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Oliver, Verne Lee (Vietnam War-era correspondence)
2017.236.w.r
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Table of contents
box Vietnam 12, folder 1-4, folder 1-4
Series 1, Correspondence from Verne L. Oliver 1964 May 5 - 1967 January 22
Physical Description: .3 Linear Feet(4 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 65 letters and postcards that Verne Lee Oliver sent to his parents and siblings while in the United States
Navy during the Vietnam War-era. Oliver was a Communications Technician and was stationed in Europe during the war.
The letters discuss daily life and activities at the US Naval Training Center in San Diego and at the US Naval Communications
Trianing Center in Pensacola, Florida. After training, Verne was assigned to Edzell, Scotland. Oliver was later transferred
to Nicosia, Cyprus, where he was attached with the American embassy.
Letters of interest include correspondence from May 28, 1964 and July 8, 1964 that mention suicide attempts by men stationed
at the US Naval Training Center in San Diego.
The July 31, 1964 letter includes a Graduation Parade and Visitor Information slip.
The April 3, 1965 letter includes newspapers clippings from USNCTC Log, the base newspaper included with April 3, 1965 letter.
The clippings have biographical information about Verne Oliver.
The October 16, 1965 letter mentions a fire at the Naval base in Kamiseya, Japan that killed 12 men.
The letter postmarked February 24, 1967 includes a pamphlet from the Dachau Concentration Camp. That letter also has a picture
that appears to be of Verne Oliver. It included a separate caption reading "Christmas 1966 – Munich, Germany. Holding Thomas
Hofmiller."
The collection also includes various memorabilia, including Mardi Gras postcards, a 1964 United Airlines menu, pamphlets about
Pensacola, Florida, and a postcard from the Houston Astrodome before it was built. (The postcard refers to the stadium as
"Houston's Domed Sports Stadium.")
box Vietnam 12, folder 5, folder 5
Series 2, Military correspondence 1964 September 4 - 1966 November 22
Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains two letters that were sent to Verne Oliver's parents by the military. One is dated September 4, 1964
and announces that Oliver has reported for duty at the U.S Naval Communications Training center in Pensacola, Florida. The
other letter is dated November 22, 1966 and announces the advancement of Verne Oliver to Communications Technician Second
Class.
box Vietnam 12, folder 6, folder 6