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Martin L. Kaufman Collection

 Collection
Identifier: CA031-90

Scope and Content

This collection contains biographical information, ephemera, charts, memoranda, contracts, correspondence, and manuals created and/or collected by Martin L. Kaufman during his time with Air America. The Martin L. Kaufman Collection is housed in one manuscript box totaling 0.4 linear ft.

The collection arrived in good condition and was initially processed with only a container list as description. Due to a change of the content management system, further description proved to be necessary. The archivist identified four series, with the first series being the Personal Series. Material included is a short biography of Colonel Martin L. Kaufman, a memorandum typed by Martin L. Kaufman detailing sources of funds for facilities and equipment assigned to the Air America, Inc.-operated government facility in Udorn, Thailand, a copy of a letter left by China Post One at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial signed by Martin L. Kaufman, a typed letter by Martin L. Kaufman describing an item he donated to the archive and other items he plans to donate, a copy of a clipping detailing Air America, Inc. assets during peak years, a copy of a Newsweek article detailing how the Central Intelligence Agency creates proprietary companies to carry out and cover up clandestine operations, and a copy of a clipping detailing the sale of Air Asia Ltd. To E-Systems Inc. of Dallas.

The second series is the Air America, Inc. Series which is further organized into three subseries: 1. Background Information on Air America, Inc., 2. Air America Contracts, and 3. James E. Spencer Report.

Subseries 1. Contains a memorandum that details the Air America, Inc. structure in Laos, by department and function, shows the number of employees, and presents an analysis of the economic expenditures of the company to the Lao economy.

Subseries 2. Consists of Air America, Inc. contracts for death benefit claims, Southeast Asia (SEA) Special Projects contract FO4605-0002, price negotiation memorandum, Air Force contract FO4606-71-C-0002 FY72, contract AF62(531)-1674, July 1, 1961, contract AF62(531)-1683, April 10, 1962, contract AF62(531)-1758, April 10, 1962, and contract AF62(531)-1841, July 1, 1965, and SEA contract consolidation papers.

Subseries 3. Contains an “End of Tour” report by Contracting Officer James E. Spencer detailing his time with the Air Force contract program.

The third series is the Pacific Corporation Series containing “The Pacific Corporation and Subsidiaries: Description of Organization, Facilities, and Operations" by Dixon Spears Associates, 1973, prospectus provided to American aerospace companies and a Pacific Corporation summary of Air America, Inc. flying and support service contracts.

The fourth series is the Air Weather Service Series containing “Air Weather Service in Southeast Asia, 1961-1976: A Pictorial Account” by Margaret C. Faulbaum, 1979, and "Keith R. Grimes, Special Operations Weatherman: An Oral Autobiography” edited by John F. Fuller, 1978.

Dates

  • 1961 - 1990
  • Majority of material found within 1962 - 1972

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

Materials in this collection are open for research.

Literary Rights Statement

Permission to publish material from this collection in any form, current or future, must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.

Biographical Sketch

Martin L. Kaufman was born July 24, 1939 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from The University of Colorado in 1962, and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1968. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and attended Air Force Officers Training School, graduated the Education with Industry Program in 1974, and the Air War College in 1983.

While with the Air Force, Colonel Kaufman worked on contracting and systems acquisition with the Air Force Logistics Command, the Air Force Systems Command, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He was responsible for managing Air Force contracts executed by Air America. He has 5 1/2 years of assignments involving Southeast Asia Special Projects and 7 years on the Air Force Space Program.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with nine Campaign Stars. He was promoted to Colonel in 1982 and assumed a National Security Agency assignment in 1986.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (One manuscript box.)

Abstract

Colonel Martin L. Kaufman served as the Air Force Liaison Officer with Air America in Southeast Asia. His files represent the activities undertaken by Air America, Inc. on behalf of the U.S. Air Force in Southeast Asia.

Series Description

The Martin L. Kaufman Collection is arranged in four series:

Series I. Personal 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), 1974-1990.

Arranged by topic.

Series II. Air America, Inc. 0.1 linear ft. (ten folders), 1961-1974.

Arranged in 3 subseries: 1., 2. and 3.

Subseries 1. Air America, Inc. Structure 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), 1973.

Arranged by topic.

Subseries 2. Air America, Inc. Contracts 0.16 linear ft. (eight folders), 1961-1972.

Arranged by topic.

Subseries 3. James E. Spencer Report 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), 1974.

Arranged by topic.

Series III. Pacific Corporation 0.1 linear ft. (two folders), 1973.

Arranged by topic.

Series IV. Air Weather Service 0.12 linear ft. (two folders), 1961-1976.

Arranged by topic.

Provenance Statement

The Martin L. Kaufman Collection was donated to the History of Aviation Archives, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas, by Martin L. Kaufman on 1990-07-09.

Existence and Location of Copies

The entire collection was digitized and copies are on the cloud server.

Additional Sources

Additional information can be found in the History of Aviation Archives in the following collections: CAT/Air America Collection.

Note to the Researcher

Materials were refoldered and reboxed. Entire collection was scanned and uploaded to Box.

Material Removed List

0.1 linear ft. (six items) of duplicate biographies and calling cards were deaccessioned and sent to surplus.

Image ID

It is the researcher's responsibility to secure permission from copyright holders of materials to which this institution does not own copyright.

Images in this collection are identified by a unique number that provides information about the format, record group, collection, series, box, folder, and image numbers. Please use this number when ordering reproductions of images from this collection.

Record Group Code

01 = CAT/Air American Archives

02 = Doolittle Archives

03 = Lighter than Air Archives

04 = George H. Williams, Jr., World War I Aviation Library

05 = History of Aviation Archives

06 = University Archives

07 = HAC Stacks

08 = WPRL Stacks

09 = Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Collection

10 = Belsterling Collection

11 = Closed Stacks

12 = Unidentified

13 = Chance Vought Archives

14 = Twirly Birds Archives

Image Format Code

P = Photograph/Postcard

S = Slide

N = Negative

T = Positive Transparency

B = Black and White

C = Color

Example: 01MLK-B01-F01-PB001

01 = CAT/Air American Archives

MLK = Martin L. Kaufman Collection

B01 = Box Number

F01 = Folder Number

P = Photograph/Postcard

B = Black and White

001 = Image Number

Title
Guide to the Martin L. Kaufman Collection, 1939-
Status
Completed
Author
Patrizia Nava, CA
Date
2018-05-23
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English (eng)
Edition statement
First revision by Patrizia Nava, CA. 2018-05-23. Second revision by Patrizia Nava, CA. 2019-08-26. Third revision by Ryan Cannon, MLIS. 2023-06-14.

Revision Statements

  • 2018-05-23: 1st revision was a migration to ArchivesSpace by Patrizia Nava, CA.
  • 2019-08-26: 2nd revision was an update of the collection number by Patrizia, Nava, CA.
  • 2023-06-15: 3rd revision was a reprocessing of the entire collection with new arrangement and description by Ryan Cannon, MLIS.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Division, History of Aviation Archives. Repository

Contact:
3020 Waterview Pkwy
SP2
Suite 11.206
Richardson Texas 75080 US
972-883-2570