Vietnam War Veterans | Ann Arbor District Library

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AACHM Oral History: Carl James Johnson

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 1:57pm

Carl James Johnson was born in 1945 in Willow Run, Michigan. His family moved to Ann Arbor when he was seven years old, after his mother suffered a stroke. He attended Jones School and Tappan Junior High and participated in the French Dukes drill team in the early 1960s. Johnson served in Vietnam in the Navy Seabees unit, where his drill experience spared him from direct action. For most of his career he worked as a caterer at the University of Michigan and Domino Farms. He celebrates his Black and Native American heritage by volunteering on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

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First black general to lead Michigan ANG retires

Parent Issue

Ann Arbor News, February 27, 1997

Day

Month

February

Year

1997

Read more about First black general to lead Michigan ANG retires
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Media

AACHM Oral History: Bill Henderson

Wed, 07/27/2022 - 12:41pm

William A. Henderson was born in 1943 in Ann Arbor to William and Viola Henderson. After graduating from Ann Arbor High School and Eastern Michigan University, Henderson enlisted in the Marine Corps and went through naval aviator training. He flew in 125 combat missions during the Vietnam War and was a forward air controller with the infantry. He advanced through the ranks and in 1996 became the first Black pilot to achieve the status of Major General in the Michigan Air National Guard. He was also Chief Pilot at General Motors. He and his wife Francine have two children, Justin and Nicole.