Doug Parker - 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 © 2025 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
United States Navy Hospital Corpsmen Senior Chief Petty Officer (HMCS) Vietnam War Doug Parker was born on March 23, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Meta. He graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City in 1965, earning his license to practice in Missouri and Kentucky. Just before graduation, on January 17, 1965, he married Joyce, who supported him throughout his entire naval career. They had two children. With his student deferment finished, Doug joined the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. After completing boot camp and the 19-week Hospital Corps School (“A-School”) at Great Lakes, Illinois, Hospitalman (HN) Parker was assigned to the dispensary at Marine Corps Training Command in Quantico, Virginia. He then spent two years helping officers returning from Vietnam by working with medical fitness boards to make sure they received care for service-connected disabilities. His favorite duty station was a three-year forward deployment to the Republic of China, Taiwan, with the United States Taiwan Defense Command, where he was promoted to HM2. Doug’s next role was as an instructor at the Naval Hospital Corps School in San Diego, CA. While teaching the Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) course—which trained corpsmen to operate without a doctor present—he was promoted to HM1 and later selected for Chief Petty Officer (HMC). Chief Parker served in various other assignments, including HQ Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan; the 5th Marines at Camp Lejeune; and the Navy Drug Screening Command in San Diego. His final two years were aboard the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3). Senior Chief Petty Officer (HMCS) Parker was honorably discharged on October 31, 1988, concluding his twenty-two years of service. Doug transitioned his medical experience to a civilian career at UC San Diego Medical Center. As a Medical Buyer and purchasing agent, he was responsible for over a million dollars in monthly medical supply expenses. He worked at UCSD for 15 years before retiring.
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Doug Parker - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Navy Hospital Corpsmen Senior Chief Petty Officer (HMCS) Vietnam War Doug Parker was born on March 23, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Meta. He graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City in 1965, earning his license to practice in Missouri and Kentucky. Just before graduation, on January 17, 1965, he married Joyce, who supported him throughout his entire naval career. They had two children. With his student deferment finished, Doug joined the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. After completing boot camp and the 19-week Hospital Corps School (“A-School”) at Great Lakes, Illinois, Hospitalman (HN) Parker was assigned to the dispensary at Marine Corps Training Command in Quantico, Virginia. He then spent two years helping officers returning from Vietnam by working with medical fitness boards to make sure they received care for service-connected disabilities. His favorite duty station was a three-year forward deployment to the Republic of China, Taiwan, with the United States Taiwan Defense Command, where he was promoted to HM2. Doug’s next role was as an instructor at the Naval Hospital Corps School in San Diego, CA. While teaching the Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) course—which trained corpsmen to operate without a doctor present—he was promoted to HM1 and later selected for Chief Petty Officer (HMC). Chief Parker served in various other assignments, including HQ Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan; the 5th Marines at Camp Lejeune; and the Navy Drug Screening Command in San Diego. His final two years were aboard the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3). Senior Chief Petty Officer (HMCS) Parker was honorably discharged on October 31, 1988, concluding his twenty-two years of service. Doug transitioned his medical experience to a civilian career at UC San Diego Medical Center. As a Medical Buyer and purchasing agent, he was responsible for over a million dollars in monthly medical supply expenses. He worked at UCSD for 15 years before retiring.