Scope and Contents

Slides, photographs, correspondence, military administrative documents, certificates, newspaper clipping and artifacts that document Ray Ernst's tour of duty in the Philippines from 1960-1961, and Vietnam from 1965-1966.

Biographical / Historical

Ray Ernst was born on December 13, 1936 and enlisted in the Army in 1960. Private Ray Ernst served with the Starcom Station, Philippines IX Corps from 1961-1962. Following this time Ray Ernst was discharged to the Reserve Forces. Ray Ernst attended South Dakota University and ROTC between 1962 and 1965. Ernst was recalled to active duty on 31 March 1965, and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Ernst graduated from Fort Benning's Infantry Officer Basic Course in July 1965. Ernst was assigned to the 1/28th 1st Infantry Division as a platoon leader at Fort Riley Kansas. During September the unit arrived in Vietnam. On 11 March 1966 Ernst was wounded in combat resulting in fractured fingers and a partial amputation of the right foot. Ernst retired from the U.S. Army Reserve on 21 March 1968. Ernst passed away on 16 July 1974 from unknown causes.

Series

• Series - Correspondence
• Sub-Series - Military Documents
• Sub-Series - Other Materials