Title: George J. Carr Papers and Photographs
Inclusive Dates: 1961-1968

Creator:

• Carr, George J.

Call Number: WVM Mss 686

Quantity: 0.7 linear ft. (1 archives box and 1 flat box) of papers, 0.1 linear ft. (7 folders) of photographs, 0.1 linear ft. (3 folders) of paper prints.

Repository:

Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Have questions? Contact the Reference Archivist

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Veterans Museum (Map)

See the catalog entry for current shelf locations and additions.

Abstract:

Papers and photographs of George J. Carr, a private who served in Battery B of the 4th Battalion, 42nd Artillery and was killed in action during the Vietnam War. Collection consists largely of the letters that Carr wrote home to his family during his time in Vietnam leading up to his death. Transcriptions of the letters by his mother Lillian accompany the originals. Also included are poems written by Carr during his military service. Many of the poems reflect his Catholic faith and all reveal a young man overwhelmed by the chaotic surroundings he found in Vietnam. Condolence letters from Army personnel describing the circumstances of his death, forms regarding the disposition of his personal belongings, and a funeral register document Carr's death and funeral. Photographs include shots of Carr from childhood through his military service.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.wvm-mss00686

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George Joseph Carr was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 27, 1945 to John and Lillian (Urban) Carr. The second of eleven children, he moved with his family to New Berlin, Wisconsin while still very young. He grew up in New Berlin, attending local schools and graduating from high school. He was drafted into the Army in 1965 and went over to Vietnam in late 1966, serving with the 4th Battalion of the 42nd Artillery. Carr died on May 27, 1967 from wounds he received when two undetonated grenades suddenly detonated. Following his death, his family published a booklet of the poems that he had sent home.

The papers of George J. Carr are divided into two series: Papers and Photographs.

Papers (1965-1968) consist largely of the letters that Carr wrote home to his family during his time in Vietnam leading up to his death. Letters to his parents and siblings describe his duties in the military and his concern for the welfare of the natives living near his Army base. His descriptions of their plight eventually led his family to gather clothes and food to send to Vietnam. Transcriptions to many of the letters can be found in a scrapbook compiled by his mother. Also included are poems written by Carr during his military service. Many of the poems reflect his Catholic faith, and all reveal a young man overwhelmed by the chaotic surroundings he found in Vietnam. Condolence letters from Army personnel describing the circumstances of his death, forms regarding the disposition of his personal belongings, and a funeral register document Carr's death and funeral. Other materials include some scattered military papers, military awards and certificates, and ephemeral items.

Photographs (1961-1967) contain pictures of Carr at various stages in his life. There are twelve bust-view photographs of Carr in uniform, likely taken in 1966. Undated photographs from his childhood how him as he grew up. Several high school identification cards from the early 1960's have photographs of a teenaged Carr. There is also a shot of his casket from his funeral in Wisconsin.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Maureen Black, New Berlin, WI, 2004. Accession Number: Mss 2004.102. This collection was organized as a result of the National Historic Publications and Records Commission project grant (2003-075).

Processing Information

Processed by Russell Horton in 2004.

	Series: Papers
Box   1 Folder   1	Awards/Certificates, 1967-1968
Box   2 Folder   1	Bronze Medal certificate, 1967
Box   1 Folder   2	Condolences, 1967-1968
	Subseries: Correspondence	⇧
Box   1 Folder   3	From George J. Carr, 1966-1967
Box   1 Folder   4-5	To John and Lillian Carr (parents), 1965-1967, undated
Box   1 Folder   6	Transcriptions, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	To John and Kevin Carr (brothers), 1966-1967
Box   1 Folder   8	To Maureen Carr (sister), 1966
Box   1 Folder   9	Transcriptions, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	To Marie Urban (aunt), 1966-1967
Box   1 Folder   11	Transcriptions, 1967
Box   1 Folder   12	To George J. Carr, 1965-1967
Box   1 Folder   13	Marie Urban to Lillian Carr, 1968
Box   1 Folder   14	Ephemera, undated
Box   1 Folder   15	Financial documents, 1966-1967
Box   1 Folder   16	Funeral/Interment, 1967
Box   1 Folder   17	Register, 1967
Box   1 Folder   18	Life insurance, 1967
Box   1 Folder   19	Military papers, 1965-1966
Box   1 Folder   20	Personal effects, disposition of, 1967
Box   1 Folder   21	Poetry, undated
Box   2 Folder   2	Scrapbook (with letter transcriptions), 1966-1967
Box   1 Folder   22	Vietnam memorial, circa 1967
Box   1 Folder   23	Will and estate, 1967-1968
	Series: Photographs	⇧
	Subseries: George Carr
Ph   11 Folder   21	Childhood [4] , undated
Color Ph   2 Folder   3	Childhood [1] , undated
Paper Print   2 Folder   3	Paper prints [1]
Color Ph   2 Folder   4	Funeral [2], 1967
Paper Print   2 Folder   4	Paper prints [2]
Ph   11 Folder   23	High school [3] , 1961-1963
Color Ph   2 Folder   5	High school [2] , 1961-1963
Paper Print   2 Folder   5	Paper prints [2]
Ph   11 Folder   24-25	Uniform [12] , circa 1966