Vietnam Era Letter

Source: William and Harry Whittaker Papers, East Carolina Manuscript Collection #1293

Staff Member: Nanette Hardison

Description: The image featured below is of a letter dated November 9, 1964 and is written by William “Billy” Whittaker to his parents, John and Barbara Theo Whittaker. The letter is among the papers by William and Harry Whittaker; two brothers who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam years (1964-1968). The collection, which consists of both letters and images, describe the activities of army life experienced by both William and Harry.

William Whittaker’s letter is notable for he writes about guard duty that he was assigned to do. It is also of particular interest that he makes mention of a friend being sent to the stockade. As he puts it, “…he just seemed to go all to pieces…” as a way to explain what happened to his friend.

This collection is definitely invaluable since we have only a few collections that give any insight on the Vietnam War era.  The William and Harry Whittaker Papers are definitely worth a look for any people who have an interest for this period in American history.