Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Robert G. Geisler, Jr. Collection
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:
- Highest Rank: Corporal
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/76576
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.
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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:
- 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