Mr. Boyd & Mr. Spradlin

Katie DavisTrishia Espinoza

11/3/10

Mr. Willie BoydMr. Boyd volunteered to serve in

VN as a Medivac helicopter pilot. He flew at a time when most people thought black people couldn’t fly. He flew 954 combat missions including flights in the Tet Offensive. The dust-off pilot motto was “no compromise, no rationalization, no hesitation.” He convinced himself that he couldn’t be hit when wearing his sunglasses.

Mr. Boyd

Mr. SpradlinMr. Spradlin served as a combat medic in Vietnam. He graduated LRRP school even though only 50% finished. He did many rat patrol missions. He contracted malaria twice. An 82mm mortar exploded 2ft from his head. Somehow he survived, but he lost his hearing in one ear. He had to go 23 days without a shower or a change of clothes at one point in Vietnam.

Mr. Spradlin