A Minnesota PBS Initiative
The Art of War
After-hours sketching changed Les Fordahl's military career, and life, forever. Seen sketching at Fort Devens in the evenings, he was recruited by an officer to make a mural in their day room. He eventually ended up being transferred to the Art Department in Arlington, VA, and later served in Germany, and then Vietnam.
I don't do anything on the computer anymore, I do it the old fashioned way--pencil and a canvas.
[Pencil on Paper] Danang Press center. From the Library of Congress Veterans History Project Collection.
[Pencil on Paper] "Living Quarters (Hooch), Fire Base (underground), Vietnam" [1970]. From the Library of Congress Veterans History Project Collection.
Les's story was captured with the help of TPT's Minnesota Remembers Vietnam team.
Check out more of Les's art.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: Bloomington, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Long Binh, Vietnam 
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Dates of Service: 1967 - 1971
Veteran Organization: VFW, VVA, DAV
Specialty: 81 E ILLUSTRATOR/DRAFTSMAN
Story Themes: Art, Bloomington Picnic, Carl Fordahl, Combat Art, Coming Home, DAV, Drawing, Les Fordahl, Painting, PTSD, VFW, VVA, Watch
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