Ralph C. Erchinger Collection (1362) Finding Aid
Collection Item Number: 13620000000
- Collection
- Ralph C. Erchinger Collection
- Association
- C-7A Caribou Association
- Title
- Finding Aid
- Linear Feet
- 0.1
- Pages
- 1
- Language(s)
- English
- Dates
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Creation: 23 June 2004
Scope and Contents
Documents, slides, maps, and films document Ralph Erchinger's experiences as a C-7A Caribou pilot in Vietnam (1967 - 1968), as well as his military training and home life.Biographical / Historical
Colonel Ralph Erchinger was born in Hammond, Indiana, on December 14, 1930. He joined the Air Force in 1954 and served in a number of capacities while stationed in Mississippi, Libya, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, the Philippines, Greece, and Vietnam before his final posting at Bergstrom AFB in Abilene, Texas. While at Bergstrom, he served as the Director of Disaster Preparedness for the Tenth Air Force Reserve. In addition to the C7-A Caribous he flew in Vietnam, he flew B-25s, SA-16s, and C-47s. Throughout his career, Erchinger was awarded many military decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.- 1
- Slides
VAS028475 - VAS028510 - 36 images of training at Clark AFB and service in Vietnam
Click to view all Slides
- 2
- Maps
Lap Map (Erchinger carried this map with him on every mission during his first six months in Vietnam) (D101.5 0versized box #1)
Survival map of Southeast Asia (Section 12 Drawer 12)
Click to view all Maps
- 2
- Moving Images
2 VHS tapes of old home movies and slides (transferred to VHS in 1982)
16mm film (3 reels)
Click to view all Moving Images
- 2
- Serials
The Lutheran: 1980: September, November
Click to view all Serials
- 1
- Oral History
OH0506 Interview with Ralph C. Erchinger
Click to view all Oral History
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Photocopy of a United States Air Force Biography of Colonel Ralph C. Erchinger
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Photocopy of the Citation to Accompany the Award of the Bronze Star to Erchinger
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Photocopy of the Citation to Accompany the Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Erchinger
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Photocopy of the certificate indicating that Erchinger attended Pacific Air Force Jungle Survival School (November 8 - 11, 1966)
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Printed image of the certificate indicating that Erchinger completed the Aircrew Transition Course given by the USAF Combat Crew Training School at Ft. Benning, Georgia
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Article from Airman (December 1985): Norman's Story by MSgt. Dan Allsup
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Descriptions of the contents of the 16mm films in this collection
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Photocopy of orders releasing Erchinger from active duty in the Air Force (23 April 1982)
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Chronolgy of Active Duty, Ralph C. Erchinger, Col. USAF, Ret.
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Copies of the About the draft, Son... and a letter explaining the articles
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Erchinger's research for About the draft, Son... article
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Erchinger's research for About the draft, Son... article
- Perma Link
- https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=13620000000
- Citation
- Ralph C. Erchinger Collection (1362) Finding Aid, Ralph C. Erchinger Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/items.php?item=13620000000, Accessed 25 Jan 2026.
- Pub Credit Line
- 13620000000, Ralph C. Erchinger Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University
- Added: 22 Jun 2004 [Updated: 04 Nov 2025]
Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive
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Address
Texas Tech University, Box 41041, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
(806)742-9010 -
Email
vnca@ttu.edu