Born in Abbeville, Louisiana, Putnam received a Bachelor of Science degree from Spring Hill College in 1934 and a Bachelor of Laws from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1937.
He was a United States Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World War II, from 1942 to 1945.
He was district attorney of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Louisiana from 1948 to 1954.
[1] Putnam was nominated by President John F. Kennedy on September 5, 1961, to the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, to a new seat created by 75 Stat.
He assumed senior status due to a certified disability on December 19, 1975.