Scope and Contents

Book titled A Tale of Boxes: The Role of Myth in Creating and Changing Our Stories by Robert T. Latham includes Latham's discussions on how the United States becomes involved in conflicts like the Vietnam War and why it fails.

Biographical / Historical

Robert T. Latham was born 10 December 1931 in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 1967, he volunteered for service in the US Army. He attended Chaplain Training School at Ft. Hamilton, and worked as a Hospital Chaplain in the Military Police Training Brigade at Ft. Gordon during 1967. In 1968, Latham was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, Pleiku, Vietnam, as the Assistant Division Chaplain, Division Artillery. While in Vietnam, he was involved in Tet, as well as at Firebases, and in general sweeps. Latham received several awards including the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon/Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars. In 1969, he was transferred to Ft. Hood, assigned to the 57th Signal Battalion. In 1970, he was discharged with the rank of Captain. During his military service, Latham protested the war, in uniform, at public demonstrations, and spoke against the war in chapel services. After his discharge, he took every opportunity to discuss the war as a speaker to various groups, and debated his view on radio, and continued to participate in protest marches. Latham became a Unitarian Universalist Minister.