events for Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Memorial Day Ceremony
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Press Releases
  • "One Man's Dream Builds Nations's Tribute to Vietnam War Vets," by Sandie Fauriol
  • "The Memorial's Moment of Truce"
  • "Vietnam: Ten Years Later," TIME, April 15, 1985
  • "The Legacy of Vietnam," Newsweek, April 15, 1985
  • "The Men, the Dream, the Story Behind It: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial," CalendaR
  • Folder 32
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1981-1983
  • An Open Letter to America's Corporate Leadership from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
  • Case Statement: From Sandie Fauriol to the Board of Directors and Advisors of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
  • Booklet on the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial
  • Official Park Guide to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Statement by Sculptor Frederick Hart
  • Parade Instructions - Tribute to Vietnam Veterans Parade, November 13, 1982
  • State Points of Contact - National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Week
  • Letter from Robert W. Doubek, Project Director of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to the Project Director of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program
  • VVMF News
  • VVMF Press Releases
  • Photocopy of Congressional Record, United States Senate, Proceedings and Debates of the 97th Congress, Second Session, December 2, 1982
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - Case Statement
  • Letter from Robert W. Doubek, Project Director of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, to C. L. Kammeier, Executive Director of the Marine Corps League, September 24, 1981
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Design Competition - Questions and Answers, February 10, 1981
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Report to Congress, September 1983
  • Folder 33
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1981-1984
  • Objectives of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's Communications Program
  • Letter from Stephen K. Cook to David DeChant, March 23, 1984
  • A Public Relations Proposal for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, January 27, 1981
  • Letter from Merle E. Dowd to Robert W. Doubek
  • Business Card for Daniel B. Priest of Bozell & Jacobs Public Relations
  • A Public Relations Program for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, January 28, 1981
  • An Outline for a Public Relations Program for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, January 1981
  • Initial Proposal for a Public Information Program in Support of Establishment of a Vietnam Veterans Memorial, January 1981
  • Promotional Publication for Daniel J. Edelman, Inc.
  • Folder 34
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1982-1984 and undated
  • "A Doughboy's Memories," by Joseph Ambrose
  • Pamphlets for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Statements Before the Commission of Fine Arts, February 8, 1983
  • A Proposal for Locating a Flag and Sculpture on the Grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Letter from James Watts, Secretary of the Interior, to J. Carter Brown, Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts, February 1, 1983
  • Statement Regarding Legislative Initiative on Memorial Design, November 4, 1982
  • Statement of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Regading Compromise Agreement, December 14, 1982
  • Certificates of Appreciation from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
  • The Truth About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
  • Interment of the Unknown Serviceman of Vietnam, May 28, 1984
  • Program for the Commemorative Candlelight Ceremony Honoring Americans Still Missing in Indochina, November 10, 1984
  • Statements Before the National Capital Planning Commission, March 3, 1983
  • Correspondence with James Watts, Secretary of the Interior, 1982-1983
  • White House Press Release - Remarks of the President to the Conservative Political Action Conference Dinner, February 18, 1983
  • Photocopies of News Clippings, February 9, 1983
  • Folder 35
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1982 and undated
  • VVMF News
  • List of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Groundbreakers, March 26, 1982
  • Program for Vietnam Veterans Memorial Grounbreaking Ceremony, March 26, 1982
  • Pamphlet on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • The Truth About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Folder 36
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1992-2000
  • The Official Program for the 10th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, November 6-11, 1992
  • Remembrance & Reflection: 10th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Letter from President George Bush to Jan C. Scruggs, March 26, 1992
  • Photocopies Excerpt from the Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 102nd Congress, Second Session, June 18, 1992
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial 10th Anniversary Calendar of Events - Updated Edition
  • Remembrance & Reflection: The 10th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Healing a Nation's Wounds
  • Official Park Guide to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • VVMF News Releases, 1992
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fact Sheet
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Bumper Sticker
  • Photocopies from Newsweek, March 8, 1999
  • Excerpts from Modern Maturity, May-June 2000
  • "Vietnam's Forgotten Lessons," U.S. News & World Report, May 1, 2000
  • Folder 37
  • Vietnam Veteran Steering Committee Report and Recommendations, 1982
  • Box 2
  • Folder 1
  • Magazine and Newspaper Articles, 1973-1985
  • Folder 2
  • Magazine Articles, 1982-1989
  • Folder 3
  • Magazine Articles, 1984-1987
  • Folder 4
  • Magazine Articles, 1989-1990 and undated
  • Folder 5
  • Magazine Articles, 1994-1995 and undated
  • Folder 6
  • Newspaper Articles, 1980-1995 and undated
  • Folder 7
  • Newspaper Articles, Photocopies, 1980-1982
  • Folder 8
  • Newspaper Articles, April 1985
  • Folder 9
  • Photocopies Articles, 1984
  • Box 3
  • Folder 1
  • Assorted Documents, 1967-1983
  • Photocopied Articles
  • Topic Outline for a Focus Group Dialogue on the Vietnam Generation and Reconciliation
  • Program for Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetary, November 11, 1979
  • Excerpts from Penthouse Magazine
  • Choral Arrangements by Peter J. Wilhousky
  • Photocopied Excerpt from The New Republic, November 21, 1970
  • United States Conference of Mayors - The Facts on Vietnam Veterans, May 10, 1979
  • The American Veterans Committee Bulletin, Vol. 34, No. 3-4, May-June 1979
  • "Vietnam Comes Home," TIME, April 23, 1979
  • Vietnam: Community Resource and Activity Guide
  • John A. DeChant PC #2600 1967 Vietnam Photos Index (Taken by David DeChant)
  • Folder 2
  • Assorted Documents, 1977-1999 and undated
  • Baltimore Council of Foreign Affairs, December 1982
  • Letter from William E. Colby to David DeChant, December 14, 1982
  • "The Unknown Soldiers"
  • Handwritten Notes
  • Cartoon Drawing - "Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States, Vietnam"
  • Photocopies Articles
  • United States Catholic Conference Congressional Testimony - Indochina: To Heal the Wounds of War
  • "Shrapnel in the Heart" by Laurie Carmody
  • Letter from Katherine Mannion, President of the Department of Maryland and Delaware American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., to Harry R. Hughes, Governor of Maryland, February 22, 1983
  • Scorpion News, Sykesville Middle School, May 1999
  • Program for the Ceremony in Celebration of the Two Hundred and Seventh Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, November 10, 1982
  • "Delayed Stress Syndromes in Vietnam Veterans," Physician Assistant & Health Practioner, January 1983
  • Program for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication, November 13, 1982
  • "Vietnam Tribute" by General William C. Westmoreland, 1982
  • Letter from Katherine Mannion to David DeChant, February 20, 1985
  • Veteran Seating Ticket for the Burial of the Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War at Arlington National Cemetary, May 28, 1984
  • Program for Dinner Dance to Benefit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, October 11, 1988
  • Letter from Jan C. Scruggs to David DeChant, October 6, 1980
  • Letter from Regina Wilk, Past Department President of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., to David DeChant, June 17, 1982
  • Letter from Zoltan John Levay to David Dechant, October 18, 1983
  • Letter from James F. Dechant to David DeChant, November 9, 1987
  • Letter from David DeChant, July 22, 1993
  • Folder 3
  • Assorted Documents, 1978-1990 and undated
  • Letter from Teresa B. Lachin, Department of American Studies at the University of Maryland at College Park, to David DeChant, October 22, 1990
  • Program for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Groundbreaking Ceremony, March 26, 1982
  • "Psychologist Arthur Egendorf Discusses Why His Fellow Veterans Can't Get Over Vietnam," People Magazine
  • "Soldiers of Misfortune," The Atlantic Monthly, March 1978
  • "A Thank You That Was 7 Years Late," U.S. News & World Report, November 22, 1982
  • Excerpts from TIME, November 22, 1982
  • Photocopied Articles
  • VVMF News - Facts About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Folder 4
  • Assorted Documents, 1979-1982 and undated
  • Photocopy of "Coming to Terms with Vietnam," Harper's, December 1980
  • Postcards of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • "Our Wall," Baltimore Evening Sun
  • "Vietnam Veterans"
  • Poem for the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, Wasington, D.C.
  • The Dedication of the Site of the Memorial to the Vietnam Dead
  • Photocopy of "Vietnam Vets: Tomorrow's Leaders," The Washington Post, November 12, 1979
  • Photocopy of "Vietnam Revised: Are Our Textbooks Changing?" Social Education, May 1982
  • Proclamation of Vietnam Veterans Week, 1979 by the President of the United States of America
  • Letters Section from Newsweek, December 28, 1981
  • Folder 5
  • Assorted Documents, 1981-1988
  • The Lessons of the Vietnam War: A Modular Textbook, 1988
  • Vietnam: Community Resource and Activity Guide, 1983
  • Cartoon from The Beachcomber, May 21, 1981
  • Folder 6
  • Assorted Documents, 1983-1984 and undated
  • The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Houston, Inc. - Vietnam Veteran Fact Sheet
  • Comments in the Media Regarding the Vietnam Veteran
  • Photocopy of "How to Lose a War: Reflections of a Foreign Correspondent" by Robert Elegant
  • A Selected Bibliography of Department of Defense Publications of the Southeast Asia Conflict, January 1983
  • Vietnam Chronology
  • Photocopy of "A Viet Vet Looks at 'Vietnam: A Television History' " Human Events, June 16, 1984
  • "The Last War, the Next War, and the New Revisionists" by Walter LaFeber
  • Centerpiece, The News American, March 13, 1983
  • Folder 7
  • Assorted Documents, 1984-1991 and undated
  • Photocopied Articles
  • Pamphlet from World Vision - What Friends Are For? Vietnam: A Christian Perspective
  • Pamphlet from Disabled American Veterans - Readjustment Problems Among Vietnam Veterans: The Etiology of Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disoders
  • Program for the Interment of the Unknown Serviceman of Vietnam, May 28, 1984
  • "Wall Warriors," The Washington Post Magazine, November 5, 1989
  • "The Essential Clark Clifford," The Washington Post Magazine, February 5, 1989
  • The American - Vietnamese Dialogue, Conference Report for The Aspen Institute, February 11-14, 1991
  • "Vietnam: 15 Years Later," TIME, April 30, 1975
  • Folder 8
  • Assorted Documents, 1993 and undated
  • Map of the Route of the 7th Battalion, 402nd Infantry (Airmobile) Hel;icopter Assault to the Khe Ta Laou Valley on August 13, 1970
  • Letter from David DeChant to Dean Nathan D. Baxter, The National Cathedral, October 14, 1993
  • Letter from David DeChant to William Salganik, Editor of the PERSPECTIVE Section of the Baltimore Sun, September 23, 1993
  • Letter from David DeChant to Hal Piper, from the OP-ED PAGE of the Baltimore Sun, September 23, 1993
  • The Tet Offensive: To Heal the Wounds of War
  • Folder 9
  • Certificate from the State of Maryland declaring David DeChant a member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission 22 February 1984
  • "Monumental Achievement," Smithsonian Magazine, November 2002
  • "Coming Full Circle: How UB Alumni have taken the lead in healing wounds from the Vietnam Conflict," University of Baltimore Alumni Magazine, Winter 2000
  • Box 4
  • Folder 1
  • Oversize material
  • Newspaper Photocopies, November 10-15, 1982
  • Folder 2
  • Newspaper Photocopies, January 14-18, 1990
  • Original Newspaper Articles, 1969-1994 and undated
  • Folder 3
  • Original Newspaper Articles, 1973-2000
  • Original Newspaper Articles, April 1985
Perma Link
https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=11850000000
Citation
David DeChant Collection (1185) Finding Aid, David DeChant Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=11850000000, Accessed 02 Aug 2026.
Pub Credit Line
11850000000, David DeChant Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University
Added: 09 Jul 2003 [Updated: 14 May 2026]

Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive

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