H. David Cogley Papers, 1969-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Cogley, H. David (Herbert David), 1945-
Title
H. David Cogley Papers
Dates
1969-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.1 linear ft. and 1 partial reel microfilm
Collection Number
Mss 319 (collection)
Summary
H. David Cogley was an engineer with the 326th engineer battalion of the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Camp Eagle in South Vietnam. His collection includes a scrapbook, reminiscences, and photographs of his experiences in South Vietnam as a member of an engineer battalion in the 101st Airborne Division from 1969 to 1970.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Herbert David Cogley was born in New Orleans on December 28, 1945. At about one year of age he moved to the Brusett, Montana area. He earned his high school diploma in Jordan, Montana, in 1964. In 1968, Cogley earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Montana State University. The same year, he gained a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Montana State University.

Cogley was stationed in Vietnam for one year, beginning in late 1969, as an engineer with the 326th engineer battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. In November 1970, he was released from active duty, whereupon he returned to the United States. Cogley went on to receive a JD in law at the University of Montana Law School in 1975. He served on the legal staff of the Montana Legislature from 1975 to 1989. Since 1979, he has been owner and manager of Wildwood Log Homes in Clancy, Montana.

Cogley has a wife, Helen, three sons and a daughter.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection includes a scrapbook, photographs, and two reminiscences of H. David Cogley's experiences in South Vietnam as a member of an engineer battalion in the 101st Airborne Division from 1969 to 1970.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Non-exclusive copyright transferred to the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], H. David Cogley Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series:

Series I: Reminiscence, 1969-1970, 0.1 linear ft.

Series II: Vietnam Scrapbook, 1969-1970, 1 partial reel microfilm (55 frames)

Series III: Photographs, 1970, 50 items

Custodial History

The materials in this collection remained with H. David Cogley until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.

Acquisition Information

Gift of H. David Cogley, 1972.

Processing Note

This collection was originally numbered SC 150. In 2001, the collection was reprocessed as Mss 319 and re-described.

Separated Materials

During original processing, fifty 35mm negatives and secondary photographic prints were separated from this collection and integrated into the K. Ross Toole Archives general photo collection. These negatives and prints were given photograph numbers 74-99 through 74-148. In 2003 the photographic materials were reintegrated with the paper materials.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Reminiscences , 1969-1970Return to Top

2 folders

This series contains two items. The first is a 57-page typed reminiscence of H. David Cogley's experiences in Vietnam. The reminiscence includes a description of airmobile combat engineer unit projects and daily life, in addition to original poetry by Cogley. The reminiscence also includes four appendices: a glossary of Vietnam terms, a hand-rendered map of South Vietnam, a firebase inspection checklist, and an after action report. The second is a revised and spiral bound version of the reminiscence entitled "Vietnam Journal, 1969-1970."

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Airborne: Vietnam Diary
 1969-1970
1/2
Vietnam Journal, 1969-1970
 undated

Series II:  Vietnam Scrapbook , 1969-1970Return to Top

1 partial reel microfilm (55 frames)

This series consists of a microfilmed scrapbook. The scrapbook is divided into three sections: newspaper clippings, poetry, and documents. The newspaper clippings include articles and photographs from The "Airborne Screaming Eagle Newsletter" for the 101st Airborne Division and the "Pacific Stars and Stripes" Newspaper. Many articles have a connection to the O'Reilly Fire Support Base or other 101st Airborne Division-related activities. The articles are undated, but appear to be arranged in chronological order.

The second section includes clippings of poetry from the "Pacific Stars and Stripes Newspaper," in addition to rough and final drafts of poems by H. David Cogley about Vietnam written between 1969 to 1970. The third section includes a hand-rendered map of South Vietnam with fire support base locations marked. There are also H. David Cogley's personal documents, including a transfer letter, an engineer checklist, duty list, and an after action report.

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel/Frame
1/1
"Start"
1969-1970
1/2
"University of Montana Library"
1969-1970
1/3
"H. David Cogley Scrapbook"
1969-1970
1/4
"H. David Cogley Papers"
1969-1970
1/5
"Newspaper Clippings"
1969-1970
1/6
Airborne Screaming Eagle Newsletter; 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), Vol. III, No. 23, Oct. 26, 1970; Headlines "101st Honored Avn. Unit of the Year," "U.S. Airpower Blasts Enemy; Cobras and Jets Record 37 Kills," "ARA Support Strong"
1969-1970
1/7
"U.S. Air Strikes Drive Reds Out of O'Reilly Area"
1969-1970
1/8
"Air Strikes Blast Attackers Around Embattled O'Reilly"
1969-1970
1/9
"Historical Battle Relived Along Perfume River"
1969-1970
1/10
"Minor Skirmishes Punctuate Lull," "Up We Go" photo of U.S. Army Chinook Helicopter," "Reds Attack ARVNS Near O'Reilly," "Accidental Mortar Explosion Kills 1 ARVN, Wounds 27"
1969-1970
1/11
"N. Viets Building New Supply Center in Laos," "ARVN, Reds Clash in 1 MR; U.S. Battle Action Scattered," "New VC Superstition: Black Cats are Fatal," "South Viets, NVA Dueling at O'Reilly"
1969-1970
1/12
"Red Ground Fire Downs 3 U.S. Helos Over Laos," "Reds Hit American Div. Posts, Fire 141 Rounds at O'Reilly," "Setting Up a Surprise for Charlie" (photograph), "ARVN on the Attack"
1969-1970
1/13
"ARVN, Militiamen Repel Attacks: 223 Reds Fall Near Quang Tri," "Judge Sees Fair Trial for Marine," "S. Viet Kills 38 As Reds Attack Near Fire Base," "No Streamlined Task" (photo), "Redlegs of the 101st Fire Howitzer at Suspected Enemy Positions About 25 mi. N. of Da Nang"
1969-1970
1/14
"There Was Lots to Like About Bob Hope But the Best Show Was the Girls" (photo, H. David Cogley pictured), "Viet Gunners Keep Battery Charged"
1969-1970
1/15
"Air Strikes Blast Attackers Around Embattled O'Reilly" (photo)
1969-1970
1/16
"The Mosquito" a poem by Sgt. Roger A. Peters; "Misplaced Bomb Saves Embattled Troopers," "A Pronounced Trend: Some Military Units are Really Getting Short," "N. Viet. War Plan: Capture 2 Provinces," "Pilot Filmed in Death," "Children Harvest GI Gifts"
1969-1970
1/17
"Business As Usual Along the DMZ", South Vietnamese artilleryman near Fire Support Base O'Reilly (photo), "Alpha 4 Plays Eerie Game of Watch and Wait at DMZ" (political cartoon)
1969-1970
1/18
"Calif. City Adopts Unit," Aug. 31, 1970, "GI Saved By Copter 'Life Belt'," Defensive wire at Firebase Tomahawk (photo), "Blood Tears Again Fill Street Without Joy," "Danger is Routine to Dustoff Crews"
1969-1970
1/19
"All Quiet in the Citadel" (photo),"Militiamen Fight to Regain 2 NVA-Overrun Hamlets" w/ photo, Helicopter landing at Fire Support Base O'Reilly (photo), "How Facts Point the Way: Air Spotting 'Barkys' Have Bite, Too"
1969-1970
1/20
"Now It's Fire Base Rubble" (photo), "The Last Few Hours at FSB Ripcord...We Just Hit the Ground and Prayed," "Reds Were Planning to Assault Firebase"
1969-1970
1/21
"Enemy Blasted in Ripcord-Like Hill Fight," "Out of Frying Pan, Into Fire for Never-Say Die Helo Scout," "Ripcord," "Retreat from Ripcord" Newsweek
Aug. 3, 1970
1/22
"Retreat from Ripcord" continued, Duplicate articles
1969-1970
1/23
"101st Near Ripcord"
1969-1970
1/24
Duplicate articles
1969-1970
1/25
"AF Blazes NVA Trail" (photo), "Hot Battery in Action" (photo)
1969-1970
1/26
"Battery in Action" (photo), "1 Man's Family in Cambodia" (photo)
1969-1970
1/27
Eagles Aviation Units, photo clippings
1969-1970
1/28
Photographs by 101st Info. Office
1969-1970
1/29
Poems
1969-1970
1/30
"Boondock Bards," Pacific Stars and Stripes, Newspaper
1969-1970
1/31
"Boondock Bards," Pacific Stars and Stripes, Newspaper
1969-1970
1/32
"Christian Objection," "The Soldier's Question," "Mankind Vindicated
1969-1970
1/33
"Vision Lost," "Here in Vietnam," "Note on Passing," "Vision Lost" rough draft
1/34
"Note in Passing," Boarding Pass"
1969-1970
1/35
"Here in Vietnam"
1969-1970
1/36
"The Soldier's Question"
1969-1970
1/37
"Vision Lost"
1969-1970
1/38
"Christian Objection"
1969-1970
1/39
"Mankind Vindicated"
1969-1970
1/40
"Street Without Joy"
1969-1970
1/41
"Dream of Home"
1969-1970
1/42
Documents
1969-1970
1/43
South Vietnam Fire Support Bases, (hand-rendered map)
1969-1970
1/44
Transfer Letter for Herbert David Cogley
1970
1/45
Transfer Letter for Herbert David Cogley
1970
1/46
Transfer Letter for Herbert David Cogley
1970
1/47
Engineer inspection checklist
1969-1970
1/48
Engineer inspection checklist
1969-1970
1/49
Operation Texas Star Combat After Action Report, (handwritten duty list)
1969-1970
1/50
Combat After Action Report
Sept. 25, 1970
1/51
Combat After Action Report
Sept. 25, 1970
1/52
Combat After Action Report
Sept. 25, 1970
1/53
Combat After Action Report
Sept. 25, 1970
1/54
Combat After Action Report
Sept. 25, 1970
1/55
"End"
1969-1970

Series III:  Photographs, 1970Return to Top

50 items

This series contains 50 frames of 35 mm flexible film negatives. These materials document some of David Cogley's experiences and travels during his Vietnam War military service. The images captured in these negatives provide insights into engineering practices and procedures applied to mobile military units during the conflict, equipment and base supplies for airborne units, daily base camp life for airborne personnel, and living conditions in cities near 101st Airborne Division central operations. Duplicate prints are available for viewing under photograph numbers 74-99 through 74-148.

Most of the photograph descriptions were provided by Mr. Cogley; however, in a few instances archives personnel added brief descriptive information in brackets to aid quick identification of materials.In 1974 secondary prints were produced from these negatives. Both the negatives and prints were incorporated into the Archives general photographic collection and assigned reference numbers #74-99 through #74-148. In 2003 the 35mm negatives were reintegrated with paper materials in this collection and assigned identification tags 319(III):1 through 319(III):50. The duplicate prints were maintained with the numbers #74-99 through #74-148.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1
319(III)1 or 74-99: Military Camp
1970
2/1
319(III)2 or 74-100: Helicopter in hazy sky
1970
2/1
319(III)3 or 74-101: FSB (Fire Support Base) Rakkasan - NW of Hue. A CH54 flying crane, flying in a 105mm Howitzer. Most firebases had one or two batteries of 105 Howitzers, generally 6 guns per battery. Some fire bases had a battery of 155 mm guns also. Rakkasan had two batteries of 105 mm. Since all (except two) firebases in our area of operations were accessable only by air, the guns were always flown in either by this flying crane or the Chinook helicopter, genereally the latter
1970
2/1
319(III)4 or 74-102: Fred Edwards and LZ team coming in
1970
2/1
319 (III)5 or 74-103: Squally pad
1970
2/1
319(III)6 or 74-104: This sign was a personal project
1970
2/1
319(III)7 or 74-105: C-130 at Phu Bai
 1970
2/1
319(III)8 or 74-106: C-130 Workhorse of Viet Nam. This was taken at Phu Bai, just out of hue, as I was leaving the country - DEROSing (DEROS, date of estimated return from overseas)
1970
2/1
319(III)9 or 74-107: Rest and money staging point at Da Nang
1970
2/1
319(III)10 or 74-108: MRS-100 8 cubic yard scrapper. I had three of these altogether while with the equipment platoon at Camp Eagle
1970
2/1
319(III)11 or 74-109: 3/4 ton dump truck, no other unit in the entire army has them. Air droppable one, thank God
1970
2/1
319(III)12 or 74-110: Famous B-20 my private limousine
1970
2/1
319(III)13 or 74-111: B Company recreation
1970
2/1
319(III)14 or 74-112: Camp Evans after a rocket hit the mess hall of the aviation unit in the background one evening, killing two and wounding several
1970
2/1
319(III)15 or 74-113: Camp Evans, Sunday afternoon recreation, mandatory of course
1970
2/1
319(III)16 or 74-114: [Building a mess hall bunker] "Just about ready for the dozer"
 1970
2/1
319(III)17 or 74-115: [Building a mess hall bunker] "Had to backfill evenly. C Co. (not ours) backfilled a 10 foot by 20 foot mess hall bunker one side at a time. It was leaning severly before they decided they better start back filling the other side. They used it through, despite biterr complaints from the cooks who could hardly hang things from the walls
 1970
2/1
319(III)18 or 74-116: On site bunker construction
 1970
2/1
319(III)19 or 74-117: Capt. Hell supervising
 1970
2/1
319(III)20 or 74-118: [On site bunker construction--negative only, no original image description]
 1970
2/1
319(III)21 or 74-119: Supports are generally 8 inches by 8 inches side and roof planks are 3 inches by 12 inches. Most of this lumber was shipped in from foreign countries, including the United States
 1970
2/1
319(III)22 or 74-120: [A helicopter in the air with carrying a load.] "Meanwhile back at the ranch."
 1970
2/1
319(III)23 or 74-121: 8 foot by 12 foot bunker headed for Rakassan. It will be placed in preapred pit, sided up, and buried
 1970
2/1
319(III)24 or 74-122: Hooking out bunker built at Camp Evans headed for Fire Station Base Rakassan. We sent out three different sizes: 10 foot by 24 foot, messhalls TOCs; 8 foot by 12 foot, squad size hutch; 6 foot by 8 foot, 3 to 4 man bunker
 1970
2/1
319(III)25 or 74-123: Purfume river at Hue
 1970
2/1
319(III)26 or 74-124: Perfume river at Hue
 1970
2/1
319(III)27 or 74-125: Streets of Hue
1970
2/1
319(III)28 or 74-126: View form the back of an army ambulence in Hue
1970
2/1
319(III)29 or 74-127: Vietnamese taxi
1970
2/1
319(III)30 or 74-128: Vietnamese taxi
1970
2/1
319(III)31 or 74-129: Hue
1970
2/1
319(III)32 or 74-130: Rice paddy north of Hue during the flood of November 1970
1970
2/1
319(III)33 or 74-131: The parachute was supposed to help the aerodynamics, but it never inflated. There was too much draft from the Chinook
1970
2/1
319(III)34 or 74-132: Wreck at Squally Pad, Camp Evans
1970
2/1
319(III)35 or 74-133: Chinook lifting out a wrecked Huey at Camp Evans
1970
2/1
319(III)36 or 74-134: This Heuy had justed picked up an LZ crew when a blade struck the tower at left as it was lifting off about 5 o'clock one morning. No one was injured, but a piece of the blade went through three walls of building before spending itself
1970
2/1
319(III)37 or 74-135: This dirt burn was constructed as a wall around this FSB. They are emplacing a drainage culvert here
1970
2/1
319(III)38 or 74-136: D-8 caterpillar. The only one in the division. We weren't authorized one as theywere not airmobile, but my platoon sergeant had scrounged this one all the way from . . .
1970
2/1
319(III)39 or 74-137: Refugees in flood during November 1970. Many refused our rescue efforts, choosing instead to stayon the roofs of their houses which were inundated. Their tenacity was remarkabe
1970
2/1
319(III)40 or 74-138: B Company, 326 Engr. Bn., 101st Airborne Division. Lieutenant Ted Helminski, Lieutenant Sal Malquernero, Captian Ben Heil, Lieutenant Dave Cogley, Lieutenant Fred Edwards; Camp Evans
Summer, 1970
2/1
319(III)41 or 74-139: David Cogley, extreme right, A moment of leisure at Camp Eagle, 101st HQ near Hue
1970
2/1
319(III)42 or 74-140: Motor pool sergeants. Note the upright half-culvert. These are the urinals. Half barrels are inserted in a hole in the ground as receptacles, then diesel fuel poured in each day after use and ignited, to dispose of the residue. Same thing for fecal material
1970
2/1
319(III)43 or 74-141: Lieutenant Salvatore Malguernero's sleeping area. Mosquito nets were mandatory
1970
2/1
319(III)44 or 74-142: Case M450 very versatile fire base construction unit. Is flouwn out to FSB in one piece without disassembly. This is FSB Gladiator , west of Cam Evans
1970
2/1
319(III)45 or 74-143: 50 alibre machine gun, 4 barres. FSB Gladiator looking towrd FSB ripcord to west
1970
2/1
319(III)46 or 74-144: Resupply bird
1970
2/1
319(III)47 or 74-145: Resupply bird on Gladiator. Usually came in every other day or so with water, food, ammunition, replacement, but most important, MAIL. Note the LZ is ourside our main wire (perimeter), but insed a secondary perimeter. We had to mine sweep it each morning prior to use
1970
2/1
319(III)48 or 74-146: Typical buncer 6 ft by 8 ft, buildt at Camp Evans and flown out. Three or four people bunked per bunker. This photo looking west from Gladiator
 1970
2/1
319(III)49 or 74-147: FSB Gladiator, one battery of 105 mm Howitzers on top of a hill
1970
2/1
319(III)50 or 74-148: FSB Gladiator command post TOC (tactical operation center) looking southwest toward FSB Granite on top of mountain at center of picture
1970

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Veteran--Montana -- Clancy
  • Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Engineering and construction
  • Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
  • Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Veterans--Montana--Clancy

Corporate Names

  • United States. Army -- Officers
  • United States. Army. Airborne Division, 101st
  • United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Engineer Battalion, 326th

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Reminiscences
  • Scrapbooks

Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Rusk
2001

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West