Gary L. Johnson - 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
Please email

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 Army Specialist 4 (Spec 4) Vietnam War Gary was born on August 4, 1949, in Southgate, California, and lived in the East Los Angeles area until he was 13, when he moved to Hacienda Heights, where he graduated from Los Altos High School in 1968. Gary was drafted in June 1968 and reported for duty in Los Angeles. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California. After basic training, he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, on the Pershing missile system. The Pershing was a series of U.S. Army solid-fueled, nuclear-capable theater ballistic missiles deployed in West Germany. Scoring high in electronics, he received five weeks of additional specialized training in Azimuth Laying (ALE), which involved learning the complex wiring and guidance systems of the missile warheads. His first assignment was in Heilbronn (specifically Nickersulm), Germany, with the 3rd Battalion, 84th Field Artillery. As a crew operator, he worked with the mobile Pershing A1 missile system. The unit followed a rotation, spending six months in the field, moving around the Black Forest to serve as a deterrent while maintaining constant readiness. He completed this initial tour and was honorably discharged on May 9, 1971. After about a year as a civilian, Gary reenlisted and went back to Germany. He was stationed in Neu-Ulm with the 1st Battalion, 81st Field Artillery. His duties were similar, but he took part in large-scale annual readiness exercises and war games with other military branches. After three and a half years, Gary was honorably discharged again in 1975. Specialist Johnson received the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge. After his military service, Gary held various jobs, including working at automotive speed shops, a welding supply company where he pumped oxygen and acetylene, and eventually for Halliburton in Oklahoma. Gary married his first wife, Linda, in 1969, shortly after finishing basic training. He has one son named Jason.
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Gary L. Johnson - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Army Specialist 4 (Spec 4) Vietnam War Gary was born on August 4, 1949, in Southgate, California, and lived in the East Los Angeles area until he was 13, when he moved to Hacienda Heights, where he graduated from Los Altos High School in 1968. Gary was drafted in June 1968 and reported for duty in Los Angeles. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California. After basic training, he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, on the Pershing missile system. The Pershing was a series of U.S. Army solid-fueled, nuclear-capable theater ballistic missiles deployed in West Germany. Scoring high in electronics, he received five weeks of additional specialized training in Azimuth Laying (ALE), which involved learning the complex wiring and guidance systems of the missile warheads. His first assignment was in Heilbronn (specifically Nickersulm), Germany, with the 3rd Battalion, 84th Field Artillery. As a crew operator, he worked with the mobile Pershing A1 missile system. The unit followed a rotation, spending six months in the field, moving around the Black Forest to serve as a deterrent while maintaining constant readiness. He completed this initial tour and was honorably discharged on May 9, 1971. After about a year as a civilian, Gary reenlisted and went back to Germany. He was stationed in Neu-Ulm with the 1st Battalion, 81st Field Artillery. His duties were similar, but he took part in large-scale annual readiness exercises and war games with other military branches. After three and a half years, Gary was honorably discharged again in 1975. Specialist Johnson received the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge. After his military service, Gary held various jobs, including working at automotive speed shops, a welding supply company where he pumped oxygen and acetylene, and eventually for Halliburton in Oklahoma. Gary married his first wife, Linda, in 1969, shortly after finishing basic training. He has one son named Jason.