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Knerem, Ralph E. (Vietnam War toilet paper letters)
2016.016.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Ralph E. Knerem Vietnam War toilet paper letters
Creator:
Knerem, Ralph
Identifier/Call Number: 2016.016.w.r
Physical Description:
0.025 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1967-1969
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.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Signature Letters
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ralph E. Knerem. Legacy.
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.
[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.
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."
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Correspondence
Vietnam War (1961-1975) -- Vietnam.