Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Ronald E. Dzierzynski Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Military Intelligence
- Location of Service: Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Holabird, Maryland; Vietnam
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/91320
Writing to his family first from his stateside training and then from Vietnam, First Lieutenant Ronald Dzierzynski's letters home narrate his experiences as a young military intelligence officer trying hard to do his best--no matter the circumstances--and make his parents proud. While in country, he served as a Provincial Area Intelligence Representative, or PAIR, working to coordinate and train local intelligence agents. His correspondence with his family helped to see him through the highs and lows of his time in Vietnam. As he said in his oral history interview, "You lived for that day when you get the mail. Somebody said you've got mail, and it was like, it made your day. Somebody remembered you."
Interview / Recording
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PlayEnjoying basic training; deciding to go to Officer Candidate School; wanting to become a leader. 00:07:06.4 - 00:10:54.0
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PlayPlane flight to Vietnam; understanding that he was relieving a fellow soldier; realizing that death could come at any time, despite feeling relatively safe. 00:50:59.4 - 00:54:26.0
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PlayPosted to a base about an hour south of Saigon; serving as a Provincial Area Intelligence Representative (PAIR); putting together a training program for local intelligence agents. 00:54:26.9 - 00:55:59.2
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PlayThe first Christmas he ever spent away from home; receiving packages from his parents; hosting Christmas party with food that had been sent; listening to a recording of his parents singing "I'll be home for Christmas." 00:55:59.3 - 01:00:16.0
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PlayVolunteering for a mission in a hamlet; seeing people shot; surreal experience; earning Vietnamese Intelligence Medal. 01:22:32.0 - 01:16:30.0
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PlayHas no regrets about serving; becoming very political; seeing and experiencing things first-hand; becoming a pacifist. 01:18:54.0 - 01:19:46.0
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PlayThoughts during his last days in Vietnam; coming home; feeling disoriented and different; not wanting to talk to people about his experiences; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 01:24:30.0 - 01:28:15.0
More Resources
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About this Item
Title
- Ronald E. Dzierzynski Collection
Names
- Dzierzynski, Ronald E.
- American Red Cross, Greater Long Beach Chapter
- Farrar, Mike
- Wong, Janice
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Dzierzynski, Ronald E.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Military Intelligence
- Location of Service: Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Holabird, Maryland; Vietnam
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1966-1969
- Entrance into Service: Commissioned
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2013-07-18; 2013-07-18)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [55 items] -- Handwritten document (collected 1966-1969)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/91320
Cite as
- Ronald E. Dzierzynski Collection (AFC/2001/001/91320), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video