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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterFinding Aid Authors: Matthew Niendorf.
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David J. Harrer Letters, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acc. 2014.220 was received by Special Collections in January 2015.
David J. Harrer was born around 1945. He was from Sacramento and graduated from Sacramento State College. He joined the army in the 1960's and had a secretarial job in Vietnam. After the war, he moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where he worked for printers.
This collection consists of 70 letters sent by David J. Harrer of the 1st Signal Battalion to his mother, Mrs. Josephine S.Kerr, in Sacremento, California. There is one letter from 1964, possibly sent while Harrer was a Sacramento State College. The majority of the letters were sent beginning in 1969 when Harrer was training at Ft. Lewis in Washington, and continue through his time in the Army, during which he served in Vietnam and traveled extensively around Asia, including Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. Upon returning to the United States, Harrer established himself in Appleton, Wisconsin at a printing press. The letters concern regular updates on day-to-day activities and talk of his travels.
These letters are mostly addressed from Fort Lewis to Sacremento, California. Harrer writes about the bad food at camp, his car, and the men in his platoon.
These letters are addressed from Fort Lewis to Sacramento. Harrer writes about the moon landing, the desire for civilian cloths, and his visits to sites in British Columbia and Washington. Also included is a Fort Lewis postcard and a military pay voucher.
These letters are mostly addressed from South Vietnam. Harrer details his flight to Vietnam and his initial thoughts about the county. He talks about the weather in Vietnam and the scenery. Also included is a photo, presumably of David, and life insurance papers.
These letters also addressed from South Vietnam. Harrer writes about his duties in the Army, his current dislike of Ronald Reagan, and his travels into South Vietnam.
These letters are also addresed from South Vietnam. In the letters, Harrer argues with his Mother over whether the war is worthwhile or not. He notes the generation gap between those who fought in World War II and those fighting in Vietnam. He also details his plans for after the war and his trip to Japan.
In these letters, Hareer writes about a trip to Vung Tau, travels through South Vietnam, and the black market in Vietnam. He also is worried about his mother's health. Harrer also details how he liked his recent trip to Bangkok.
In these letters, Harrer writes about his hunt for a job after the war, his promotion, and his emotions about Christmas away from home.
Harrer asks his Mom to send items to South Vietnam and writes about his job hunt.
Harrer writes about his mother's teaching job. He also gets upset with her for participating in the USO. He talks about the logistics of coming home, his excitement to return to the States, and his job opportunities.
Hareer writes about his new job and life in Wisconsin. He talks about the population of the town, Neenah, his job trainging, and his finances. He also details trips to Ontario and Michigan. He asks his mother about her job and his grandmother. Also included are four photographs, three of David and one street scene.
These letters are from Menasha and Appleton, Wisconsin. Harrer writes about his adjustment to civilian life in a new place.
These undated letters include Harrer's thought about his job hunt. Also included are Chevron advertisements.