Allen Cates Collection

Note:  This collection is physically located at The Vietnam Archive at TTU.

     Allen Cates joined the United States Marine Corps in the summer of 1961.  He completed the Marine Aviation Cadet program and, as a Naval Aviator, was designated a Naval helicopter pilot.  In 1964, his squadron was sent to Okinawa and then to Vietnam, where he completed his first tour in Vietnam in 1965.  He was sent to MAG 36 and then to Pensacola as a flight instructor in the T-28 teaching formation flying.  He resigned his commission (rank of Captain) in 1966 and accepted employment with Air America.  From 1967 through May of 1969, he operated in Saigon.  For the first six months, he co-piloted C47s and then moved up to Captain in the Pilatus Porter for the next two years.  Mr. Cates then transferred to the rotary wing division and was transferred to Udorn, Thailand, where he remained flying primarily in Laos, from June 1969 until the war in Laos ended in May 1974. During that time he flew the H-34, Bell Huey, S-58T, and had a brief stint in the H-500P where he received training at Edwards AFB with some sophisticated night flying equipment. After leaving Air America he accepted employment in Taiwan flying a S-58T. After returning to the United States in May 1975, he accepted a position as a corporate pilot with a oil field service company until 1981 and then started Setac Chemical Corporation.  This collection contain information from Mr. Cates military career and information on Air America.

 

Box 1

 

Folder 1

“Voucher for Reimbursement for Travel”, July 11, 1963

“Group Special Order Number ….118-63”, June 18, 1963

Paper showing “First Endorsement”, June 24, 1963; “Second Endorsement”, June 28,1963;  and “Third Endorsement”, June 28, 1963.

“Group Special Order Number 139-63”, July 9, 1963 (4 Copies)

“Wing Special Order Number… 110-65”, June 21, 1965

“First Endorsement on CG 1stMAW FMFPac SO#110-65”, Aug 24, 1965

“Memorandum Endorsement”, Oct 1, 1965

“Memorandum Endorsement: Permanent Change of Station Orders”, Sept 4, 1965

“Memo Endorsement”, Oct 1, 1965

“Endorsement on: Permanent Change of Station”, Oct 1, 1965 (2 Copies)

“Memo Endorsement”, Oct 1, 1965

“Group Special Order Number … 229-63”, Oct 2, 1963

“Designation as Naval Aviator, No. T-8173”, Dec 21, 1962

“Temporary Promotion”, Dec 16, 1963

“Second Endorsement on CMC 1tr DHA-ccb of 16 Dec 1963”, Dec 31, 1963

“First Endorsement on CMC 1tr DHA-ccb of 16 Dec 1963”, Dec 24, 1963

“Third Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7A/rko of 10 March 1965”, April 8, 1965

“First Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7A/rko of 10 Mar 1965”, Mar 17, 1965; and “Second Endorsement”, Mar 27, 1965

“Third Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7A/rko of 10 March 1965”, April 8, 1965.  Has gold star attached in top left hand corner

“First Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7A/rko of 10 Mar 1965”, Mar 22, 1965 and “Second Endorsement”, Mar 30, 1965

“Award of Gold Star in lieu of a second Award”, Mar 10, 1965

“Third Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7A/lko of Mar 30 1965”, May 4, 1965

“Award of Gold Star in lieu of a third Award”, Mar 30, 1965

“First Endorsement of CG, FMFPac 1tr 7A/rko 1650 of 30 Apr 1965”, May 12, 1965; “Second Endorsement”, Man 30, 1965; “Third Endorsement”; Has gold star attached in top left hand corner

“Award of Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Air Medal”, April 30, 1965

“First Endorsement on CG, FMFPac 1tr of 19 Apr 1965”, May 21, 1965; “Second Endorsement”, June 3, 1965; “Third Endorsement”

“Award of Gold Star in lieu of a fifty Award”

“First Endorsement on CG, FMFPac 1tr of 22 Apr 1965”, May 21, 1965; “Second Endorsement”, June 3, 1965; “Third Endorsement”

“Award of Silver Star in Lieu of a sixth Award”, April 22, 1965

“Award of the gold star in lieu of a seventh Air Medal”, June 5, 1965

“Third Endorsement on CG, Headquarters, US Army Combat Developments Experimentation Center, Fort Ord, California 1tr of 21May63”, June 21, 1963 and “Fourth Endorsement”, July 11, 1963

“First Endorsement on CG, FMFPac 1tr of 5 Jun 1965”, June 15, 1965; “Second Endorsement”; and “Third Endorsement”

“First Endorsement on CG, FMFPac 1tr of 3 Jul 1965”, Jul 20, 1965; “Second Endorsement”, July 27, 1965; and “Third Endorsement”, July 29, 1965

“Award of the gold star in lieu of an eighth Air Medal”, July 3, 1965

“Second Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7D/MTST 1650 of 26Oct65”, Nov 19, 1965

“Third Endorsement on CG, FMFPac1tr 7D/mtst 1650 of 26Oct65”, Nov 29, 1965 and “Fourth Endorsement”

“Second Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7D/mtst 1650 of 26Oct65”, Nov 19, 1965

“Award of the gold star in lieu of a ninth Air Medal”, Oct 26, 1965

“Second Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7D/mtst 1650 of 26Oct65”, Nov 19, 1965

“Award of the gold star in lieu of a tenth Air Medal”, Oct 26, 1965

“Third Endorsement on CG, FMFPac 1tr 7D/mtst 1650 of 26Oct65”, Nov 29, 1965 and “Fourth Endorsement” (2 Copies)

“Second Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7D/mtst 1650 of 26Oct65”, 19 Nov 1965

“Award of Silver star in lieu of a eleventh Air Medal”, Oct 26, 1965

“First Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7D/mtstof 14Jan66”, January 18, 1966 and “Second Endorsement”, Feb 1, 1966

“Award of a gold star in lieu of the twelfth Air Medal”, Jan 1, 1966

“Award of a gold star in lieu of the thirteenth Air Medal”, Jan 14, 1966

“First Endorsement on CG FMFPac 1tr 7D/mtst 1650 of 14Jan66”, Jan 18, 1966; and “Second Endorsement”, Feb 1, 1966

“Award of Distinguished Flying Cross”, Dec 13, 1965

“Presentation of award(s); case of Capt Allen E. Cates 086090 USMC”, Apr 21, 1966

“First Endorsement on CG, FMFPac 1tr 7D/all 1650 of 13Dec65”, April 25, 1966 and “Second Endorsement”, May 2, 1966

“Group Special Order Number … 92-63”, May 13, 1963 (5 Copies)

Correspondence to A.E. Cates from Lee S. Johnson

“Officer Leadership Training Course(Part B); completion of”, Jan 27, 1966 and “First Endorsement”, Jan 31, 1966

“Second Endorsement on CMC1tr DMA-ssd of 25 Aug 1965”, 31 Aug 1965; “Third Endorsement”, Oct 14, 1965; “Fourth Endorsement”, Oct 20, 1965; “Fifth Endorsement”, Oct 21, 1965

“Discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve”, Aug 25, 1965; “First Endorsement”, Aug 30, 1965

“Second Endorsement on CMC 1tr DMA-ssd of 25 Aug 1965”, Aug 31, 1965; “Third Endorsement”, Oct 20, 1965; “Fifth Endorsement”, Oct 21, 1965

“Discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve”, Aug 25, 1965 and “First Endorsement”, Aug 30, 1965

“Second Endorsement on CMC 1tr DHA-elc of 13 July 1965”, Oct 4, 1965 and “Third Endorsement”, Oct 4, 1965 (2 Copies)

“First Endorsement on CMC 1tr DHA-elc dtd 13Jul65”, Oct 1, 1965

“Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America”, July 6, 1965

Subject: Legal Handbook, July 23, 1967

Form Letter Draft

“Appendix I: Full Disclosure and Standards of Fairness, Part I – Standards of Fairness”

“Part II – Full Disclosure”

“Part III – Certificate of Compliance”

“Second Endorsement on CMC 1tr AUG-Perm DPH: jec of 21 June 1965”, July 5, 1965

“First Endorsement on CMC 1tr AUG-PERM DPH-jec of 21 Jun 1965”, June 26, 1965

“Permanent appointment to commissioned grade in the US Marine Corps; case of 1stLT Allen E. Cates 086090 USMCR”, June 21, 1965

Folder 2

Correspondence to J. H. Minet and Co. LTD from A.E. Cates, June 19, 1974

Correspondence to Capt. A.E. Cates from J.H. Minet and Co. LTD, July 17, 1974

Correspondence to American International Life Assurance Co. of New York from A.E. Cates, June 29, 1974

Correspondence to J. H. Minet and Co. Ltd from James S.Y. Cheng, Oct 18, 1974

“Loss of Flying Licence Insurance Certificate No. 39/4255”, July 16, 1973

Memorandum “Loss of License Insurance Policy”, Jan 17, 1974

Correspondence to Captain Allen E. Cates from James S.Y. Cheng, Nov 7, 1974

Correspondence to Air Asia Company Ltd. from J. H. Minet and Co. Ltd.

“Loss of Flying Licence Insurance, Certificate No. /4255”, May 1, 1974

 “Third Endorsement on Hq MCRDep SDIEGO DSO 2150-60 of 3Oct60”, Nov 7, 1960.

“First Endorsement on Hq MCRDep SDIEGO DSO indicated opposite your name”, Oct 29, 1960

“Depot Special Order Transfer Number ….2150-60”, Oct 3, 1960 (9 Copies)

“First Endorsement on Hq MCRDep SDIEGO DSC indicated opposite your name”, Oct 29, 1960 (8 Copies)

“Third Endorsement on Hq MCRDep SDIEGO DSO 2150-60 of 3Oct60”, Nov 7, 1960 (6 Copies)

“Second Endorsement on Investigative Report of First Lieutenant Allen E. Cates, USMC of 20 Jan 1966”

“Voucher for Reimbursement For Travel”, Apr 24, 1964

Envelope with Disbursing Officer stamped on front

“Third Endorsement on Hq MCRDep SDIEGO DSO 2150-60 of 3Oct60”, Nov 7, 1960

“Temporary additional duty; orders to”, Sept 3, 1964 (8 Copies)

“Voucher for Reimbursement for Travel”, Sept 19, 1963

“Group Special Order Number ….188-63”, Aug 30, 1963

“Memorandum Endorsement”, Sept 6, 1963 and “Second Endorsement”, Sept 7, 1963

“First Endorsement”, Sept 3, 1963

“Instrument Rating Request”, April 5, 1965

Folder 3

 “Hughes Model 500P Transition Handout”

Folder 4

Certificate appointing Allen Edward Cates a Private First Class, Oct 1, 1960

Certificate “US Naval School, Pre-Flight”, Sept 29, 1961

Certificate for first unassisted take off and return to US NAAS Saufley Field, Pensacola, FL, Dec 5, 1961

“Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge”July 7, 1960

Document certifying Allen Edward Cates as a naval Aviator, Dec 21, 1962

“Designation as Navy Helicopter Pilot”, Dec 21, 1962

“Honorable Discharge” Certificate, Dec 20, 1962

“Letter of Appreciation”, May 21, 1963

Certificate for course completion for Introduction to Personnel Administration, 01.1, Nov 4, 1963

“Temporary Appointment”, Dec 16, 1963

Certificate for completion in Military Justice and Administrative Matters, April 10, 1964

Document citing the presentation of the Air Medal to Allen E. Cates

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a second Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a third Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a fifth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Silver Star in lieu of a sixth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a seventh Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of an eighth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a ninth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a tenth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Silver Star in lieu of an eleventh Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a twelfth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Gold Star in lieu of a thirteenth Air Medal

Document citing the presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross

“Helicopter Rescue Award”, Nov 11, 1964

“Flight Instructor’s Indoctrination Group”, Dec 17, 1965

“Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association”

Photo with caption “Cheyenne Pilot Transition School” and pictured left to right are Don R. Lilly, Marland Johnson, William Nikkel, Keith Weems, Ken E. Hoffman, Allen E. Cates, Alice Fuchs, Donald Bundy

Correspondence to Allen E. Cates from D. Stevenson, Aug 3, 1977

Document citing the presentation of the Air Medal (First through Thirteenth Strike/Flight Awards)

Correspondence to Capt H.R. Casterlin; Capt F.N. Smith; Capt A.E. Cates; Capt T. Woozley; First Officer M. Disoum; First Officer K. Vogprasert; Flight Mechanic S.D. Waite via MTS, CFM; Flight Mechanic M.A. Leveriza via MTS, CFM; Flight Mechanic F.O. Ortillo via MTS, CFM

Memorandum to Capt. A.E.Cates from VPFO J.W. Walker, Jr., June 29,1971

Correspondence to Captain Timothy N. Castle from Allen E. Cates, March 16, 1988

Correspondence to Captain Allen E. Cates from Captain Timothy N. Castle, March 23, 1988

Memorandum about Captain A.E. Cates, June 2, 1969

Office Memorandum about Use of H-34s on VIP trip, Jan 25, 1971

Inner-Office Routing Slip to Capt. Cates, A.E. from John D. Ford, Jan 28, 1971

Correspondence to C. Abadle from John W. MacQueen, January 26, 1971

“Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America”, Oct 23, 1973 (2 Copies)

“First Endorsement on CMC 1tr MMSR-5-IVS1/gbr dtd 23Oct73

“Discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve”, Oct 23, 1973 (2 Copies)

Envelope addressed to “Commanding Officer”

“Reserve Retirement Credit Report (Reservist/CMC Copy)”, July 7, 1960

Folder 5

“Marine Corps Liaison Unit Memorandum Endorsement” (2 Copies)

“Wing  Special Order Number …..110-65”, June 21, 1965 (17 Copies)

“First Endorsement on CG 1st MAW FMFPac So # 110-65”, Aug 24, 1965(27 Copies)

“Memorandum Endorsement”, Oct 1, 1965

“Memo Endorsement”, Oct 1, 1965

“Temporary Additional Duty; Orders to; Confirmation of”, Sept 14, 1964 (9 Copies)

“First Endorsement on CMC 1tr DFH-ibs-5 of 16 Oct 62”, Dec 21, 1962 (11 Copies)

“Permanent Change of Station”, Oct 16, 1962” (11 Copies)

Permanent change of Station papers

“Voucher for Reimbursement for Travel”, Jan 25, 1963

“Permanent Change Of Station”, Oct 16, 1962

Permanent Change of Station Orders”, Dec 21, 1962

“Third Endorsement”, Jan 18, 1963

“Fourth Endorsement”, Jan 18, 1963

“Fifth Endorsement on CMC 1tr DFH-ibs-5 of 160ct62”, Jan 18, 1963

“Third Endorsement”, Jan 18, 1963 (3 Copies)

“Temporary Additional Duty; Group travel orders”, Apr 26, 1963 (3 Copies)

“Third Endorsement on CMC 1tr DPH:cjr of 20 Feb 1963”, March 7, 63 and “Fourth Endorsement”, April 2, 1963

“Second Endorsement on CMC 1tr DPH:cjr of 20 Feb 1963”, Mar 6, 1963

“Correction of date of Rank assigned”, Feb 20, 1963

“First Endorsement on CMC 1tr DPH;cjr dtd 20 Feb 63”, Feb 26, 1963

“Wing Special Order Number ….. 235-65”, Oct 18, 1965 (5 Copies)

“First Endorsement on HQ 3dMAW SO 235-65 of 18Oct65”, Oct 21, 1965 (9 Copies)

“Assignment Instruction”, Nov 9, 1965

“The Picture that Touches the World
 

Folder 6

Blue book with “HMM 365, 1964-65” written on the front

Folder 7

Black “Senior Pilot Log” April 4, 1971 to December 30, 1979

Folder 8

Black “Steele’s Pilot Log” March 7, 1973 to April 11, 1973

Folder 9

Navy Blue “Aviators Flight Log Book”, Oct 25, 1961 to Feb 28, 1966

Folder 10

Navy Blue “Aviators Flight Log Book”, March 1, 1966 to March 31, 1971

Folder 11

Green Flight Log, March 1971 – February 1974

Folder 12

Air America Club Yearbook 1984

Folder 13

Periodical Articles 1985-1999

Folder 14

Minutes of Board Meetings Air America Club 1985-1994

Folder 15

Minutes of Board Meetings Air America Club 1994-1998

Folder 16

Minutes of Board Meetings Air America Club 1998-2001

Folder 17

Oral History Allen Cates Perpetual Motion Air America June 9, 1999

Folder 18

Assorted Manuscripts

  1. Marc Yablonka
  2. Bart J. Crotty “Crotty’s Security Blanket, Where Did It Go?”
  3. Marius Burke, Jr. Capt. “Vietnam Report-Saigon Evacuation”

Folder 19

Manuscript Terry Love “Air America”

Folder 20

Correspondence undated and 1986-Oct 1996

Folder 21

Correspondence Nov 1996-May 1997

Folder 22

Correspondence June 1997-1999

Folder 23

Correspondence 2000-2001

Folder 24

Misc.

Folder 25

Newsletters Air America Log 1970, 1996

Folder 26

Manuscript “Air America Myth and Reality” The George W. Jalonick III and Dorothy Cockerell Jalonick Memorial Distinguished Lecture at The University of Texas at Dallas 1 February 1992 by Dr. William M. Leary University of Georgia. With Southeast Asia Briefing Map indicating Place Names referred to in lecture.

 

 

Oversized

The Whiting Tower, Vol. 22, No. 45, May 13, 1966

Stars and Stripes, Vol. 31, No. 120, May 1, 1975.  Headline “IT’S OVER”

Stars and Stripes, Vol. 31, No. 119, April 30, 1975.  Headline “VC Launch Attack on Tan Son Nhut”

Certificate as First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, June 16, 1965

Certificate appointing Allen E. Cates a First Lieutenant in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps, Oct 26, 1966

Certificate appointing Allen E. Cates as Second Lieutenant in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps, Feb 21, 1963

“Bang Hoa Tieu Quan Su”, Jan 9, 1965

        Artifacts

        Two pins, one silver inscribed “Air America” and one gold (Naval Aviation Wings), both in a navy blue
        box.

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        Currency

        10 Dong Note

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        Photograph Collection

        Picture with inscription on back “2/LT. Allen E. Cates USMCR, receiving his wings from CAPT. W.G.
   
     Stearns Jr. Commanding Officer of HT-8 Ellyson Field”, Jan 1, 1963

        Picture of Platoon 163 US Marine Corps, San Diego 1960

        Picture of 16 planes in a diamond formation

        3 photos, Lima Site 20A

 

        Video Collection

        #406 - “Air America Interviews, Allen Cates, May 1999”, VHS

        #407 - “Air America: The CIA’s Secret Airline”, VHS

        #408 - “Birds of a Feather: Air America, TRT=51:59”, VHS