Dwight Stone Knipher - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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Vietnam War

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the Vietnam War

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I donate?

I have created a way to accept donations to grow the project, use the WWII Veterans Portrait Series Go Fund Me.

Where are you located?

I live in the San Diego area but have traveled to many locations to interview and photograph Veterans.


How Long is an Appointment?

Appointments usually last an hour. But please free up time for Mickey to set up lights and cameras, hold the interview, and take some still photographers for in the project.

Do you accept reservations?

Yes is the simple answer to the question. Each appointment is set up as an individual session. Group sessions have been set up when I visited a senior living facility or many of the California Veterans Homes.

Copyright © 2024 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
United States Marine Corps Sergeant (Sgt) Vietnam War Dwight Oree Kniphfer, aka “Stone,” was born in Alabama on December 29, 1943. He lived in Cullman and graduated from Cullman High School.  He worked at his parents’ grocery store, Kniphfer 7-11, before enlisting in the Marine Corps on November 1, 1962.  He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, for boot camp. After graduating from boot camp, Private Kniphfer was assigned to duty with a Marine Detachment (MARDET) onboard the USS Intrepid (CVS-11), an anti-submarine aircraft carrier.  MARDET was responsible for various services, including security, defense, and ceremonial duties, as well as guarding the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. To be shipboard ready, Private Kniphfer attended the Sea Duty indoctrination course as well as the Landing Party indoctrination courses. USS Intrepid was selected as the principal ship in the recovery team for astronaut Scott Carpenter and his Project Mercury space capsule, Aurora 7.  Shortly before noon on May 24, 1962, Carpenter splashed down in Aurora 7 northeast of Puerto Rico and several hundred miles from Intrepid. The crew recovered Carpenter, and in 1965, the USS Intrepid also recovered the Gemini III spacecraft with John Young and Virgil “Gus” Grissom on board.  Stone and his fellow Marines guarded the state rooms for the astronaut while the ship returned to port. Stone attended the Motor Vehicle Operator school during his service and earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 3531.  Marines with this MOS operate and maintain medium- and heavy-wheeled vehicles, transporting troops, supplies, and equipment across all terrains and weather conditions. After four years of service, Sergeant Dwight “Stone” Kniphfer was honorably discharged on October 31, 1966.  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Pistol and Rifle Expert Badges. After the military, Stone moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked in the flooring department at Montgomery Ward, assisting customers with both sales and installation. He married and moved to California, where he started and ran Patty Stone Flooring Co.  After closing his business, he found work as a bartender. Stone has two daughters.
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Dwight Stone Knipher - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Marine Corps Sergeant (Sgt) Vietnam War Dwight Oree Kniphfer, aka “Stone,” was born in Alabama on December 29, 1943. He lived in Cullman and graduated from Cullman High School.  He worked at his parents’ grocery store, Kniphfer 7-11, before enlisting in the Marine Corps on November 1, 1962.  He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, for boot camp. After graduating from boot camp, Private Kniphfer was assigned to duty with a Marine Detachment (MARDET) onboard the USS Intrepid (CVS-11), an anti-submarine aircraft carrier.  MARDET was responsible for various services, including security, defense, and ceremonial duties, as well as guarding the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. To be shipboard ready, Private Kniphfer attended the Sea Duty indoctrination course as well as the Landing Party indoctrination courses. USS Intrepid was selected as the principal ship in the recovery team for astronaut Scott Carpenter and his Project Mercury space capsule, Aurora 7.  Shortly before noon on May 24, 1962, Carpenter splashed down in Aurora 7 northeast of Puerto Rico and several hundred miles from Intrepid. The crew recovered Carpenter, and in 1965, the USS Intrepid also recovered the Gemini III spacecraft with John Young and Virgil “Gus” Grissom on board.  Stone and his fellow Marines guarded the state rooms for the astronaut while the ship returned to port. Stone attended the Motor Vehicle Operator school during his service and earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 3531.  Marines with this MOS operate and maintain medium- and heavy-wheeled vehicles, transporting troops, supplies, and equipment across all terrains and weather conditions. After four years of service, Sergeant Dwight “Stone” Kniphfer was honorably discharged on October 31, 1966.  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Pistol and Rifle Expert Badges. After the military, Stone moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked in the flooring department at Montgomery Ward, assisting customers with both sales and installation. He married and moved to California, where he started and ran Patty Stone Flooring Co.  After closing his business, he found work as a bartender. Stone has two daughters.