MS 725 - James Puhl Collection

MLA Citation

“MS 725 - James Puhl Collection.” Finding Aids. BGSU University Libraries, 20 Mar. 2014, lib.bgsu.edu/finding_aids/items/show/957. Accessed 8 June 2023.

Tags

TitleMS 725 - James Puhl Collection
Introduction

The James Puhl collection dates from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. The collection documents James Puhl’s injury in the Vietnam War in 1968. Also included are items related to James’ father, Paul Puhl’s, time as Post Master General of Maumee, Ohio.

James Puhl donated this collection to the Center for Archival Collections on June 14th, 1996. No restrictions exist on the research use of this collection and duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and scholarly research. The collection was processed by Seth A. Bordner in April 2009.

Biographical Sketch

James Joseph “Jim” Puhl was born on December 13, 1948. He was the son of Paul, 1909-1993, and Justine Susanna, nee Orians, 1919-2003, who were married June 14th, 1936 in Maumee, Ohio.

James Puhl served as a marine in Vietnam. He was injured on April 30, 1968 when a mortar exploded near him. His injuries were caused by shrapnel and were to his extremities and his skull. As evidenced in his letter home, his writing hand was also affected. He was evacuated to Guam on May 5, 1968. He was a member of the Wood County Chapter of VietNow.

James Puhl’s father, Paul, was Post Master General of Maumee, Ohio for 26 years from February 1949 to June 1975. The Sectional Center Manager of the U.S. Postal Service for Toledo presented him a certificate of appreciation for his service upon retirement.

Scope and Content

The main focus of the collection concerns James Puhl’s injury in Vietnam in the spring of 1968. This is recounted in a series of letters, telegrams and a copy of Puhl’s medical record in relation to the injury.

Included are copies of news clippings related to Paul Puhl’s tenure as Post Master General of Maumee, Ohio and a framed certificate of Paul Puhl’s promotion to Post Master General.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE
1968
Arranged chronologically.
Includes letters from James Puhl to his parents and letters and telegrams from military personnel to James Puhl’s parents regarding his injuries.

PRINTED MATERIAL

MEDICAL REPORTS
Undated.
A copy of a marine doctor’s medical report that includes a detailed description of James Puhl’s injury in Vietnam and his prognosis.

NEWSCLIPPINGS
1950-1975.
Arranged chronologically.
Includes copies of news clippings from the Maumee Valley News about Paul Puhl’s career as Post Master General of Maumee, Ohio. Primarily concerned with his appointment and retirement. Includes biographical sketch of Paul Puhl.

PUBLICATIONS
November 1992
Life Magazine issue includes an article on the Vietnam Memorial.

BOOK
1987
Illustrated History of the Marines: Vietnam by Edwin H. Simmons

CERTIFICATES
August 2nd, 1950.
A framed certificate that appoints Paul Puhl Post Master General of Maumee, Ohio.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

PHOTO PRINTS
November 5, 1956.
A group of five photo prints showing James Puhl’s family together around the time of James Puhl’s first communion at St. Joseph Church in Maumee, Ohio.

SLIDES
Undated.
A group of five slides presumably showing marines in Vietnam.

Inventory

Box 1

Folder 1

  1. Correspondence- Letter, James Puhl to parents, 4/28/68, last letter before injury.
  2. Correspondence- Letter, hospital worker to James Puhl’s parents, 5/1/1968.
  3. Correspondence- Letter, hospital worker to James Puhl’s parents, 5/2/1968.
  4. Correspondence- Telegram, Leonard F. Chapman, Commandant of the Marine Corp, to James Puhl’s parents, 5/6/1968.
  5. Correspondence- Telegram, Leonard F. Chapman, Commandant of the Marine Corp, to James Puhl’s parents, 5/6/1968.
  6. Correspondence- Telegram, Leonard F. Chapman, Commandant of the Marine Corp, to James Puhl’s parents, 5/7/1968.
  7. Correspondence- Telegram, Leonard F. Chapman, Commandant of the Marine Corp, to James Puhl’s parents, 5/10/1968.
  8. Correspondence- Letter, James Puhl to parents, undated, sequential by content.
  9. Correspondence- Letter, James Puhl to parents, 5/14/68.
  10. Correspondence- Letter, James Puhl to parents, undated, sequential by content.
  11. Correspondence- Letter, James Puhl to parents, undated, sequential by content.
  12. Correspondence- Letter, James Puhl to parents, undated, sequential by content.
  13. Correspondence- Telegram, Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD, to James Puhl’s parents, 5/31/1968.

Folder 2

  1. Medical Report- Copy of a medical report describing the circumstances of James Puhl’s injury and medical diagnosis, undated.

Folder 3

  1. News clipping- Copy of Maumee Valley News, August 1950, concerning Paul Puhl’s appointment to Postmaster General of Maumee, Ohio.
  2. News clipping- Copy of Maumee Valley News, June 1975, concerning Paul Puhl’s honorable service as Postmaster General of Maumee, Ohio.
  3. News clipping- Copy of Maumee Valley News, May, 28 1975, concerning Paul Puhl’s retirement as Postmaster General of Maumee, Ohio.

Folder 4

  1. Life Magazine 11/1992.

Folder 5

  1. The Illustrated History of Marines: the Vietnam War, by Edwin H. Simmons, 1987.

Folder 6

  1. Photo prints- Five photo prints on an album page, undated. Labeled “Jim Puhl,” seems to be of a young James Puhl and family.

Folder 7

  1. Slides- Five unlabeled slides showing soldiers, presumably in Vietnam, undated.

Loose Material

  1. Presidential Certificate from Harry S. Truman making Paul Puhl Post Master General of Maumee, Ohio, 8/2/1950.
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