Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Willie H. Boyd Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: United States Medical Department, 45th Medical Company (AA/Air Ambulance)
- Location of Service: Vietnam; Korea; Europe; United States
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/10242
In Vietnam, there were racial tensions on top of the usual stress of war, but helicopter pilot Willie Boyd knew that when he and his team were on a mission, everyone was color blind. Boyd flew his air ambulance into dangerous situations, knowing that if he could get an injured man back to the field hospital for treatment within an hour, that soldier had a good chance of survival.
Interview / Recording
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PlayThe rarity of being an African American pilot; race doesn't matter in the field, but it does in social situations away from the action. 00:28:57.0 - 00:30:25.7
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PlayQuick response to calls for a medical pickup; the Golden Hour of being able to pick up a wounded soldier and saving him; adrenalin overcoming weariness; why war is fought by the young. 00:32:56.5 - 00:36:02.7
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PlayNo one in his crew got hurt during either of his tours of Vietnam; on 24-hour stand-by shifts; slept in beds with clean sheets. 00:37:54.0 - 00:39:53.6
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PlayMaking decisions, based on nature of injuries, which facility to evacuate the soldier to; sense of déjà vu on his second tour. 00:41:14.3 - 00:42:34.0
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PlayWearing sunglasses as a way of blocking out danger. 00:46:07.3 - 00:47:39.8
More Resources
Interview / Recording
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PlayGetting a reputation for being lucky after surviving so many runs in rickety choppers. 00:06:05.9 - 00:08:15.4
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PlayNot talking about his experiences in Vietnam for several years afterwards; taking pride in his accomplishments; dealing with morality of killing in wartime. 00:08:31.8 - 00:11:21.3
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PlayFighting the so-called white man's war. 00:13:22.8 - 00:15:39.0
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PlayJane Fonda. 00:15:47.3 - 00:17:00.6
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PlayThe "horse" mission: chopper hovers to pick up wounded and is a better target for the enemy. 00:23:48.6 - 00:25:22.0
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PlayDescribing the three times he got shot down. 00:28:17.7 - 00:31:42.2
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PlayGrowing up in segregated South in the Civil Rights era. 00:36:22.8 - 00:40:33.8
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PlayFighting alongside the ARVN in Vietnam. 00:43:29.8 - 00:44:36.5
About this Item
Title
- Willie H. Boyd Collection
Names
- Quesinberry, Stephen
- Newman High School
- Boyd, Willie H.
- Quensinberry, Stephen
Home State
- Georgia
Headings
- - Boyd, Willie H.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: United States Medical Department, 45th Medical Company (AA/Air Ambulance)
- Location of Service: Vietnam; Korea; Europe; United States
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Dates of Service: 1966-1994
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [2 items] -- Digitized Copy (collected 2003)
- Video: Digital 8 [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003; 2003)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/10242
Cite as
- Willie H. Boyd Collection (AFC/2001/001/10242), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video