Knerem, Ralph E. (Vietnam War toilet paper letters), 1967-1969

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Summary

Title:

Ralph E. Knerem Vietnam War toilet paper letters

Dates:

1967-1969

Creators:

Knerem, Ralph

Abstract:

This collection contains two letters written by Ralph Knerem, USA to his mother during the Vietnam War. Both letters were written on toilet paper.

Containers:

document-box: Signature Letters

Extent:

0.025 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Ralph E. Knerem Vietnam War toilet paper letters (2016.016.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains two letters written by Ralph E. Knerem, USA to his mother during the Vietnam War. Both letters were written on toilet paper and his rank at the time is unknown.

Knerem served in Vietnam with the 8th Maintenance Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade. The letters detail some of his experiences, including losing a friend to a head wound and subsequently getting drunk with his friend Guy "Franchy" Normandeau; professing to his mother, "you know me mom I don't drink." He continues, "Know this mom, my body is numb. I don't care about anything over here, seems like noone does."

Biographical / historical:

Sergeant First Class Ralph E. Knerem, United States Army (10/19/1943 - 11/6/2020) was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Lyle and Edith Knerem of Native American heritage. One of seven children, including Bill, Richard, Keith, Keary, and sisters Marie and Nancy, he served in the Army from 1967-1967 during which time he completed three tours of service in Vietnam, later serving three additional tours as a reservist through 1973.

Knerem drove convoy trucks and worked utility lines while in service and experienced combat next to his brother Richard. According to his obituary (https://www.ferfoliafuneralhomes.com/obituary/Ralph-E-Knerem) "he loved his Native American roots and would attend pow-wows and adorn his fashion with the Native American spirit."

Ralph passed away at the age of 77 and was buried with military honors in Twinsburg, Ohio in November 2020.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Ralph E. Knerem. Legacy.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Correspondence
Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Vietnam.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Andrew Harman
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-08-17 15:40:34 -0400 .

Access and use

Restrictions:: This collection is open for research.
Terms of access:: There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.