Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Reynaldo Puente Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Cold War
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 1st Firing Platoon, Delta Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment
- Location of Service: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Lawton, Oklahoma; Germany
- Highest Rank: E-4
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/85195
Reynaldo Puente may not have served in direct combat, but his duties as a nuclear missile crewman put him on the front lines of the Cold War. With the knowledge that a nuclear strike would cause unparalleled death and destruction around the world, the mental stress of serving on combat alert status left a lifelong impact. After years of suffering anxiety and sleepless nights, he was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his experiences. Nevertheless, Puente says if he could do it all again, he would answer the call to serve his country.
Reynaldo Puente Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayDelaying joining the Army at his father's request; enlistment with his parents' blessing; job assignment. 00:11:18.0 - 00:13:48.0
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PlayTraining; assignment in Germany; only Hispanic soldier in his unit; arming nuclear missile; letter to his sister describing what to do in the event of his death. 00:17:47.0 - 00:25:18.0
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PlayPotential pre-emptive nuclear strike; nightmares; does not regret service. 00:25:30.0 - 00:29:51.0
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PlaySuffering anxiety, sleepless nights, financial trouble; PTSD diagnosis; family support; difficulty getting help from the VA. 01:02:06.0 - 01:10:24.0
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About this Item
Title
- Reynaldo Puente Collection
Names
- Garcia, Noemi
- Shorak, B.J.
- National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
- Puente, Reynaldo
Home State
- Texas
Headings
- - Puente, Reynaldo
- - Cold War -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Hispanic
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Cold War
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 1st Firing Platoon, Delta Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment
- Location of Service: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Lawton, Oklahoma; Germany
- Highest Rank: E-4
- Dates of Service: 1973-1975
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served as a Pershing Missile Crewman (Azimuth Laying Specialist).
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2011-09-24)
- Manuscript: Civilian papers (certificates, forms, wills, etc) [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2008-04-11)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2004-05-27)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [1 item] -- Handwritten document (collected 1973-10-25)
- Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1973-1975)
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2007-06-01)
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1973-10-25)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2011-10-19)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [1 item] -- Photograph (collected 1974-10-24)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/85195
Cite as
- Reynaldo Puente Collection (AFC/2001/001/85195), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text