• THE VIETNAM CENTER AND ARCHIVE
  • Texas Tech University

 Finding Aid: Charles Anderson Collection Item Number: 13380000000

Individual Collection
Location: D103.3A; D103.2; Photograph Collection; Slide Collection; Periodical Collection; Audio Collection; Library; Museum Collection; Map Collection; Poster Collection; Newsletter Collection


Scope & Content:

  • Correspondence, certificates, pamphlets, newspapers, original and photocopied articles, original artwork, books, newsletters, periodicals, maps, artifacts, slides, and photographs document Charles Anderson's service with the US Marine Corps in Vietnam and his subsequent career with the Center for Military History.

Biographical Note:

  • Charles R. Anderson served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in the Da Nang area in 1969. After the war, Anderson published two books: 'The Grunts' and 'Vietnam: The Other War'. Anderson also worked as an historian for the Center of Military History where he wrote twelve chapters of The Middle Years, which is one of the volumes of the US Army's official history of the Vietnam War.

Access Level:

  • Unrestricted

Collection Inventory:

LocationBoxFolderContents
D103.311
Correspondence from Anderson to Greg Vandergriff regarding the Bronze Star Medal (3.11.97)
Correspondence from Greg Vandergriff to Anderson regarding the Bronze Star Medal (2.18.97)
Photocopied letter from Vandergriff to Military Awards Branch (origianl document in Restricted Access File)
Photocopy of Purple Heart citation awarded to Greg Vandergriff (11.28.90)
Photocopied newspaper article from the Williamsport Sun Gazette (5.23.70): Navy Cross Awarded Posthumously Today
Photocopy of Monthly Personnel Roster: Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division (5.24.69)
Addresses of witnesses to Vandergriff action on May 25, 1969
Photocopy of a letter from Jimmie Thatcher to Military Award Branch describing Vandergriff action in Vietnam (12.3.96) (original in Restricted Access File)
Photocopy of a letter from William Bennett to Military Award Branch describing Vandergriff action in Vietnam (12.3.96) (original in Restricted Access File)
Photocopy of a letter from Larry Petitti to Military Award Branch describing Vandergriff action in Vietnam (12.10.96) (original in Restricted Access File)
Photocopy of a letter from Edwin Sell to Military Award Branch describing Vandergriff action in Vietnam (12.11.96) (original in Restricted Access File)
US Military Casualty Lists, Vietnam Era: nine Marines killed on May 25, 1969
US Military Casualty Lists, Vietnam Era: two Marines killed on June 1, 1969
US Military Casualty Lists, Vietnam Era: one Marine killed on June 2, 1969
US Military Casualty Lists, Vietnam Era: three Marines killed on August 28, 1969
US Military Casualty Lists, Vietnam Era: one Marine killed on December 5, 1969
Article about Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Reunions and Readers Assistance
Citation for Gerald H Sampson (Captain Sam)
Photocopy of after action report regarding Co. B (August 25 - 31, 1969)
Various printed images
2Veterans Day 1984 
National Salute II information
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission brochure
Information regarding the issuance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial $0.20 stamp
Vietnam Veterans Memorial brochure
Front Line (Vol. 2 Iss. 1) Summer/ Fall 1984
The Vietnam War Veterans Historical Society
Brief reviews of Bloods by Wallace Terry
The Vietnam Bookstore book list
A Call to Organize: Vietnam Veterans Peace Action Network
Stamp: Disabled American Veterans - Department of Michigan
Veternas of the Vietnam War, Inc. Newsletter (November 1984)
3
Original orders to Inactive Marine Corps Reserve (1971)
4
Articles and clippings about World War II veterans
5National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Information (November 10 - 14, 1982) 
National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Program Souvenir (November 10 - 14, 1982)
National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Unit Reunions / Registration form
Vietnam Veteran Memorial Mementos order form
National Salute to Vietnam Veterans itinerary / schedule of events
Information on how to get to Washington, DC
and a list of hotels
Mass letter describing progress on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from Jan Scruggs (no date)
Hand-written notes regarding Vietnam Veteran Memorial dedication ceremony
National Salute to Vietnam Veterans Candle light Vigil (November 10 - 12, 1982). List of readers
Various product order forms (books, medallions, statues)
Vietnam Veterans Against the War schedule of events at the National Salute to Vietnam Veterans (November 10 - 14, 1982)
A Doughboy's Memories by Joseph Ambrose
National Salute to Vietnam Veterans brochures (2 copies)
National Center for Amerasian Children brochure
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony program (November 13, 1982)
Vietnam Veterans Memorial brochure
6Correspondence 
Letters home from Anderson while in Vietnam (July 1968 - July 1969)
Air mail envelopes
Letters to Anderson (February 1968 - June 1970)
7
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Greg Vandergriff (1989 - 1997)
8
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Mike Rodriguez (1987 - 2000)
9
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Jack Pike (1990 - 1991)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Dennis Richardson (1998)
10
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Mike McKloskey (1969 - 2000)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and John Kasmiski (1989 - 1990)
11
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Bill Krueger and Larry Brimm and Dawn Abbott (1989 - 1990)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Richard Farley (2000)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Philip Caputo (1980)
12
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and James Webb (1979 - 1980)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Bruce Williams (1977 - 1980)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and Denny Jaszka (1980 - 1981)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and James Sloban (1979)
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and David Stamps of the Eligin, Illinois, Daily Courier News (1979)
13
Correspondence between Charles Anderson and other people regarding the locations of veterans, reunions, and other matters
14
Miscellaneous articles and other materials
15Correspondence from various organizations 
The Vet Center (1980, no date)
National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia (1982)
National Vietnam Veterans Review (1981)
Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund (1981 - 1982, no date)
Cornell University Libraries / Vietnam War Veterans History and Archives Center (1981 - 1982)
16
Miscellaneous articles and clippings
Presidential Proclamation 1979 - Jimmy Carter
Presidential Proclamation 1982 - Ronald Reagan
17
Why Vietnam. Extracts from Eisenhower letters
Kennedy letters
speeches, adresses, and statements
Iwo Jima: Uncommon Valor
United States Marines
Marines in the '60s
Fighting Third
Northern Marine
18
PS: The Preventative Maintenance Monthly (Issue 203, 1969 Series)
Professional Knowledge Gained From Operational Experience in Vietnam (March - April 1969)
Newsweek (November 22, 1982) Honoring Vietnam Veterans at Last and Remebering a War We Want to Forget (2 copies)
US News and World Report (April 28, 1980) Five Years Later: Have the Scars Healed
19
A Marine's Guide to the Republic of Vietnam (June 1, 1967)
A Marine's Guide to the Republic of Vietnam (September 20 1968)
20
The Battle for Khe Sanh by Captain Moyers S. Shore II, USMC. Published by the Historical Branch, USMC (1969)
21
Orders commissioning Charles Anderson as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps Reserve (January 1, 1968)
Orders commissioning Charles Anderson as a First Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps Reserve (April 1, 1969)
22Artwork 
Ned Broderick Illustrations
Joseph Fornelli print 'Going Home Early' and brochure
Short Time Girl (calendar for counting down and marking off the number of days left on a tour)
Short Time Flight from Okinawa (calendar for counting down and marking off the number of days left on a tour)
23In Touch materials 
Monthly Personnel Roster for Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, for May 1969
Correspondence with Friends of the Vietnam Veteran Memroial / In Touch (1993 - 1994)
In Touch applications
Name rubbing request form
Order form for Vietnam era music and folksongs
Hand-written notes
24
Articles and clippings about Vietnam Veteran struggles after the war
POW / MIAs
Vietnam war movies (many articles from English language Japanese publication such as the Japan Times)
25
Vietnam Veteran political activites
Vietnam War Newsletter information
Vietnam Booklists
26
Field journals kept by Anderson while in Vietnam
27
Handwritten notes by Anderson while in Vietnam
Pocket Guide to Okinawa (1964)
Handbook for US Forces in Vietnam (April 1967)
3rd Marine Division Combat Leaders Checklist
28
Company G Mess Night Program (April 17, 1968) Includes a handwritten list of known casualties from Company G compiled by Anderson
Company G Roster (July 1968)
The Marines' Hymn
Graduation Exercises: Seventh Basic Course of 1968 program (May 29, 1968) The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
Certificate of completion of The Basic Course awarded to Anderson (May 29, 1968)
Obituaries of soldiers killed in combat from the Washington Post (March 11, 1969)
Tiger Papa Three: A Memoir of the Combined Action Program by Major Edward Palm (from Marine Corps Gazette, January 1988)
A Survey of Firearms Literature by Lt.Col. T.L. Gatchel (from Marine Corps Gazette, August 1981)
Gunny, Put up the Flagpole by Lt.Col. T.L. Gatchel (from Marine Corps Gazette, February 1982)
Missing In America: The Hidden Minority of Vietnam Veterans (2 copies)
Delayed Stress and Vietnam Veterans
1st Training Conference Papers: Vietnam Veterans - Operation Outreach. St. Louis, Missouri (September 24 - 28, 1979)
Handwritten Marine Corps songs set to Christmas carols
Grunt's Songs
Grunt's Graffiti
Vietnam Journal # 1 (1981)
The Illinois Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program Presents: A Salute to America's Heroes Dinner (June 15, 1985) program (two copies, one is signed by General William Westmoreland)
Application for a Visa to the Republic of Vietnam (October 1969)
The New Vietnam Scholarship by Fox Butterfield (The New YorkTimes Magazine February 13, 1983)
Memorable Corps Quotations
Air mail envelopes
3d marine Division (Rein), FMF, Vietnam stationery
Third Marine Division Association, Inc. application form
Map of Arlington National Cemetary indicating the grave of Drew J. Bennett, III
29
Articles / clippings
30
Through the Wheat: A World War I Art Exhibit of the US Marine Corps Museum program
Marine Corps Historical Publications in Print (1978) book list
The Marine Corps as Seen Through Contemporaneous Art
Khe Sanh
Program for the Graduation Exercises for the Forty-Seventh Officer Candidates Course, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia (January 5, 1968)
Leatherneck Fire Team Phrasebook
Program for the Ryukyuan Folk Song and Dance from the August Moon Tea House at Naha, Okinawa
Instruction card for Spike Resistant Combat Boots
Charles Anderson's MACV ration cardMiscellaneous business cards
Strip of matriel bearing Anderson's name, rank, and unit
31
Far Eastern , European currency and a few Military Payment Certificates
Post cards
Enemy propoganda
Chieu Hoi leaflets
US Marine Corps transfers
Worried About Agent Orange? brochure
The Marine Corps Museum brochure
Vet Center brochures
Marine Corps Band concert program (July 28, 1980)
The Evening Parade brochure
Kansas City Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund brochure
Vietnam Veterans How to Start Your Own Business One Day Seminar brochure (November 6, 1980)
Correspondence from Emblem
Rally Against the Draft information and fliers
2 (Oversized)1Oversized Newspapers 
Sea Tiger: Third Marine Amphibioud Force, Vietnam (November 8, 1968)
Sea Tiger: Third Marine Amphibioud Force, Vietnam (March 7, 1969)
Sea Tiger: Third Marine Amphibioud Force, Vietnam (May 30, 1969)
Sea Tiger: Third Marine Amphibioud Force, Vietnam (June 20, 1969)
Sea Tiger: Third Marine Amphibioud Force, Vietnam (July 18, 1969) (2 copies)
Washington Post (November 12, 1982)
Washington Post (November 13, 1982)
Washington Post (November 14, 1982)
Pacific Stars and Stripes (November 8, 1968)
Pacific Stars and Stripes (July 6, 1969)
Pacific Stars and Stripes (July 13, 1969)
Pacific Stars and Stripes (July 21, 1969)
Pacific Stars and Stripes (July 26, 1969)
Pacific Stars and Stripes (January 1980)
Okinawa Morning Star (December 29, 1968)
Okinawa Morning Star (July 27, 1969)
New York Times (November 11, 1982)
Okinawa Marine (November 10, 1979) (2 copies)
The Veteran Experience (Nov / Dec 1982)
National Vietnam Veteran Review (October 1981)
Detroit News (November 11, 1982)
Milwaukee Journal Insight (June 28, 1981)
Singapore Striats Times (June 2, 1969)
The Ally (November 1968)
Oversized Newspaper excerpts 
Pacific Stars and Stripes (December 14, 1968) (Front page only)
Ann Arbor (Michigan) News (December 22, 1967) Shows a map of where units are placed throughout Vietnam
Chicago Tribune Magazine (September 14, 1969)
Chicago Tribune Magazine (October 17, 1971)
Chicago Tribune Magazine (February 1, 1981) Article about Major General Michael Healy
Chicago Sunday Times parade (June 29, 1980) Essay by Vice Admiral James Stockdale
Sunday: the Chicago Tribune Magazine (April 21, 1985) The Vietnam War: Honoring Its Dead, Cherishing Its Heroes
Detroit Free Press Parade (April 13, 1986) For This We Stand: Personal Reflections by William Westmoreland
Article from a Japanese publication
Parade Magazine (June 12, 1983) Article about Bo Gritz and his search for POW/MIAs
2
Correspondence to Anderson regarding articles for various Illinois newspapers
Contributions from Charles Anderson to the Chicago Daily News and the Daily Courier-News (Elgin, Illinois) (1971 - 1979)
3
Vietnam Combat Art
3 (Oversized)1
Glenn Angle photo albums (2 albums)

Separated Materials:

Books:The Bitter Heritage: Vietnam and American Democracy, 1941 - 1966 by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. (1967).
 Be Nice by Ken Melvin.
 Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic.
 Face of North Vietnam (1970).
 Fields of Fire by James Webb (1978) Copy signed by author.
 How to Live in Vietnam for Less than Ten Cents a Day by Ken Abood and Tony Ranfone (1967).
 I Protest! By David Douglas Duncan.
 The Khaki Mafia by Robin Moore (1971).
 Marine at War by Russell Davis (1961).
 Quotations - Vietnam: 1945 - 1970 compiled by William G. Effros (1970).
 Sorry 'Bout That: Cartoons, Limericks, and Other Diversions of GI Vietnam by Ken Melvin (1966).
 Tales of the Green Berets by Robin Moore (1965).
 Vietnam Crisis by Stephen Pan and Daniel Lyons.
 War Without Heroes by David Douglas Duncan.
Photographs:10 strips of negatives. 213 Photographs: VA036737 - 950.
Depicted are Camp Lejuene, USO, Operation Virginia Ridge and other Vietnam related topics., VA041496.
 VAN017083-VAN017119.
Slides:VAS044095-VAS044539.
Maps:Map Collection Section 12 Drawer 13 Folders 1 and 2.
 Quang Tri (6443 IV) (1:50,000).
 Cam Lo (6342 I) (1: 50,000) (2 maps).
 Nguon Rao (6342 III) (1:50,000) (2 maps).
 Dai Loc (6640 IV) (1:50,000) (2 maps).
 Thon Doc Kinh (6342 II) (1:50,000) (2 maps).
 Tra Bong (6739 IV) (1:50,000).
 Tam Ky (6640 II) (1:50,000).
 Ba Long (6442 III) (1:50,000).
 Huong Hoa (6342 III) (1:50,000).
 Sa Moi (6341 I) (1:50,000).
 Ha Shin Pe Nu (6341 IV) (1:50,000).
 Unidentied map.
 Da Nang (1:12,500).
 Da Nang (1:100,000).
 Approaches to New River Inlet, Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina (1:25,000).
 Vietnam and Asian Countries Maps (includes indexes and economic and topographic maps).
 Japanese map of Ryukyu - Okinawa.
Posters:Map Collection Section 12 Drawer 13 Folder 3.
 Suppose They Gave A War... And Nobody Came.
 Fly Far-Eastern Airways: This Vacation Visit Beautiful Vietnam.
Museum Objects:Painting by Ned Broderick: Lilith at Con Thien.
 Marine Corps "Mameluke" sword.
 Marine Corps ditty bag.
 Ground troop helmet liner.
 Shi - shi lions (2).
 Marine Corps blanket.
 Laundry bag.
 Footlocker.
 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States medal.
 Four medals: National Defense.
RVN Service.
RVN Gallantry Cross.
VN Campaign.
 Republic of Vietnam Service medal.
 National Defense medal.
 Vietnam Campaign medal.
 US Marine Corps Good Conduct medal.
 Ribbon bars (4 sets).
 Rifle Expert badge.
 Pistol Expert badge.
 Second Marine Division patch.
 Third Marine Division patch.
 Lieutenant bars (25 bars - 1st and 2nd Lt.).
 US Marine Corps emblem lapel pins (6 - black).
 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States lapel pins (2).
 Gold cufflinks (1 pair).
 Dog tags with P-38 can openers attached to chain.
 P-38 can opener.
 US Marine Corps emblem lapel pins (2 - silver and gold).
 US Marine Corps emblem hat pin.
 Belt buckles (3).
 Coat buttons (31).
 Tie clasp.
 CRA stamp with shi - shi lion.
 Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars ribbon and pin.
 Button - Fuck You Hanoi Jane.
 Button - National Salute to Vietnam Veterans.
 Button - Proud to Have Served My Country.
 Button - They Served With Honor - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
 Shrapnel from a Claymore mine.
 Cloth map pouch.
 Third Marine Division cloth.
 Camouflage helmet cover (contains graffiti).
 K Bar knife with sheath.
 K Bar knife.
 Lanyard.
 Flag holder with two US flags.
 Miniature US flags (5).
 Empty cigarette packages.
 Candleholder.
 Button - Westy's Warriors.
 South Vietnam flag.
 Buddhist flag.
 Mesh laundry bag.
 Third Marine Division pin.
 POW / MIA ribbon.
 Vietnamese napkins.
 Matches.
 North Vietnam stamps.
 US stamps.
 MACV currency control card.
 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund pin.
 Third Marine Division coaster.
 Anderson nametag.
 White handkerchiefs (2).
 US Marine Corps bumper stickers.
 Vietnam veteran bumper stickers.
 Rolling Thunder patch.
 Anderson's military IDs.
 Chinese pencil.
 Vietnam Veteran Memorial stamps.
 Plastic bag (National Salute to Vietnam Veterans).
 US Marine Corps wool pants.
 US Marine Corps camouflage shirt.
 Camouflage poncho liner.
Audio:Interview with Bernard Fall (January 1967).
Newsletters:Perimeter: National Vietnam Veterans Monthly Newsletter (Jan - Apr 1982).
 Vietnam Book Report Newsletter (Jan, Sept - Dec 1980, Jan - Feb 1981).
 Vietnam War Newsletter (March 1981 - February 1983).
Periodicals:National Vietnam Veterans Review Vol. 1 No. 3 (October 1981).
 Ramparts: Vietnam Primer.
 Time Magazine (June 20, 1969).
 Life (June 27, 1969).

Digitized Materials

Portions of this collection have been digitized. Use the links below to view these items.

Please note that all items may be available through these searches. Additionally, only up to 500 items will be displayed.

To search for items within this collection, or within all of the holdings of the Vietnam Archive, go to the Virtual Vietnam Archive

Share or Bookmark This Record
  • © Copyright The Vietnam Center and Archive, Office of International Affairs, Texas Tech University - All Rights Reserved