Vietnam Veterans Archive

The Vietnam Veterans Archive is a collection of oral histories, documents, photographs, memorabilia, and letters from veterans or family members. The project was initiated by David Taylor '66 and Beth Taylor, co-director of Brown’s Nonfiction Writing Program, to capture the stories of Brown University alumni who served in the military during the Vietnam War.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

Items in this collection

United States Marine Corps to Robert Allen Seiple

Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Ugly Night Club Act - members of the United States Marine Corps Squadron HMM-362 putting on a show, Ky Ha, Vietnam

Aircrew members of HMM-362 putting on a show for crewmates with their torsos bear, painted with faces and their arms up in giant top hats covering their heads. Caption under photo: "Actually an even better act than it apears to be. Somehow the performers were able to make the cigarettes in their navels actually puff. In Special Edition #5, Ron Fix describes this scene. Mike Carely who was killed 670227 is at extreme right. Only other known performer was Smokey Norton but I am not sure which torso was his and who any others were. Please identify yourselves. Photo by Joel Vignere." Aircrew members of HMM-362 putting on a show for crewmates with their torsos bear, painted with faces and their arms up in giant top hats covering their heads. Caption under photo: "Actually an even better act than it apears to be. Somehow the performers were able to make the cigarettes in their navels actually puff. In Special Edition #5, Ron Fix describes this scene. Mike Carely who was killed 670227 is at extreme right. Only other known performer was Smokey Norton but I am not sure which torso was his and who any others were. Please identify yourselves. Photo by Joel Vignere." Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

U.S. Marine Corps Patch - MK4 GUNNPODDER [C. Schulz's ] Snoopy flying an MK Gunpodder "Happiness is V.C. in the open"

Biographical/Historical note: Mk 4 Mod 0 : Developed by the US Navy, this pod is fitted with the Mk 11 Mod 5 20 mm cannon, along with 750 rounds of ammunition.[20] This pod is said to have been used on a variety of US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft including the A-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom II, A-7 Corsair II, and OV-10 Bronco.[1] Approximately 1200 Mk 4 Gun Pods were manufactured by Hughes Tool Company, later Hughes Helicopter, in Culver City, California. While the system was tested and certified for use on the A-4, the A-6, the A-7, the F-4, and the OV-10, it only saw extended use on the A-4, the F-4, and the OV-10. Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Treating infant with large tumor [photo 30]

Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

The Separation of Church and Hate by Robert Seiple,

Printed speech given by Robert Seiple, President, Council for America's First Freedom; former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Given at the World Congress, 2006. Printed in Fides et libertades ISSN: 1940-6924 No. 2007, 2007 pages 112-119. Printed speech given by Robert Seiple, President, Council for America's First Freedom; former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Given at the World Congress, 2006. Printed in Fides et libertades ISSN: 1940-6924 No. 2007, 2007 pages 112-119. Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Squadron Cap of Jerry A. Zimmer, "Zim", Da Nang 69-70, VMFA 542

Inscribed with VMFA-542, "Zim". Inscribed with VMFA-542, "Zim". Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Silk vendor [in Sam Hi Village] [photo 20]

Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Sikorsky HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant Rescue Mission

"Live footage of a 53 in action on recovery of pilot downed. Taken several years after I was in VietNam. This was of an Air Force aircraft. They decided that the 53 was such an effective helicopter the bought them and specialized the aircraft for pilot recovery, calling it an HH-53 rather than CH-53. They renamed it "Super Jolly" (Green Giant). The plane was designed for and by the Marine Corps originally. You can see why I loved it so much and why you could never go back. Or maybe you could go back? I did not. Enough adrenalin for a lifetime in 20 minutes." David [describing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ATcN-Wgz1U] "Live footage of a 53 in action on recovery of pilot downed. Taken several years after I was in VietNam. This was of an Air Force aircraft. They decided that the 53 was such an effective helicopter the bought them and specialized the aircraft for pilot recovery, calling it an HH-53 rather than CH-53. They renamed it "Super Jolly" (Green Giant). The plane was designed for and by the Marine Corps originally. You can see why I loved it so much and why you could never go back. Or maybe you could go back? I did not. Enough adrenalin for a lifetime in 20 minutes." David [describing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ATcN-Wgz1U] Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Seiple, Robert to Well hello, "I promised to write and fill you in on Khe Sahn"

description of attack on base and Da Nang; Hill 881; up to 87 flights description of attack on base and Da Nang; Hill 881; up to 87 flights Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Seiple, Robert to Folks, (and the girls), "Greetings once more from the war zone.

"no rocket attacks in the last 4 days" "A week from today I'll be in Japan." "no rocket attacks in the last 4 days" "A week from today I'll be in Japan." Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Seiple, Robert to Folks, "First let me thank everyone home there for all the goodies you sent."

"Well all you armchair politicians, what do you think about Johnson now? "still flying TH's in the first 60 miles of NVN." Squadron only flying 10 hops a day …[with] 18 crews to fly them. This means a lot of free time,.." Refers to March 31, 1968 -- President Lyndon Johnson delivers his Address to the Nation announcing steps to limit the war in Vietnam and reporting his decision not to seek reelection. The speech announces the first in a series of limitations on US bombing, promising to halt these activities above the 20th parallel. "Well all you armchair politicians, what do you think about Johnson now? "still flying TH's in the first 60 miles of NVN." Squadron only flying 10 hops a day …[with] 18 crews to fly them. This means a lot of free time,.." Refers to March 31, 1968 -- President Lyndon Johnson delivers his Address to the Nation announcing steps to limit the war in Vietnam and reporting his decision not to seek reelection. The speech announces the first in a series of limitations on US bombing, promising to halt these activities above the 20th parallel. Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Seiple, Robert to Folks and Little Sisters "Looks like another long letter coming up…"

describes bombing run in North Vietnam --"an enjoyable hop and a productive one." Flying with pilot Satch Schedel. flew 97th mission and got 8th Air Medal last week. Issues between U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. "So much of this war is political i describes bombing run in North Vietnam --"an enjoyable hop and a productive one." Flying with pilot Satch Schedel. flew 97th mission and got 8th Air Medal last week. Issues between U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. "So much of this war is political i Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Seiple, Robert to Folks "Well, I've gotten most of my letter writing and thank you's all caught up"

Basic training officer; Naval Air Training Operating Standardization NATOPS; mediocrity in unit; "Short-timer" in the Marine Corps. Basic training officer; Naval Air Training Operating Standardization NATOPS; mediocrity in unit; "Short-timer" in the Marine Corps. Digital object made available by : Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts , Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)