This captivating set of polaroids documents the lives of United States soldiers on base in Vietnam ca. 1970. The Vietnam War marked the first major deployment of an integrated United States Military, and though the majority of these photographs depict only black soldiers, evidence of that integration is present. Few if any of the images were taken on-duty, and many show servicemen partying in the evening hours. The set is particularly striking for the intimacy of the images. While the identity of the photographer or photographers is unknown, they have captured these scenes in such a way that, whether the soldiers are grilling food, listening to music, playing football, sitting in a jeep in their civvies, or relaxing in the barracks, it is remarkably easy for the viewer to put themselves in the photographer’s place.
Among the photographs are several beautiful landscapes of the area around the base, including a gorgeous sunset, and thirteen photographs taken at home before or after deployment. These photographs share the same intimate quality as the others. One, showing a young couple sat on the couch, is inscribed “To Butch, / A very fine and wonderful brother in-law to be, who I’ll miss very much. I hope you’ll make it back home safely. I’ll never forget you. / Love Valerie + Willie” to verso.