Robert "Bob" Johnson (Turtle Clan) served in the Marine Corps during Vietnam. He later served detail on Marine One, the helicopter used by the President of the United States.

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Vietnam Vets

Oneidas' Legacy to Freedom

Story Created: Aug 6, 2008 at 2:47 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 16, 2009 at 11:15 AM EST

James Bigtree (Turtle Clan) enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958. He was stationed in Vietnam as a corporal and on Jan. 11, 1966 in the Quang Nam province he was wounded by hostile small arms fire and died from the resulting injuries. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert Johnson (Turtle Clan) served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, as a member of a helicopter crew that was disabled while picking up injured and dead Vietnamese. The helicopter was hit after the pick up, but managed to land. They were rescued several hours later after reinforcements secured the area.

Following Vietnam, Bob became a crew chief for a helicopter training unit and went on to become the number-one crew chief on the detail that maintained Marine One, the helicopter used by the President of the United States. Bob served under three presidents.

“Where the President went, we went with him. All kinds of hours. Always had to be packed to go,” said Bob, who served under Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

Chip Isaacs (Turtle Clan), Army, also served.

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