Personal Narrative 3D Object Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording William Maxwell Barner, III Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: E-5
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/89316
When he arrived at basic training after being drafted into the Army, one of the first things William Maxwell Barner heard from his drill sergeants was, "you're going to Vietnam and you're going to die." As he says, he "wasn't interested in either one of those." Though he survived a year in Vietnam serving in a Howitzer Battery, he did not return home unharmed. Following his service, Barner was unable to control his anger and had difficulty keeping a job. Almost 40 years after his discharge, he was finally diagnosed with PTSD. Though he resisted at first, he eventually accepted the diagnosis and went on to help fellow veterans seek help from the VA.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayShipping out to Vietnam; assignment to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; training for new duties; friendly fire incident. 00:20:28.0 - 00:27:33.0
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PlayReading his diary for the first time in 2009; letters home; thoughts on local people; disconnected from the human cost of war. 00:38:39.0 - 00:43:44.0
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PlayNowhere to go when off duty; feeling guilty that he had better food and living conditions than other troops; accepting that his actions benefited others. 00:50:52.0 - 00:54:26.0
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PlayEnemy used a rocket attack to identify their location; returning fire after fellow soldiers were injured; destroying a village. 01:01:47.0 - 01:05:24.0
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PlayAdjusting to life at home; returning to school; having trouble managing anger, keeping a job; beginning a career in real estate business and committing to helping people; seeking help at the VA; understanding PTSD. 01:18:02.0 - 01:37:08.0
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About this Item
Title
- William Maxwell Barner, III Collection
Names
- Barner III, William Maxwell
- Shorak, B.J.
- National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
- Showers, James A.
Home State
- Texas
Headings
- - Barner III, William Maxwell
- - 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
-
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: E-5
- Dates of Service: 1966-1968
- Entrance into Service: Drafted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Artifact: Artifact [9 items] -- (collected 1966-1968)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [13 items] -- Photograph (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Clippings [11 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [85 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1965-1970)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [84 items] -- Handwritten document (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [31 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1966-1969)
- Manuscript: Mixed (Multiple types of manuscripts) [ item] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Periodicals [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1969-02-08)
- Manuscript: Printed matter [10 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Unit histories [1 item] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Maps [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Mixed (Multiple types of manuscripts) [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2012)
- Manuscript: Diaries and journals [1 item] -- Handwritten document (collected 1966-1968)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2013-02-20)
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1966-1968)
- Audio: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2012-10-02; 2012-10-02)
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2012-10-02; 2012-10-02)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2010)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1968-04-24)
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2010)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/89316
Cite as
- William Maxwell Barner, III Collection (AFC/2001/001/89316), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video