William E. Bratton III - 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.

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United States Marine Corps United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Vietnam War William E. Bratton was born on September 20, 1948, in Oklahoma and raised in the Sperry area. He attended Sperry High School, where he played football as a fullback for the Sperry Pirates. He graduated from high school in 1967. After high school, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended boot camp on 17 June 1967 at Camp Pendleton in California. He then completed Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) for approximately five months. After AIT, Bill was stationed with the 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton. He was deployed to Vietnam, where he served two tours. He remembered that his unit moved frequently in the South Hills area. He was then assigned to the Marine Detachment (MARDET) aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). During this assignment, he met Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and her children when they visited the ship. He took the children to see a machine gun fired from the side of the vessel. His primary job on the aircraft carrier was to build and attach bombs to aircraft on the flight deck. He also served on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65). After his six-year Marine Corps career, he joined the Air Force and attended electrician school for two years to learn a trade he could use in civilian life. He was stationed in Alaska for two years. As an electrician, he climbed poles and strung power lines across miles of Alaska. Staff Sergeant Bratton again completed his service and was honorably discharged from the Air Force on November 18, 1977. During both enlistments, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (2), the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy Unit Citation. He also received the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the USAF Combat Crewmember Qualification Badge, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the Air Force, Bill worked as an electrician. He also worked as a general handyman and electrician for a large church, where he performed tasks such as trimming trees and inspecting roofing work.
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William E. Bratton III - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Marine Corps United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Vietnam War William E. Bratton was born on September 20, 1948, in Oklahoma and raised in the Sperry area. He attended Sperry High School, where he played football as a fullback for the Sperry Pirates. He graduated from high school in 1967. After high school, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended boot camp on 17 June 1967 at Camp Pendleton in California. He then completed Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) for approximately five months. After AIT, Bill was stationed with the 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton. He was deployed to Vietnam, where he served two tours. He remembered that his unit moved frequently in the South Hills area. He was then assigned to the Marine Detachment (MARDET) aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). During this assignment, he met Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and her children when they visited the ship. He took the children to see a machine gun fired from the side of the vessel. His primary job on the aircraft carrier was to build and attach bombs to aircraft on the flight deck. He also served on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65). After his six-year Marine Corps career, he joined the Air Force and attended electrician school for two years to learn a trade he could use in civilian life. He was stationed in Alaska for two years. As an electrician, he climbed poles and strung power lines across miles of Alaska. Staff Sergeant Bratton again completed his service and was honorably discharged from the Air Force on November 18, 1977. During both enlistments, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (2), the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy Unit Citation. He also received the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the USAF Combat Crewmember Qualification Badge, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the Air Force, Bill worked as an electrician. He also worked as a general handyman and electrician for a large church, where he performed tasks such as trimming trees and inspecting roofing work.