Randle Campbell - 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 Navy Photographic Intelligenceman Third Class (PT3) Vietnam War Randle was born in Abilene, Texas, on July 13, 1951. Growing up as a "Navy brat," he moved across the country during his father’s Navy service. He eventually settled in Norwalk, California, where he graduated from Excelsior High School in 1969. Inspired by his family's military background and a desire to learn technical skills, Randle enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating from high school. He attended boot camp in June 1969 at the Recruit Training Command in San Diego. After boot camp, he was sent to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, for six months of specialized training in photographic intelligence, which concluded around March 1970. His first assignment was with VFP-63, a Light Photographic Squadron based at Miramar Naval Air Station. The squadron flew Vought RF-8 Crusaders, modified, unarmed F-8 fighter used for reconnaissance. In 1970, he deployed with Detachment-34 aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) for a combat tour off the coast of Vietnam. His primary role was working in the photo interpretation shop, where he analyzed aerial imagery to identify targets and support bomb damage assessment. PT3 Campbell remained with VFP-63 for his subsequent deployments, which took place with Detachment 5 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 1971. The deployment was extended to nine months due to a heavy workload mapping mines in Haiphong Harbor. He recalled enjoying liberty in ports in Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, where he famously had a custom silk-lined "crackerjack" uniform made. He began a second cruise aboard the USS Coral Sea in 1972. Four months into the deployment, he was flown home on emergency leave because his wife, Cynthia, was having their first child. He spent the final months of his enlistment at Miramar before being honorably discharged in July 1973. After his discharge, he worked for Teledyne Geotronics, an aerial mapping company, before using his GI Bill to earn a degree in geology and geophysics, which led to a career in oil exploration with various oil companies. He later transitioned into a second career as a math and science teacher, where he taught for 20 years.
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Randle Campbell - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Navy Photographic Intelligenceman Third Class (PT3) Vietnam War Randle was born in Abilene, Texas, on July 13, 1951. Growing up as a "Navy brat," he moved across the country during his father’s Navy service. He eventually settled in Norwalk, California, where he graduated from Excelsior High School in 1969. Inspired by his family's military background and a desire to learn technical skills, Randle enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating from high school. He attended boot camp in June 1969 at the Recruit Training Command in San Diego. After boot camp, he was sent to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, for six months of specialized training in photographic intelligence, which concluded around March 1970. His first assignment was with VFP-63, a Light Photographic Squadron based at Miramar Naval Air Station. The squadron flew Vought RF-8 Crusaders, modified, unarmed F-8 fighter used for reconnaissance. In 1970, he deployed with Detachment-34 aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) for a combat tour off the coast of Vietnam. His primary role was working in the photo interpretation shop, where he analyzed aerial imagery to identify targets and support bomb damage assessment. PT3 Campbell remained with VFP-63 for his subsequent deployments, which took place with Detachment 5 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in 1971. The deployment was extended to nine months due to a heavy workload mapping mines in Haiphong Harbor. He recalled enjoying liberty in ports in Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, where he famously had a custom silk-lined "crackerjack" uniform made. He began a second cruise aboard the USS Coral Sea in 1972. Four months into the deployment, he was flown home on emergency leave because his wife, Cynthia, was having their first child. He spent the final months of his enlistment at Miramar before being honorably discharged in July 1973. After his discharge, he worked for Teledyne Geotronics, an aerial mapping company, before using his GI Bill to earn a degree in geology and geophysics, which led to a career in oil exploration with various oil companies. He later transitioned into a second career as a math and science teacher, where he taught for 20 years.