William E. Turnipseed's interview for the Veterans History Project at Atlanta History Center

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Catalog Number: VIS 201.0776
In this interview, Bill Turnipseed shares his experiences in the Military Assistance Command during the Vietnam War. He recalls his upbringing as the son of a career naval officer in the Washington D.C. area, and speaks about his father's military career including aspects related to his time as a prisoner of war. He talks about his time at the University of Virginia, how he came to enlist in the Army, and describes his Officer Candidate School (OCS) training as the hardest thing he's ever done. He discusses his first impressions of Vietnam including the heat, humidity, and feeling like a tourist. Turnipseed details his duties serving on a Mobile Advisory Team in villages of the Mekong Delta, learning from the people, and operations with provincial troops including an incident when they came under fire. He touches on his return stateside and his career after the military.

[@carlpresley9097]

What a good man and great family. True Americans.

[@kimoanhnguyen7598]

Thankyou ❤️🌹🇺🇸

[@stokestomlin989]

❤thanks! Very nice!

[@jetobey5656]

I was a legitimate CO who tried to enlist as a USMC assigned Navy Corpsman. I unusually, had real trauma education in BSA. I was very physically fit. I could not understand consistent rejection. I asserted, I would kill to protect a wounded patient, and I was an expert marksman, 1911, M14, M1 Garand and an M16, This man actually agrees with my view of the war and my potential service.

[@bryanray1109]

Great lakes is in Illinois