Vietnam War comedic form letter for returning soldiers signed by Jackie Ford

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Vietnam War comedic form letter for returning soldiers signed by Jackie Ford, C0385, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 item
Creator:
Ford, Jackie
Abstract:
Content Warning: Racist undertones towards Vietnamese people and culture. Form letter with a comedic tone announcing the return of the undersigned soldier from deployment in Vietnam, created circa late 1960s. The letter, which was originally typewritten and then copied for multiple people to use, describes what the returning soldier in question will need and be used to once back home in the United States.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Vietnam War comedic form letter for returning soldiers signed by Jackie Ford, C0385, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Content Warning: Racist undertones towards Vietnamese people and culture.

Form letter with a comedic tone announcing the return of the undersigned soldier from deployment in Vietnam, created circa late 1960s. The letter, which was originally typewritten and then copied for multiple people to use, describes what the returning soldier in question will need and be used to once back home in the United States. The letter jokes about the soldier behaving as if they were still back in Vietnam or reacting poorly to his family bringing up anecdotes about his life there, such as mentioning dehydrated military food or commenting on the soldier taking a bath in a rainstorm. The letter contains racist undertones towards Vietnamese people and culture. The letter is signed by "Jackie Ford."

Biographical / historical:

The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1954 - 1975, was a conflict between the Communist North Vietnam and U.S.-allied South Vietnam. U.S. forces assisted South Vietnam - also known at the Viet Cong - in their effort to fight against North Vietnam. The Vietnam War and its protest indelibly changed the culture of the United States, Vietnam, and the world as a whole. Millions of Vietnamese civilians and soldiers died due to the conflict, and over 58,000 U.S. soldiers died or were lost serving in it. Vietnam re-unified in 1975, ending the war.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Lynn Eaton from Read'Em Again Books in May 2019.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in March 2022. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in March 2022.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Names:
United States. Army