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

Seiple, Robert to All "I'm about 100 miles south of Dewitt"

On Leave with future wife, Margaret to N.J. then to Iowa; announce engagement with wedding plans in Pensacola, Florida. On Leave with future wife, Margaret to N.J. then to Iowa; announce engagement with wedding plans in Pensacola, Florida. 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 all "I guess I'm not writing enough, but you know, the war has become a little bit routine."

"we are doing the same things that we were doing 5 months ago, the objectives are still clouded, the end along, long way in the future." "we are doing the same things that we were doing 5 months ago, the objectives are still clouded, the end along, long way in the future." 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 All "Heard from Christine"

training at Quantico; flunked air test; Heard from Margaret…"Maybe I'll marry her." training at Quantico; flunked air test; Heard from Margaret…"Maybe I'll marry her." 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 All "Happy September"

"I have 263 missions now." "I have 263 missions now." 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 All "Greetings from Okinawa."

"I really envy the guys on there way home. Thirteen months seems forever now." "I really envy the guys on there way home. Thirteen months seems forever now." 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 all "Greetings from a real short-timer."

"I will be leaving this place of the eternal summer on the 3rd of November." "Guess what. I got a Distinguish Flying Cross!""...It's been a wonderful year though, like I've said many times, and I'll have experiences that will last a lifetime." "I will be leaving this place of the eternal summer on the 3rd of November." "Guess what. I got a Distinguish Flying Cross!""...It's been a wonderful year though, like I've said many times, and I'll have experiences that will last a lifetime." 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 All "First of all - thank you for all those pictures…"

"Hell, they are keeping a lot of news from you people back home. They keep a lot from us too…" Written on United States Armed Forces - Vietnam Stationery which has a map image of North Vietnam, South Vietnam with cities, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. "Hell, they are keeping a lot of news from you people back home. They keep a lot from us too…" Written on United States Armed Forces - Vietnam Stationery which has a map image of North Vietnam, South Vietnam with cities, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. 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 All "Everything is working out fine" [POSTCARD Aloha from Hawaii]

Postcard from Honolulu "Great connections" "Be in Okinawa in 9 hours" signed Bomb[er] Bobby Postcard from Honolulu "Great connections" "Be in Okinawa in 9 hours" signed Bomb[er] Bobby 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 All "Enclosed find check for insurance."

Arrives in Pensacola for pilot training from Iowa. Arrives in Pensacola for pilot training from Iowa. 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 All "Boy am I ever writing letters from home."

"won't go into all the details since I plan to make a tape." description of N. Vietnam fortifications. "won't go into all the details since I plan to make a tape." description of N. Vietnam fortifications. 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 All "Almost the end of a big week."

training at Quantico; passed Navigation flight exam and Naval flight physical; "I can take any physical stuff…Psychologically the place gets me down at times." training at Quantico; passed Navigation flight exam and Naval flight physical; "I can take any physical stuff…Psychologically the place gets me down at times." 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 all "#4 Reel-to-reel narration" Listed as MIA two nights ago, Bob Hope USO show

December 1967 Listed as MIA, numerous SAM warnings, Tally Ho Hops to N.V.N., Bob Hope USO Christmas Show DaNang [wasn't that good] 35 m away from Miss World, 50m away from Bob Hope. December 1967 Listed as MIA, numerous SAM warnings, Tally Ho Hops to N.V.N., Bob Hope USO Christmas Show DaNang [wasn't that good] 35 m away from Miss World, 50m away from Bob Hope. 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 all "#1 Reel-to-reel narration of experiences" Second roommate killed.

"Bombardier Bobby"; Tape mentions popcorn maker, his brother Bill's friends and his 2nd roommate killed. In Seiple's oral history in 2011 he notes that he lost 2 roommates in the first three weeks in Vietnam, the last was pilot he knew since his times in Florida. Deeply affected by this death. "Bombardier Bobby"; Tape mentions popcorn maker, his brother Bill's friends and his 2nd roommate killed. In Seiple's oral history in 2011 he notes that he lost 2 roommates in the first three weeks in Vietnam, the last was pilot he knew since his times in Florida. Deeply affected by this death. 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 All 'Well, this little boondoggle to Japan has been good for me."

In Japan. Chance to act as a civilian. Called M.A. "great hearing her voice". Learned Lang Vei S.F. camp was overrun. "thought it was impenetrable" "Some of the tactical decisions that go on over here make me sick." In Japan. Chance to act as a civilian. Called M.A. "great hearing her voice". Learned Lang Vei S.F. camp was overrun. "thought it was impenetrable" "Some of the tactical decisions that go on over here make me sick." 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/)

Script of U.S. Joint POW-MIA Committee presenting John B. Sherman's artifacts to John Rowan, VVA National President

Describes the history of the relationship of the North Vietnamese Veteran, Nguyen Y Chi, to John B. Sherman's artifacts. Describes the history of the relationship of the North Vietnamese Veteran, Nguyen Y Chi, to John B. Sherman's artifacts. 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/)

Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney, retired, wearing his flight jacket with squadron patches in front of a C-124 aircr...

Hal Chorney's description reads: "The third picture is only a few years old. I have my flight jacket with squadon [sic] patches on." Hal Chorney's description reads: "The third picture is only a few years old. I have my flight jacket with squadon [sic] patches on." 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/)

Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney getting his rank pinned on by his ex-wife.

Hal Chorney's description reads: "One is from getting my rank pinned on by my ex-wife at Brown back in 1992 [sic - should probably be 1962]. Felix Czech also got pinned on the same day. Felx and I were both in AFROTC together. I was a witness for his U.S. naturalization. The French government was trying to draft Felix into the army to go to Algeria in the early 60's. In the 70's I ran across Felix in France--had not seen him in years. He was stationed at Everoux AFB outside of Paris, and I had flown on a MATS mission into Chateau Reux AFB outside of Deoles France." Hal Chorney's description reads: "One is from getting my rank pinned on by my ex-wife at Brown back in 1992 [sic - should probably be 1962]. Felix Czech also got pinned on the same day. Felx and I were both in AFROTC together. I was a witness for his U.S. naturalization. The French government was trying to draft Felix into the army to go to Algeria in the early 60's. In the 70's I ran across Felix in France--had not seen him in years. He was stationed at Everoux AFB outside of Paris, and I had flown on a MATS mission into Chateau Reux AFB outside of Deoles France." 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/)

Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney at summer camp at Lochborne AFB in Ohio.

Hal Chorney's description reads: "Another picture is from summer cmap at Lochborne AFB in Ohio when I flew in an F4-C." Hal Chorney's description reads: "Another picture is from summer cmap at Lochborne AFB in Ohio when I flew in an F4-C." 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/)

Scanned photograph of Hal and others at Lochborne AFB in Ohio or Waco.

Hal Chorney's description reads: "Another picture is from summer camp at Lochborne AFB in Ohio when I flew in an F4-C." Photograph is subtitled "C-124 Aircraft." Hal Chorney's description reads: "Another picture is from summer camp at Lochborne AFB in Ohio when I flew in an F4-C." Photograph is subtitled "C-124 Aircraft." 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/)

Sam Hi Village, Vietnam [photo 15]

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/)

Rice merchant [in Sam Hi Village] [photo 21]

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/)

Program from Memorial Service at MAG-11 Chapel, Da Nang, Vietnam for Jerry Zimmer and Alfred Graf

Also lists: Commanding Officer MAG-11 Col. N.E. Heffernan, USMC; Commanding Officer VMFA-542 Lt. Col. K.A. Smith USMC;Group Chaplain Lt. J.A. Bruggeman, USN; Chaplain Lt. R.K. Joseph; and Organist LCpl. M. Upton, USMC. Also lists: Commanding Officer MAG-11 Col. N.E. Heffernan, USMC; Commanding Officer VMFA-542 Lt. Col. K.A. Smith USMC;Group Chaplain Lt. J.A. Bruggeman, USN; Chaplain Lt. R.K. Joseph; and Organist LCpl. M. Upton, USMC. 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/)

POW Network file on John B. Sherman -- history

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/)