Terrence J. Finnegan Vietnam Memorial Bridge Collection
Scope and Contents
The Terrence J. Finnegan Vietnam Memorial Bridge Collection consists of documents dated 1981 to 1995, with the bulk falling from 1989 to 1995. Materials include papers, area plans, magazines, photographic negatives, videotapes, and brochures relating to the bridge and also to other topics of Finnegan's interest.
Dates
- 1981-1998
- Majority of material found within 1989-1995
Creator
- Finnegan, Terrence J. (Organization)
Restrictions on Access
Three folders are restricted due to the presence of personal financial documents.
Restrictions on Use
Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.
Biography
Terrence J. Finnegan graduated from Colorado State University (CSU) in 1974 with a degree in History. Following graduation, Finnegan enlisted as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force USAF). His first duty assignments included NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and Pacific Air Forces. Later assignments merged his military career with intelligence and his primary work was in intelligence which was complemented by a parallel career as a senior civil servant in the Department of Defense. While serving in London, Finnegan received his masters degree. He is now a retired Colonel in the USAF with over 40 years of service within the Department of Defense in a broad array of assignments across the globe.
Finnegan is also an author, utilizing his varied experience in his 2006 work Shooting the Front: Allied Aerial Reconnaissance and Photographic Interpretation on the Western Front: World War I. In 2015 he published A Delicate Affair on the Western Front: America Learns How to Fight a Modern War in the Woevre Trenches and has written several articles on the role of military intelligence and aviation in the First World War.
Terry Finnegan was the leader in the effort to erect the Vietnam Era Memorial Bridge at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Originally intended as a tribute to a fellow CSU alum, Bill Latch, the Memorial was expanded in concept to pay tribute to both Vietnam veterans, as exemplified by General Lewis Walt, and activists against the Vietnam War, including Latch, both alumni of CSU. The bridge was dedicated in 1992 and is the first Vietnam memorial in the United States to honor both the veterans of that era as well as those individuals who protested the government's policies.
Finnegan was married to Susan K. Finnegan, nee Schmidt, who passed away in 2019.
Extent
3.5 linear feet (1 record carton, 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Terrence "Terry" Finnegan was the leader in the effort to erect the Vietnam Era Memorial Bridge at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Originally intended as a tribute to a fellow CSU alum, Bill Latch, the Memorial was expanded in concept to pay tribute to both anti-war advocates and Vietnam veterans. The bridge was dedicated in 1992 and is the first Vietnam memorial in the United States to honor both the veterans of that era as well as those individuals who protested the government's policies. The collection consists of papers and area plans related to the construction and dedication of the bridge. Two video recordings of the dedication ceremony which took place on May 13, 1992 are available online.
Arrangement
The collection consists of 3 series in 1 record carton and 1 oversize folder:
Series 1: Papers, 1981-1998 and undated
Series 2: Area plans, undated
Series 3: Videotapes, 1992 May 13
Acquisition
The Terrence J. Finnegan Vietnam Memorial Bridge Collection was acquired from Terrence J. Finnegan in June and August 2021.
Processing
Processing was completed in August 2021. The collection arrived with documents grouped together in plastic sleeves. Materials were rehoused in archival folders reflecting the contents of each sleeve and rearranged alphabetically. Oversize area plans were flattened and placed in an oversize archival folder.
- Title
- Guide to the Terrence J. Finnegan Vietnam Memorial Bridge Collection
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Prepared by Victoria Lopez-Terrill
- Date
- Copyright 2021
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2021 September 7: Accrual of videotapes added.
Repository Details
Part of the CSU Libraries Archives & Special Collections Repository
Fort Collins Colorado 80523-1019 USA
970-491-1844
library_dl_specialcollections@mail.colostate.edu