- On View
- 1968 & Beyond Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond
- Published by
- Gideons International, American, founded 1899
- Used by
- Brown, James Edward II, American
- Subject of
- United States Army, American, founded 1775
- Date
- 1968
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (closed): 5 × 3 1/4 × 1 1/4 in. (12.7 × 8.3 × 3.2 cm)
- Caption
- This Bible was presented to James Brown by his parents in May 1969, just after his graduation from high school and before his induction into the U.S. Army. During the Vietnam War, Brown served in Vietnam and Cambodia, carrying this Bible in the left breast pocket of his fatigue jacket. The Bible's condition testifies to the arduous conditions of military service in Southeast Asia during the war.
- Description
- A pocket Bible carried by James E. Brown II of the 20th Engineer Brigade during the Vietnam War.
- The Bible is a New Testament Psalms and Proverbs Bible with a red cover. The front and back cover is heavily deteriorated and falling apart. The cover edges are ripped, torn, and unraveling. The front and back covers are no longer attached to the binding and the fabric of the cover is coming apart from the cardboard backing. There are also blue ink spots on the edges of the pages. The Ink on interior of back cover is bleeding, with some water spots, and discoloration throughout. Many of the interior pages edges have been dog-eared and creased. There are handwritten notes throughout the book. Please see inscription field for full transcription.
- Classification
- Books and Published Materials
- Type
- Bibles
- Topic
- Christianity
- Faith
- Military
- Religion
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of James Edward Brown, II
- Object number
- 2016.29
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




