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Robert Geisler in uniform, Vietnam [1967]

Veterans History Project Service Summary:

  • War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
  • Branch of Service: Marine Corps
  • Unit of Service: Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; Marine Corps Reserve
  • Location of Service: Phu Bai, Vietnam; Da Nang, Vietnam; Chu Lai, Vietnam; Camp Pendleton, California
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/76576

View full service history

"My buddies said that I shouldn't write and tell you what's going on in the field. I feel better telling you, because it sort of gets it all off my mind." (Letter to his family, 5/16/1967)

Writing to his parents from Vietnam in 1966 and 1967, Marine Corps Corporal Robert G. Geisler, Jr., offered up all of the brutal details of his combat experiences, describing the high incidence of booby traps, mines, and casualties, and the impact that witnessing such violence has on his state of mind. His correspondence gives the sense of a very young man (he was 19 when he departed for Vietnam) who coped with the horrors of war by sharing them with his family. Despite all that he sees in country, his commentary also hints at a spirit that remains hopeful, such as when he describes the camaraderie between members of his unit. Eight weeks before he was scheduled to leave Vietnam, he was seriously wounded while on patrol; though he never saw combat again, he survived, and returned home to his family.

[ Photo Album ]

More Resources

[ Order to report for induction [2/15/1966] ]
[ "Notice to registrants reporting for induction" ]
[ "Notice to registrants reporting for pre-induction examination" ]
[ Form letter and instructions for Marines' family members ]
[ Letter of Appreciation [10/1/1966] ]
[ Battalion special order number 306-67 [8/16/1967 ]

Show more resources (101)

[ Memo, liquidation of advance travel pays [6/7/1967] ]
[ Service discharge certificate and DD-214 [3/4/1969] ]
[ Certificate of promotion to rank of Lance Corporal [3/1/1967] ]
[ Certificate of promotion to rank of Corporal [7/1/1967] ]
[ Telegram informing Geisler's family of his wounding in action [6/30/1967] ]
[ Notice of Obligated Service, transferring Geisler to the Marine Corps Reserve ]
[ Honorable Discharge [2/15/1972] ]
[ Postcard informing Geisler of an inquiry concerning his pay [6/27/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [5/6/1966] ]
[ Letter to his mother from Robert Geisler [7/12/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/11/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/7/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/6/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/10/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/11/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/12/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/13/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/16/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/22/1966] ]
[ Letter to his parents from Robert Geisler [8/20/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/30/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/2/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/3/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/28/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/8/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/12/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/19/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/20/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/20/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [9/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/2/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/3/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/7/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler, with art work [10/8/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/9/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/18/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/22/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [10/27/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [11/1/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [11/2/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [11/3/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [11/14/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [11/24/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [12/4/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [12/10/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler, detailing an incident of "fragging" [12/15/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [12/17/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [12/29/1966] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [1/8/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [2/5/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [2/22/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler, with art work [3/16/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [4/21/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/2/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [2/14/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [3/1/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [3/7/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [3/21/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [4/5/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [4/17/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [4/25/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [5/4/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [5/16/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [5/18/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [5/28/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [6/3/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [6/8/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [6/14/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [6/1/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler, written from hospital after Geisler was wounded in combat [6/28/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/5/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/7/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/12/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/16/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/14/1967] ]
[ Joke letter to the family members of servicemen, with a note from Geisler on the reverse [1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/19/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/19/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/20/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/22/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/23/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/24/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler, written while inebriated [7/24/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler, apologizing for writing the previous letter while inebriated [4/25/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [7/29/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/6/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/17/1967] ]
[ Letter to his family from Robert Geisler [8/21/1967] ]
[ Letter from Geisler's friend, Denny, to Geisler's parents [2/24/1967] ]
[ Letter to Mrs. Geisler from Eddie [4/30/1967] ]
[ Letter to Mrs. Geisler from "White" [5/5/1967] ]
[ Letter to Mrs. Geisler from Eddie [5/25/1967] ]
[ Letter to Mrs. Geisler from Eddie [6/20/1967] ]
[ Letter to Mrs. Geisler from Eddie [7/15/1967] ]
[ Letter to Robert Geisler ["Creep"] from a buddy, Mike [8/31/1967] ]
[ Letter to Robert Geisler from a buddy, Bill [9/6/1967] ]
[ Military scrip, 5 cent note, included with letter of 8/7/1966 ]
[ Military scrip, 10 cent note, included with letter of 8/7/1966 ]
[ Receipt from Jimmy Chan, Hong Kong Tailor [7/20/1967] ]
[ Customs receipt [9/21/1967] ]

About this Item

Title

  • Robert G. Geisler, Jr. Collection

Names

  • Geisler Jr., Robert G.
  • Geisler, Linda

Home State

  • Pennsylvania

Headings

  • -  Geisler Jr., Robert G.
  • -  Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
  • -  United States. Marine Corps.

Repository

  • Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Gender

  • Male

Status

  • veteran

Service History

  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975

    • Branch of Service: Marine Corps
    • Unit of Service: Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; Marine Corps Reserve
    • Location of Service: Phu Bai, Vietnam; Da Nang, Vietnam; Chu Lai, Vietnam; Camp Pendleton, California
    • Highest Rank: Corporal
    • Dates of Service: 1966-1972
    • Military Status: veteran

Materials

  • Manuscript: Correspondence [88 items] -- Handwritten document (collected 1966-1967)
  • Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [15 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1947-1968)
  • Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 1967)
  • Photograph: Original photographic print [1 item] -- Photograph (collected 1969)

Collection Number

  • AFC/2001/001/76576

Cite as

  • Robert G. Geisler, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/76576), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Online Format

  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

Using VHP Material in Publication or Exhibition

The Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service. The Veterans History Project Collection includes oral histories along with documentary materials such as original letters, diaries, photographs, and memoirs.

Veterans and interviewers contribute these materials to the Library for scholarly and educational purposes, retaining any copyright they may hold. Therefore, permission must be obtained before using the interview or other materials in exhibition or publication. Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these materials should contact the Veterans History Project for assistance.

As a publicly supported institution, the Library generally does not own rights to material in its collections. Therefore, it does not charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot give or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material in its collections. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item from the Library’s collections and for securing any necessary permissions rests with persons desiring to use the item.

Please contact us with questions.

Obtaining Copies of VHP Materials

In order for VHP materials to be duplicated, we must receive written permission from the interviewee for you to obtain a copy of the recording unless the proposed use is limited to personal use, research, or other uses permissible by copyright law. If the interviewee is deceased, their next-of-kin may grant written permission.

Please contact VHP for assistance if you need to contact a veteran for permission to use their materials in exhibition or publication, or if you have received permission from the veteran and need access to high-resolution copies of VHP collection materials.

Citing VHP Materials

Please use the following formats when citing Veterans History Project materials (substituting the appropriate name and collection ID number).

Materials as a whole:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Manuscript material:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Memoirs (MS02), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Transcript (MS04), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Correspondence (MS01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Recording:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Audio recording (SR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Video recording (MV01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Photograph:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH01), photographer unknown, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH03-PH14), Ralph Williams photographer, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Computer file:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Computer file (CF01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Artifact:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Artifact (AR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Geisler Jr., Robert G, and Linda Geisler. Robert G. Geisler, Jr. Collection. 1966. Personal Narrative. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.76576/.

APA citation style:

Geisler Jr, R. G. & Geisler, L. (1966) Robert G. Geisler, Jr. Collection. [Personal Narrative] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.76576/.

MLA citation style:

Geisler Jr., Robert G, and Linda Geisler. Robert G. Geisler, Jr. Collection. 1966. Personal Narrative. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.76576/>.