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

Marine Squadron sticker

Marine Squadron sticker

Brown University

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/)

Maps of Southeast Asia, with detailed maps of Saigon and its surrounding area

Black and white copy of pages 838-[839] in an unidentified book of southeast Asia and Saigon and its region with industrial centers and military airfields identified. Maps produced by the National Geographic Society, Geographic Art Division. Saigon and its region maps are detailed. Page [839] includes handwritten directions describing where Ben Cat is. Also includes a reference to a New York Times map and a map on a tracing paper. New York Times map appears among the Newspaper clippings. The tracing was not included in the collection. An additional copy of the Saigon map appears in the family correspondence when Ross Fenton was trying to relate his experiences and location at [Camp] Red Ball during the Tet Offensive. Black and white copy of pages 838-[839] in an unidentified book of southeast Asia and Saigon and its region with industrial centers and military airfields identified. Maps produced by the National Geographic Society, Geographic Art Division. Saigon and its region maps are detailed. Page [839] includes handwritten directions describing where Ben Cat is. Also includes a reference to a New York Times map and a map on a tracing paper. New York Times map appears among the Newspaper clippings. The tracing was not included in the collection. An additional copy of the Saigon map appears in the family correspondence when Ross Fenton was trying to relate his experiences and location at [Camp] Red Ball during the Tet Offensive. 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/)

Map of Jerry Zimmer's corrected crash site coordinates (Photo J)

Created by Ron Davis (Elaine's second husband) Created by Ron Davis (Elaine's second husband) 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/)

Leather Flight Jacket of Jerry A. Zimmer [training?]; patch for LMFA 333, though he last flew with LMFA 542

Inscribed with 1st Lieutenant Jerry Zimmer. VMFA-333, though during his Vietnam tour he was in VFMA-542. Additional patches in pockets. Inscribed with 1st Lieutenant Jerry Zimmer. VMFA-333, though during his Vietnam tour he was in VFMA-542. Additional patches in pockets. 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/)

Larger [Vietnamese] fishing boat [photo 14]

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/)

Jungle boots, 1 pair worn by Barry F. Kowalski

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/)

John B. Sherman (Class of 1962) - Article in the Brown Alumni Monthly titled "Our First Loss in Viet Nam"

This article contains excerpts from a letter written by Lt. Kenneth B. Abel '54 CHC, USNR about the death of 1st Lt. John B. Sherman '62, USMC. Sherman was killed in Vietnam on March 25, 1966 when his plane was shot down by enemy fire during a bombing run. The Brown Alumni Office believed Sherman to be the first Brown alumnus to be killed during the Vietnam War. This article contains excerpts from a letter written by Lt. Kenneth B. Abel '54 CHC, USNR about the death of 1st Lt. John B. Sherman '62, USMC. Sherman was killed in Vietnam on March 25, 1966 when his plane was shot down by enemy fire during a bombing run. The Brown Alumni Office believed Sherman to be the first Brown alumnus to be killed during the Vietnam War.

Jerry Zimmer's Memorial Stone in Arlington Cemetery (Photo C)

Arlington, Virginia Arlington, Virginia 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/)

Jerry Zimmer with son Craig in front of F4 Phantom (Photo S)

Beaufort, South Carolina: Jerry's last duty station before Vietnam. Beaufort, South Carolina: Jerry's last duty station before Vietnam. 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/)

Interview with Robert A. Seiple (Class of 1965) - summary notes by Elizabeth Taylor

Hand written notes regarding interview with Seiple. Includes paper with Seiple's information: full name, current address, zip code, place of birth, how many children, present age, marital status, present profession, hobbies, professional, military, civic organizations affiliated with, home phone number. Hand written notes regarding interview with Seiple. Includes paper with Seiple's information: full name, current address, zip code, place of birth, how many children, present age, marital status, present profession, hobbies, professional, military, civic organizations affiliated with, home phone number. 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/)

Interview with Robert A. Seiple (Class of 1965) - edited transcription

Conducted by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor in the John Hay Library on May 9, 2011 Conducted by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor in the John Hay Library on May 9, 2011 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/)

Interview with Harold Chorney (edited transcription)

Conducted by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor in the John Hay Library on April 1, 2011 Edited by Hal Chorney, July 2011 Conducted by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor in the John Hay Library on April 1, 2011 Edited by Hal Chorney, July 2011 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/)

Interview with Elaine Zimmer Davis, widow of Jerry A. Zimmer (1966) - edited transcription

Interview with Elaine Zimmer Davis conducted in the John Hay Library by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor. Interview with Elaine Zimmer Davis conducted in the John Hay Library by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor. 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/)

Interview with David E. Taylor (1966) - Transcription

General note: A transcription with hand annotations by David Taylor is available in print only. 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/)