Guide to the Jerry A. Zimmer (Class of 1966) oral history and papers relating to the Vietnam War, 1962-2015

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2016

Collection Overview

Title:	Jerry A. Zimmer (Class of 1966) oral history and papers relating to the Vietnam War
Date range:	1962-2015
Creator:	Davis, Elaine Zimmer
Extent:	1.25 Linear feet
Abstract:	Captain Jerry A. Zimmer graduated from Brown University in 1966 before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a decorated F-4 Phantom pilot in the Vietnam War. He was killed in action while flying a ground support mission outside of Da Nang on August 29, 1969. The Jerry A. Zimmer (Class of 1966) oral history and papers relating to the Vietnam War consist primarily of an oral history by Elaine Zimmer Davis, Captain Zimmer’s widow, along with correspondence of Captain Zimmer and his family, friends, and the military, photographs, museum objects, and recent magazine articles and forums relating to his 2009 memorial service in Arlington National Cemetery and efforts to recover his remains from the crash site in Vietnam.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	AMS.1U.Z1

Scope & content

Series 1: Oral History This is an extensive oral history by Jerry’s widow, Elaine Zimmer Davis, conducted by Professor Beth Taylor as part of the Brown University Vietnam Veterans Archives. The transcription of the oral history is 47 pages and details his early life, years at Brown, training for and service in the Vietnam War, as well as Elaine's life after Jerry's death and her search for his remains.

Series 2: Photographs Nine photographs trace Jerry’s life through Vietnam, others document Elaine Zimmer Davis’ efforts to recover his remains in Da Nang, Vietnam during the 2000s, and four photographs feature Jerry’s 2009 memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

Series 3: Correspondence The series contains 3 letters written by Jerry to Elaine while he was in Vietnam, May - August 1969. There is also a letter from Elma Zimmer (Jerry's mother) to Elaine Zimmer describing a phone call with Jerry. The military correspondence comes from his training and after his death. Condolence letters include both remembrances of Jerry and details of his passing.

Series 4: Articles and Forums is comprised of articles, online forums and videos, all relating either to the efforts to recover Jerry’s remains or to memorials.

Series 5: Memorials contains items relating to memorials for Jerry, including a memorial program from 1969 and of a 2010 Veteran’s Day Tribute at Brown University. The speech delivered by Elaine Zimmer Davis at the 2010 tribute is included.

Series 6: Elaine Zimmer Davis papers contains materials relating to Elaine Zimmer Davis, including email correspondence regarding the formation of this archive and an inventory of items donated by Mrs. Davis.

Series 7: Museum objects include Jerry’s leather flight jacket, squadron cap, flight log and various R&R pamphlets, air medal certificates, and military patches.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Crockett, Carol Pigott
• Davis, Elaine Zimmer
• Davis, Ron D.
• Graf, Albert Stephen, 1944-1969
• Mares, Gene
• Pigott , Charles W., 1944-1969
• Taylor, Beth, 1953-
• Taylor, David E.
• Thomas, Mary Ann Graf
• Zimmer, Craig
• Zimmer, Jerry A. (Jerry Allen), 1944-1969
• Zimmer, Jerry A. (Jerry Allen), 1944-1969

Subject Organizations

• Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington, Va.).
• Brown University--Societies, etc.
• Brown University--Student life and customs
• Brown University. Class of 1966.
• Brown University. Naval ROTC.
• Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.
• United States. Marine Corps. Uniforms.
• United States. Marine Corps.
• United States. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542.
• Vietnam Veterans Archive (Brown University).

Subject Topics

• Air pilots, Military
• Airplanes--Piloting
• Bombing, Aerial--Vietnam
• Bronze Star Medal (U.S.)
• Flight jackets
• Flight training
• Gold Star Medal (U.S.)
• Marines--Medals, badges, decorations, etc.
• Memorial service programs
• Military funerals
• Skyhawk (Jet attack plane)
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Casualties
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Missing in action
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Repatriation of war dead
• Zen funeral rites and ceremonies

Geographical Names

• Da Nang (Vietnam)
• Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.)
• Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.)
• Quang Nam, Vietnam

Occupations

• Military officers
• Officers, Military and naval

Subject Topics

• Military

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 7 series.

• Series 1. Oral history
• Series 2. Photographs
• Series 3. Biographical Information
• Series 4. Correspondence
• Series 5. Articles and Forums
• Series 6. Elaine Zimmer Davis Papers
• Series 7. Museum Objects related to Jerry A. Zimmer

Biographical Note

Captain Jerry Zimmer, United States Marine Corps, was born in Maine, New York on May 5, 1944. The oldest of three boys, he was raised on a dairy farm and enjoyed a close relationship with his family. Jerry was a member of the National Honors Society and a star player on his high school football team. He was brought up in the Congregational Church and was highly regarded in town. He attended Brown University on a Naval ROTC scholarship, played football for a short time and pledged Delta Tau Delta. Jerry graduated with a B.A. in Economics in 1966. He married Elaine in June 1966 and entered Officer Candidate School (OCS), and then flight school. After finishing at the top of his class at flight school and earning a jet assignment (most pilots were assigned to helicopters) he began flight training at a number of different bases in the United States. He was assigned to the VMFA-542 (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron) stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam where he piloted an F-4 Phantom (Skyhawk). Captain Zimmer was killed in action with his navigator, Al Graf, while conducting an air strike in support of a reconnaissance insert mission on August 29, 1969, however his remains were not recovered. He is survived by his widow Elaine Zimmer Davis and their son Craig Zimmer. Elaine Zimmer Davis and her current husband, Ron D. Davis (retired Captain, USMC), along with sons and Jerry’s squadron-mates and in coordination with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) have worked tirelessly to identify the location of the crash site, sifting through imprecise records, creating models, visiting the area, and interviewing witnesses. As of February 2016, they continue to try to recover Jerry's remains. On the 40th anniversary of his death, August 29, 2009, a military memorial service was held for Jerry A. Zimmer in Arlington National Cemetery, where a stone stands inscribed to his memory. Elaine Zimmer Davis and family maintain the website http://www.bringingjerryhome.com where they share their journey and continuing related activities in the search for missing United States service members and personnel from past wars.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Jerry A. Zimmer (Class of 1966) oral history and papers relating to the Vietnam War, AMS.1U.Z1, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	All the items in this collection were donated by Elaine Zimmer Davis and Craig Zimmer in 2010 and 2012.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Barbara Ambos.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2016-03-16
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor:	Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Related material:

Part of the Vietnam Veterans Archive (Brown University). Online blog created and maintained by Elaine Zimmer Davis. URL: www.bringingjerryhome.com/ [accessed/verified 2015-Feb-22].

Inventory

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