William D. Dozier - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series View More Photos Skip to Main Content

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 Navy Chief Yeoman (YNC) Vietnam War Chief Yeoman William Dozier served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1971. Upon receiving a Selective Service Notice coinciding with the start of the Korean War, Bill decided to enlist in the Navy and reported for boot camp in 1951. Dozier’s position as Yeoman involved administrative and clerical duties, including protocol, naval instruction, evaluations, naval reports, and telephone and mail communications. The Yeoman is also required to draft correspondence, such as social letters, notices, directives, and other reports. Mr. Dozier recalls being taught to type because he had never seen a typewriter before Bootcamp. Bill’s duty stations include the Naval Training Center, Aviation, in Norman, Oklahoma, where he served for his first four years. He was then ordered to train at B School in San Diego, CA, before reporting to Pearl Harbor, where he served as Commander, Surface Forces Pacific, for two years. Bill then swapped assignments with another 2nd Class Petty Officer to return to the States, joining Naval Transport Squadrons VR-8 and VR-7 stationed at Moffett Air Force Base, CA. During his 3 years with the squadrons, he moonlighted at night, working at the Lockheed Cafeteria. Bill then reported to the USS Marshall (DD-676), a Fletcher-class destroyer home-ported in San Diego, CA, where he was selected as Admiral’s Writer for a 1-year tour. He then went TAD to the Cambodia Military Attache Group (MAG). At the MAG, the Navy was trained in the use of P.T. boats. This 6-month period in 1973 was in support of the war in Vietnam. Bill then served with the Navy Recruitment District in San Francisco, CA, for 2 years. He then reported to the Nurse Program, Navy/Marine Applicant Processing, in the San Joaquin Valley, where he had to learn to use a Flexerwriter machine. He got it operational in a week and streamlined the process to an hour. Bill then served in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1968 for a 1-year tour and was in charge of Classified Material (Mail). Chief Yeoman fondly recalls one of his best memories: being given the opportunity to meet Billy Graham while stationed in Saigon, Vietnam. Bill then served on his last ship, the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37), a Destroyer Repair Ship, for three years with WES Pac deployments. Bill retired in 1971 after 20 years of service.
mickey,strand,photograph,nikon,California,San,Diego,portrait,VPS',Veteran
William D. Dozier - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Navy Chief Yeoman (YNC) Vietnam War Chief Yeoman William Dozier served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1971. Upon receiving a Selective Service Notice coinciding with the start of the Korean War, Bill decided to enlist in the Navy and reported for boot camp in 1951. Dozier’s position as Yeoman involved administrative and clerical duties, including protocol, naval instruction, evaluations, naval reports, and telephone and mail communications. The Yeoman is also required to draft correspondence, such as social letters, notices, directives, and other reports. Mr. Dozier recalls being taught to type because he had never seen a typewriter before Bootcamp. Bill’s duty stations include the Naval Training Center, Aviation, in Norman, Oklahoma, where he served for his first four years. He was then ordered to train at B School in San Diego, CA, before reporting to Pearl Harbor, where he served as Commander, Surface Forces Pacific, for two years. Bill then swapped assignments with another 2nd Class Petty Officer to return to the States, joining Naval Transport Squadrons VR-8 and VR-7 stationed at Moffett Air Force Base, CA. During his 3 years with the squadrons, he moonlighted at night, working at the Lockheed Cafeteria. Bill then reported to the USS Marshall (DD-676), a Fletcher-class destroyer home-ported in San Diego, CA, where he was selected as Admiral’s Writer for a 1-year tour. He then went TAD to the Cambodia Military Attache Group (MAG). At the MAG, the Navy was trained in the use of P.T. boats. This 6-month period in 1973 was in support of the war in Vietnam. Bill then served with the Navy Recruitment District in San Francisco, CA, for 2 years. He then reported to the Nurse Program, Navy/Marine Applicant Processing, in the San Joaquin Valley, where he had to learn to use a Flexerwriter machine. He got it operational in a week and streamlined the process to an hour. Bill then served in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1968 for a 1-year tour and was in charge of Classified Material (Mail). Chief Yeoman fondly recalls one of his best memories: being given the opportunity to meet Billy Graham while stationed in Saigon, Vietnam. Bill then served on his last ship, the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37), a Destroyer Repair Ship, for three years with WES Pac deployments. Bill retired in 1971 after 20 years of service.