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.
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.
Jacques Leyninger papers, Ms.2013.015, Brown University Library.
This collection is arranged in the following 4 series:
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.
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.
This collection was purchased by Brown University Library in 2013.
Maps of: West Africa, Sahara, Algiers
Maps of: Bamako-Ouest, Mauritanie, Tombouctou (2 copies), Soudan Francais, Maroc, Sénégal.
Portrait of Jacques from c.1956 and 2 photos of zoo animals from letter dated 1953 Nov 25.
A couple photos of his mother, Eugenie Nesse, as a child and young woman and other family members. Images of the countryside in the Lorraine section of France. Color photographs of a party in the 1970s including Jacques Leyninger.
Images of towns and countryside in France. A few color photos of Jacques Leyninger eating dinner with friends.
Createdy by his mother Eugenie Leyninger using photos taken by Jacques while he was in Safi, Morocco; Soc Trang, Vietnam; and Bamako, Mali. Also, several photos of Jacques as a young boy and teenager.
Images of Soc Trang, Vietnam.
Created by his mother Eugenie Leyninger using photos taken by Jacques Leyninger in Mali. Many pictures of Jacques with camels, tents, and men from Mali who seem to be acting as guides.
Images taken by Jacques Leyninger while stationed in the Saharan Desert, Algeria.
Images taken by Jacques Leyninger while stationed in Timbuktu. Many images of camels and local people working with camels and at markets.