Guide to the Jacques Leyninger papers, 1920-1982

(bulk 1947-1982)

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 2014

Collection Overview

Title:	Jacques Leyninger papers
Date range:	1920-1982, (bulk 1947-1982)
Creator:	Leyninger, Jacques, 1929-
Extent:	3.25 Linear feet
Abstract:	These are the papers of Jacques Leyninger who served in the 4th Compagnie Saharienne Portée d'Infanterie Marine for France during 1947-1963. He was stationed in Morocco (1947-1949), Vietnam (1950-1952), and North Africa (1952-1963). It consists primarily of the letters written by him to his parents during 1947-1980. It also contains documentation of his military service, maps of countries in North Africa where he was stationed, photographs and photograph albums, and the insignia and medals for his uniform.
Language of materials:	French
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	MS.2013.015

Scope & content

This collection consists primarily of the letters written by Jacques Leyninger to his parents during 1947-1980. It also contains documentation of his military service, maps of countries in North Africa where he was stationed, photographs and photograph albums, and the insignia and medals for his uniform.

There are approximately 1,500 letters. Jacques wrote at least once a week to his parents. Only one letter written by his mother, Eugenie, in 1968 is included. He was stationed in North Africa (1954-1963) during the struggles in that region for independence from France. His letters reflect his experiences as a member of the French military in that political environment.

The photographs provide a lot of detail about his military career and the places he was stationed. The photograph albums are particularly interesting for the number of images of camels, camel drivers and the customs of the people native to Mali, the Sahara, and Morocco. The albums containing images of Vietnam show Jacques with other French military personnel as well as Vietnamese families in their homes.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• France. Armeé--Military life.

Subject Topics

• Camels--Africa, North
• Military life
• Soldiers--France--Correspondence

Geographical Names

• Africa, North--Colonization
• Algeria--Description and travel
• France--Colonies--Africa--History
• Mali--Description and travel
• Mali--History--Autonomy and independence movements
• Morocco--Description and travel
• Sahara--Description and travel
• Vietnam--Description and travel

Document Types

• Letters
• Maps
• Photograph albums

Subject Topics

• Military

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in the following 4 series:

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Documents
• Series 3. Photographs
• Series 4. Objects

Biographical/Historical note

Jacques René Leyninger was born June 3, 1929 to Paul and Eugenie (Nesse) Leyninger in Cosnes et Romain, Meurthe et Moselle, France. The family was living in Ivry-sur-Seine, just outside Paris, when Jacques voluntarily enlisted in the Infanterie de Marine on June 25, 1947 at the age of 18. He was a member of the 4e Compagnie Saharienne Portée d’Infanterie de Marine. During his military career (1947-1963) he was stationed in Morocco (1947-1949), Vietnam (1950-1952), and North Africa (1952-1963). More specifically he was in Safi, Morocco; Timbuktu, Mali; Bamako, Mali; Soc Trang, Vietnam; Araouane, Mali; Algeria; and Sahara. While he was in North Africa, many of those countries struggled for and gained independence from France. He was assigned to the Cadre Méhariste Volontaire (Camel Corps) during 1957-1958 in the Sahara. He rose to the rank of Adjutant-Chef and retired in June 1963. His date of death is not known.

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:	Jacques Leyninger papers, Ms.2013.015, 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:	This collection was purchased by Brown University Library in 2013.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Karen Eberhart.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-05-09
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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