Texas Tech University

Mr. Allen Suydam Collection (1347) Finding Aid

Collection Item Number: 13470000000
Collection
Mr. Allen Suydam Collection
Title
Finding Aid
Pages
1
Language(s)
English
Dates
Creation: 15 June 2004
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, two issues of Tropic Lightning News, an old plane ticket, museum objects, military administrative documents and official orders, an Army enlistment book, a printed image of a National Liberation Front leaflet, and slides (with captions) all document Allen Suydam's service in Vietnam with the Army's 25th Infantry Division, 1968 - 1969.
Biographical / Historical
Allen W. Suydam served in the Army's 25th Infantry Division ('Tropic Lightning') in Vietnam from July 25, 1968 to July 24, 1969.
1
Slides
VAS023716 - VAS023857
Click to view all Slides
6
Museum Objects
Bag tag
Colgate tooth powder
P-38 can opener
Wristwatch
25th Infantry Division insignia pin
Cigarette lighter
Click to view all Museum Objects
1
Serials
Saturday Evening Post (8 February 1969)
Click to view all Serials
1
Oral History
OH0354 Interview with Allen Suydam
Click to view all Oral History
  • Box 1: [Barcode: 1] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, Stacks [D059.5 ]]
  • Box 2: [Barcode: 2] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, [Oversized Individual ]]
  • 1000: [Barcode: 1000] [TTU - Southwest Collections Building, Stacks [D054.1 ]]
  • Box 1
  • Folder 1
  • Original letter received (along with a Bible) by Suydam when he left for the Army from Lewison, Illinois (March 4, 1968) (note paragraph 7, per Suydam's note)
  • Photocopy of original orders for Suydam to become a Private E2 (June 24, 1968) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Airline ticket for Suydam to go to Peoria, Illinois, after Advanced Infantry Training (July 5, 1968)
  • Photocopy of original orders for Purple Heart awarded to Suydam (December 31, 1968) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Photocopy of original orders promoting Suydam to 'Buck' Sergeant (January 22, 1969) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Photocopy of original orders for Bronze Star awarded to Suydam (June 9, 1969) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Photocopy of original orders for Suydam's next duty station after service in the Republic of Vietnam (July 3, 1969) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Original Port Call orders to report for air travel (July 15, 1969)
  • Original out-processing papers from Vietnam (July17, 1969)
  • Photocopy of a checklist for travel clothing received before departing Vietnam (July 23, 1969) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Photocopy of original Air Medal awarded to Suydam (August 8, 1969) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Photocopy of original DD-214 (March 3, 1969) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Photocopy of original pay voucher (March 3, 1970) (original contains personal information and are in Restricted Access file)
  • Folder 2
  • Explanatory captions attached to original orders, printed images, museum objects, and Tropic Lightning News
  • Explanatory captions for the slides in the collection
  • Folder 3
  • Printed Images
  • Brief letter home from Suydam to his parents (no date)
  • Operations Area of the Army's 25th Infantry Division
  • A message from the Commanding General, MG Ellis W. Williamson, to the Officers and Men of the 25th Infantry Division (no date)
  • Christmas card sent to Suydam's pearents (December 1968)
  • Christmas Dinner menu (1968)
  • National Liberation Front leaflet: Happy New Year: 1969 (accompanied by a 1969 calendar and a brief message to American soldiers from the NLF)
  • Folder 4
  • The Secret of Getting Ahead (booklet encouraging enlistment in the Army)
  • Tropic Lightning Combat Art (this book is in terrible condition)
  • Folder 5
  • Shorttimers calander
  • Box 2
  • Folder 1
  • Printed images of a complete issue of Tropic Lightning News (December 2, 1968)
  • Printed images of a complete issue of Tropic Lightning News (May 19, 1969)
Perma Link
https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=13470000000
Citation
Mr. Allen Suydam Collection (1347) Finding Aid, Mr. Allen Suydam Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=13470000000, Accessed 07 May 2026.
Pub Credit Line
13470000000, Mr. Allen Suydam Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University
Added: 14 Jun 2004 [Updated: 01 Oct 2019]

Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive

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