Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Matthew Niendorf.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
David J. Harrer Letters, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Acc. 2014.220 was received by Special Collections in January 2015.
Administrative History:
David J. Harrer was born around 1945. He was from Sacramento and graduated from Sacramento State College. He joined the army in the 1960's and had a secretarial job in Vietnam. After the war, he moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where he worked for printers.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 70 letters sent by David J. Harrer of the 1st Signal Battalion to his mother, Mrs. Josephine S.Kerr, in Sacremento, California. There is one letter from 1964, possibly sent while Harrer was a Sacramento State College. The majority of the letters were sent beginning in 1969 when Harrer was training at Ft. Lewis in Washington, and continue through his time in the Army, during which he served in Vietnam and traveled extensively around Asia, including Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. Upon returning to the United States, Harrer established himself in Appleton, Wisconsin at a printing press. The letters concern regular updates on day-to-day activities and talk of his travels.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Cold War--1960-1970
- Letters (correspondence)
- Photographs
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 1
Letters, 1964English.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 2 id279960
Letters1969 May-JuneScope and Contents
These letters are mostly addressed from Fort Lewis to Sacremento, California. Harrer writes about the bad food at camp, his car, and the men in his platoon.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 3 id279965
Letters1969 July-AugustScope and Contents
These letters are addressed from Fort Lewis to Sacramento. Harrer writes about the moon landing, the desire for civilian cloths, and his visits to sites in British Columbia and Washington. Also included is a Fort Lewis postcard and a military pay voucher.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 4 id279970
Letters1969 September-November
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5 id279975
Letters1970 March-AprilScope and Contents
These letters are mostly addressed from South Vietnam. Harrer details his flight to Vietnam and his initial thoughts about the county. He talks about the weather in Vietnam and the scenery. Also included is a photo, presumably of David, and life insurance papers.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 6 id279980
Letters1970 May-JuneScope and Contents
These letters also addressed from South Vietnam. Harrer writes about his duties in the Army, his current dislike of Ronald Reagan, and his travels into South Vietnam.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 7 id279985
Letters1970 July-SeptemberScope and Contents
These letters are also addresed from South Vietnam. In the letters, Harrer argues with his Mother over whether the war is worthwhile or not. He notes the generation gap between those who fought in World War II and those fighting in Vietnam. He also details his plans for after the war and his trip to Japan.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 8 id279990
Letters1970 October-NovemberScope and Contents
In these letters, Hareer writes about a trip to Vung Tau, travels through South Vietnam, and the black market in Vietnam. He also is worried about his mother's health. Harrer also details how he liked his recent trip to Bangkok.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 9 id279995
Letters1970 DecemberScope and Contents
In these letters, Harrer writes about his hunt for a job after the war, his promotion, and his emotions about Christmas away from home.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 10 id280000
Letters1971 JanuaryScope and Contents
Harrer asks his Mom to send items to South Vietnam and writes about his job hunt.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 11 id280084
Letters1971 FebruaryScope and Contents
Harrer writes about his mother's teaching job. He also gets upset with her for participating in the USO. He talks about the logistics of coming home, his excitement to return to the States, and his job opportunities.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 12 id281802
Letters1971 JuneScope and Contents
Hareer writes about his new job and life in Wisconsin. He talks about the population of the town, Neenah, his job trainging, and his finances. He also details trips to Ontario and Michigan. He asks his mother about her job and his grandmother. Also included are four photographs, three of David and one street scene.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 13 id280086
Letters1972Scope and Contents
These letters are from Menasha and Appleton, Wisconsin. Harrer writes about his adjustment to civilian life in a new place.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 14 id280088
LettersundatedScope and Contents
These undated letters include Harrer's thought about his job hunt. Also included are Chevron advertisements.