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Raymond Wilson

Raymond is one of the speakers in our Vietnam War 360 panel series.
Learn more.

Raymond Wilson talks about how being black impacted his career choice and ultimately sent him down the road of joining the military; and about his life-long love of flying.

 This excerpt is from Twin Cities PBS's documentary Minnesota Remembers Vietnam: The Telling Project.
Learn more at the bottom of the page.

This is so important to me, to get my story out, because I think there are young men and women of color that tell people what they want to do in their life and not get a chance to do it.

African American pilot in cockpit, flying.

Ray Wilson – Army Pilot (1968-1971) | Army Chief Warrant Officer (1971-1992).

Growing up in rural New Jersey in the 1950s, Ray dreamed of being a pilot. But, being African American, he didn’t have role models or a clear path to that goal. While pursuing a degree in teaching, he decided to take the leap and enroll in private flying lessons. There an instructor introduced him to a recruiter and the rest was history. Ray joined the Army in 1969 to pursue his dream.

After spending 366 days in Vietnam, he re-enlisted and had an Army career that spanned 22 years and included positions as flight school instructor, a Medivac Pilot, and a Chief Warrant Officer. A job with Northwest Airlines brought him to Minnesota in 1990, and Ray remains in touch with fellow veterans through the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. 

African American man in front of a chopper.

MORE ABOUT MINNESOTA REMEMBERS VIETNAM: THE TELLING PROJECT

Nearly 50 years after the Vietnam War began, many vets of the era are dying – and many more will – underscoring a critical need to document their experiences and acknowledge their sacrifices.

The Telling Project is a national performing arts non-profit that uses theater as a tool to deepen civilian understanding of the military experience. The resulting performances give veterans a platform to tell their stories and give audiences an opportunity to listen.

For the first time, The Telling Project brings together a group of veterans from a single war – Vietnam.

Through a series of candid and emotional interviews, founder Jonathan Wei and director Max Rayneard identify a cast, craft the unique memories into a script, and empower the veterans to perform on stage. Follow five Vietnam War veterans and family members on a journey as they shape their experiences into a powerful culminating stage performance.

Watch a preview of Minnesota Remembers Vietnam: The Telling Project:

This story is part of Civil Rights Movement and the War.
View the story collection.

Story Themes: African American, Medevac, Pilot, Race, Ray Wilson, Raymond Wilson, The Telling Project

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