Kriti Mehrotra
As a Brian Knappenberger-directorial documentary series living up to its title in every way conceivable, Netflix’s ‘Turning Point: The Vietnam War’ can only be described as utterly poignant. That’s because it shines a light upon every aspect of this long conflict, with a particular focus on its impact on not only the American and global society but also all the innocent lives involved. Amongst those to thus feature in this 5-part original production are a few then-active officials from across the service branches of the US Department of Defense (now military veterans).
Scott Camil is Now a Proud Activist
Born on May 19, 1946, in New York, before primarily being raised in Florida alongside his sister and stepsiblings during the Cold War, Scott Camil was always taught that Communism was bad. Therefore, he knew he wanted to serve his country and fight this ideology, even if he didn’t know what it really meant at the time. Therefore, he joined the Marine Corps mere days after graduating from high school. It was during his training that he was taught “to destroy the will of the enemy” by any means necessary, all the while admittedly being conditioned to think racially and unempathetically.
Scott arrived in Vietnam on March 24, 1966, and everything changed for him less than a month later – on April 18 – as an attack in the night left several of his fellow officials dead while he was on guard. He realized he was in a strange place where others’ job was to kill him and his friends. He admitted that it ignited a feeling of utter hatred in his heart, and he decided he would kill as many locals as possible. That’s exactly what he did, gradually rising to the rank of Sergeant before leaving Vietnam in November 1967 to complete his time in the Corps, attending skill schools in Europe and the Caribbean. It was in July 1969 when he got out for good, returning to the US and his family with clear ambitions of pursuing further education, unaware of what the civilians really thought of the Vietnam War.
Scott earned an Associate’s degree in pre-law from Miami-Dade Community College in December 1970, following which he transferred to the University of Florida for a Bachelor’s in Philosophy. It was during this period that he realized how the troops and the public had allegedly been lied to by the government for years, driving him to almost immediately begin publicly opposing the conflict. In fact, he subsequently became a primary witness in the Winter Soldier Investigation, a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and even returned his two Purple Heart medals, his Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry with Silver Star, as well as his Good Conduct medal. As if that’s not enough, he later evolved into a chapter leader of the antiwar demonstrations and allegedly even conspired to disrupt the 1972 Republican National Convention alongside seven others.
Scott graduated while on a long trial as one of the “Gainesville Eight,” only to eventually be acquitted in 1973 and then advancing his political activism while also getting a pilot’s license. Since then, he has evolved into the President of the Veterans for Peace organization’s chapter in Gainesville, Florida (1987-today). He has traveled to Vietnam for the Friendship Village Project and taken a stand on many more recent local, national, and international matters. He even served as a Political Chair on the Suwannee St. Johns Group Sierra Club for two decades (2000-2020), has shown his support to Palestine, and is dedicated to protecting the ecosystems of Alachua County through Stand By Our Plan. On a more personal level, the subject of the 2002 documentary ‘Seasoned Veteran: Journey of a Winter Soldier’ is a proud family man with a loving wife named Sherry Steiner, kids, and grandkids.
Scott Shimabukuro Prefers to Lead a Relatively Quiet Life Today
As a proud Japanese-American who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, Scott Shimabukuro had the same idea about Communism as the majority of the youngsters in the US, so he followed in their footsteps. He also ended up enlisting in the military, joining the Marine Corps when he was essentially just a teenager, before ending up on the frontlines in South Vietnam during the darkest and harshest of times. According to reports, he gradually climbed up the hierarchical ladder too, earning the position of Lance Corporal with Charlie Battery 1st Battalion, 13th Marine Regiment, 3rd Division at Khe Sanh. However, his overall experience in the armed forces was admittedly a lot different than others owing to his background and ethnicity, despite the fact that he was more than ready to serve his country bravely.
As per Scott’s own accounts, he encountered racism at every turn, starting from the moment he stepped off the bus for boot camp in San Diego until he ultimately returned home after service. In fact, because it was the Vietnam War, he was also unfairly and insensitively used as an example of how the enemies would look throughout briefing as well as training sessions, which is something he even testified to. During the Winter Soldier Investigation in early 1971, he said, “The service draws no lines… in their racism. It’s not just against the South Vietnamese or the North Vietnamese. It’s against the Asian, as a people, all over the world.”
Scott further testified to additional acts of racism and other heinous crimes that he witnessed for years while on active duty, which made his anti-war stance perfectly clear in the time to follow. He subsequently not only continued down this path of activism but also co-established the Asian Movement for Military Outreach program to help fellow officials find a supportive community in every sense. Since then, though, it appears as if this Southern California-based family man prefers to keep both his personal and professional experiences well away from the limelight for privacy reasons, especially after he married a Vietnamese citizen.
Jan Barry is a Man of Many Hats
Unlike many others, the reason Jan Barry Crumb found himself becoming involved with the military was simply because he wanted to see the world in the hopes of feeding his creative soul. The Ithaca, New York, native reportedly had a small-town, patriotic upbringing, so he dropped out of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University (within a year) in May 1962 to enlist. According to reports, he served in the Army Aviation Branch as part of the 18th Company. He completed a tour of Vietnam spanning December 1962 to October 1963 before returning to the US for good.
Jan subsequently found his calling elsewhere as he found himself at West Point and growing increasingly “disgusted” by the escalation of American presence as well as heinous war crimes in Vietnam. He resigned from his position at the service academy in November 1964 in the hopes of rejoining active duty and making a change, only to be discharged a mere 6 months later in May 1965. That’s when he publicly began taking an anti-war stance, going as far as to send letters expressing his fears and sentiments to Senator Robert Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara with his war medals, just for the latter to be returned to him. In the end, he simply chose to participate in peaceful demonstrations, all the while deciding to pursue a writing career too, starting with a position at The Bergen Record newspaper in New Jersey.
Jan then briefly served as a File Clerk at the New York Public Library prior to becoming the Principal Founder and First President of the renowned Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) in 1967. Since then, the now-Teaneck, New Jersey resident has managed to build an incredible career for himself as a writer, poet, and author, all of which showcase his bravery, heart, and sincerity. He was first published as a journalist at The Record, but soon, his original work started gaining traction, resulting in him now being the author of ‘A Citizen’s Guide to Grassroots Campaigns,’ ‘Earth Songs: New & Selected Poems,’ ‘Waging Art: Tackling Grief and Trauma with Creative Arts,’ and much more. As if that’s not enough, it’s imperative to note that he continues being involved in veteran affairs and even works with a program called Combat Paper Project, which helps them plus their family cope with grief via art.
Everett Alvarez Jr. Has Long Evolved Into an Entrepreneur and Public Figure
As a second-generation Mexican-American, Everett Alvarez Jr. knew the significance of determination and thus worked hard to earn an academic scholarship for Santa Clara University. However, the seemingly direct and traditional path he was on changed in 1960 after he earned a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, as he joined the Navy and was ultimately selected for pilot training. Little did anyone know he would be the first pilot shot down during the Vietnam War in the early hours of August 5, 1964, only to immediately be captured and detained in brutal captivity at the Hỏa Lò Prison in Hanoi, North Vietnam, for 8½ years. It was thanks to a peace treaty that he was among the first prisoners of war to be released on February 12, 1973, shortly following which he willingly decided to attend a refresher flight training course.
Nevertheless, as time passed, instead of returning to active duty, Everett chose to enroll at the Naval Postgraduate School for a Master’s in Operations Research and Systems Analysis (1976). He subsequently served in the Program Management Division of the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C., until he retired from service with honor on June 30, 1980. He did so with a Silver Star, a Distinguished Flying Cross, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts under his belt, just to then also earn a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from The George Washington University in 1983.
Since then, Everett has served as the Deputy Director of the Peace Corps under President Ronald Reagan before moving on to the position of Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration. Then, in 1988, he was appointed to the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Maryland, where he served for nearly 21 years, twice as Chairman. This lifetime member of the Board of Fellows of Santa Clara University is also currently on the Board of Governors of Grantham University and the College of William & Mary Washington DC Council. Furthermore, in the private sector, the now-McLean, Virginia resident founded a company called Cowal in 1987 (sold in 2002) and then established the IT Consulting organization Alvarez & Associates in 2004. From what we can tell, this 2024 recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal and happily married father of two serves as the Founder and CEO of his business to this day.
Clarence Jack Ellis is a Politician Through and Through
Born and brought up in Macon, Georgia, Clarence Jack Ellis (or simply C. Jack) still remembers the racism and segregation that were prevalent in his small town throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Nevertheless, he worked hard to rise above, resulting in him eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree from St. Leo University in Florida prior to finding himself in the Army and training as an airborne infantryman as well as an instructor (paratrooper) before beginning active duty. He served two tours in Vietnam with the 101st and 5th Infantry Divisions, respectively, later even being a part of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, California, to work as a recruiter for over 11 years.
Therefore, when C. Jack retired following 20 years of service, he did so with a Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Medal for Valor, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Star under his belt. Once this chapter of his career was over, he decided to shift gears by managing a cable television system, evolving into an executive for the United States Census Bureau, and hosting a public access show focusing on the black community. He even moved back to his hometown of Macon, Georgia, in the hopes of bringing about a much-needed change in the community and its thinking, which he actually managed to do over time.
It was in 1999 that this once Virgin Islands-based youth summer basketball training camp organizer, C. Jack ran for and secured the position of his hometown’s 40th Mayor. He was the first African American to hold this position in the area’s then-176-year history, just to be re-elected without any issues for a second term in 2003, during which period he even revisited Vietnam to mend ties and help in their development. The Democrat tried running for election again, for the third time, in 2011. Yet, he lost by a total of 537 votes, and today, he serves as a dedicated Informational Interviewer at the ONAIR Program. As if that’s not enough, the politician is also the Honorary Consul for Uganda in Georgia, as well as a proud father and grandfather who prefers to keep his private life away from the spotlight.
Mike Nakayama is Involved in Anti-War and Veteran Issues
Having grown up hearing tales of World War II and finding himself addicted to drugs as a teenager, Mike Nakayama knew he would be joining the military for a fresh start as soon as he was able. That’s precisely what he did – the moment this Japanese-American graduated from Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High School in his hometown of Los Angeles, California, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Little did he know he would be subjecting himself to racism and violence in a way no one could have ever imagined, with the former unfortunately coming from within the Army rather than their enemies. As per his own accounts in the 1971 Winter Soldier Investigation, his colleagues in the 1st Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines weren’t exactly racist towards him, but his trainers and other officials were.
However, what affects Mike the most from his years of active service in Vietnam to this day are all the heinous war crimes he witnessed as well as the injuries he sustained upon getting hit by a rocket. It took him some time to be medevaced after the incident as some initially mistook him for a Vietnamese soldier, but he was soon able to get the right treatment for his blown-out eardrums, bullets to the chest, and shrapnel all over. His wounds did result in his time in the Marines coming to an early close, but he did eventually earn a Purple Heart as well as a Bronze Star for rescuing a few fellow officials from danger.
Mike still has shrapnel stuck in his shoulder, which serves as a physical reminder to him about what he endured, but the 75-year-old also has a mental reminder as he developed PTSD upon returning. Yet, instead of letting his trauma consume him, from what we can tell, the veteran did his best not to fall back into old drug habits and actually established a career as an anti-war and military activist. In fact, alongside a few fellow Marines, he even established the Asian Movement for Military Outreach so as to help those like him feel seen and have a community before, during, and after service. As if that’s not enough, he often serves as a public speaker/guest lecturer on peace and justice, all the while also working to produce campaigns on the same and aiding veterans.
Frederic Whitehurst is an Attorney and an Executive in a Non-Profit
Born in November 1947 in Newport, Rhode Island, as the second child of a Naval Officer and a homemaker, qualities like courage, hard work, and perseverance were instilled in Fredric Whitehurst at an early age. Therefore, he happily chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy Reserve while he was still just a senior in high school, meaning he had boot camp right after graduation. However, he was honorably discharged from there within a few months, as it came to light that he was a sleepwalker, which can understandably prove to be extremely dangerous on a naval ship. That’s when he decided to move in with his grandfather and attend East Carolina University, where he found his calling in Chemistry, only to reportedly drop out during his senior year.
Frederic was actually pursuing a triple major, so as the pressure of his chosen courses became too much, he took a step back, got on a bus, and went to New York to enlist in the Army on September 30, 1968. He had either gotten over his sleepwalking by this point, or this military branch had no issues with his condition because he managed to complete his training and even specialized as an intelligence agent. This is how he ended up serving around 3 years in Vietnam as a specialist at the US base in Đức Phổ, where his primary task was to review seized documents and interrogate prisoners of war. Hence, upon returning to the US in 1972, he stepped away from active service for good with four Bronze Stars, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Campaign Medal under his belt – he refused the Purple Heart.
Shortly following Frederic’s discharge, he not only tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Cheryl, but also decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Duke University in the hopes of having a related career. He earned his doctorate at the age of 32 in the late 1970s before proceeding to attend Texas A&M University on a Postdoctoral Fellowship until he realized academia was not for him. However, thanks to the blend of his background and experiences, he soon found himself landing a job with the FBI in 1982, just to gradually climb the ladder until he had evolved into a Supervisory Special Agent in the crime lab – this is a position he held from 1986 to 1998.
As the years passed, though, things changed for Frederic as he reported a colleague for allegedly giving false testimony in an international trial, only for him to face internal backlash on several levels. Thus, he decided to shift gears and earned his Juris Doctorate (law degree) from Georgetown University in 1996 – he only took night classes since he was still diligently working full-time. Ultimately, it took a decade of his constant whistleblowing for the FBI to investigate his claims and agree to 40 reforms to improve reliability, but by this point, he had already moved on in a professional sense. Today, this happily married man based in Bethel, North Carolina, continues to further his career – he is a Forensic Consultant, the Executive Director of the Forensic Justice Project under the National Whistleblower Center, and a criminal attorney at his own firm, which was established in early 2003.
Richard Armitage Sadly Passed Away in April 2025
Although Richard Armitage was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts, he was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School in 1963. It was not long after that he enrolled in the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1967 before finding himself doing three tours of Vietnam. He initially served on a destroyer stationed off the coast of North Vietnam before engaging in combat tours in South Vietnam. So, when he chose to step away from active duty in 1973, he did so with a Bronze Star with Combat Valor, a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Valor, and a Navy Achievement Medal with Combat Valor.
Even though Richard left service in 1973, he didn’t immediately return to the US. Instead, he joined the Defense Attaché Office, Saigon, where he organized and led the removal of allied ships and personnel from the country and out of the hands of the approaching enemies. He even personally negotiated with both the North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese governments on how to move forward before the US troops were all extracted in 1975. Then, Richard served as aide to Republican Senator Bob Dole before finding himself holding the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security Affairs for East Asia and the Pacific from 1981 to 1983 under the Reagan administration.
Later on, Richard was appointed the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, a position which he proudly held for the ensuing eight and a half years before he was ultimately appointed as a special emissary to King Hussein of Jordan during the Gulf War. By the time the mid-1990s rolled around, though, Richard had decided to join the private sector, where he served as the Director of the data aggregation firm ChoicePoint. However, he came back to the government sector during the George Bush administration as Deputy Secretary of State from March 2001 to February 2005 before moving on for good in 2006, but maintaining a position as a consultant. Unfortunately, Richard passed away from a pulmonary embolism at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia, on April 13, 2025 – he was 79 at the time, and he leaves behind his loving wife, Laura Samford Armitage, and their eight children.
Eldson J. McGhee Has Turned Over a New Leaf
Eldson J. McGhee was serving as a railroad worker when he was drafted into the military in the 1960s, and even though his family didn’t want him to go, he decided to go ahead with it. Little did he know that it would turn his entire world upside down as he would witness unimaginable acts of crime, violence, and immorality, leaving him traumatized in a way that no one knew. In fact, as per his own accounts, once he returned home in the 1970s, he moved back in with his family and had such nightmares that his mother cried with him.
Since there were no ways for him to settle back into normalcy, Eldson ended up turning to crime, which included robbing banks. It was only when he was caught and in prison that he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, leading him to feel a sense of relief as he finally understood what was wrong with him. Once he was released, he made some necessary lifestyle changes and even pursued further education before landing a job at the US Department of Veterans Affairs. In fact, even today, he remains dedicated to his truth and the truth of war by serving at the non-profit organization Military with PTSD, where he helps those like him in any way they need. The author of ‘Short Changed’ is also the President and CEO at T-VOE Consulting, as well as the Vietnam Veterans of America Greater Metro-Atlanta, Georgia chapter.
John Ghilain is a Retired Police Officer
Standing at 6’4” with a strong Boston, Massachusetts accent, John Ghilain has always been hard to ignore, yet he was even harder to ignore in a military uniform. According to reports, he was just a teenager when the Vietnam War was in full swing, and he enlisted in the hopes of serving his country, unaware of the realities awaiting him. He was actually based near the US Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, when the troops were extracted in 1975, so he played a crucial role in helping others evacuate before he left himself, all the while living up to his nickname, Big John Ghilain.
From what we can tell, John was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1977, after which he returned to his hometown and settled back into civilian life. However, needing a bit more out of life, he eventually decided to join the Medford Police Department, where he served as a patrolman and local police officer before retiring for good in the late 2010s. Since then, it appears as if the Massachusetts native has preferred to lead a relatively quiet life surrounded by his loved ones – partner, kids, as well as grandkids – while also never forgetting his past. He is still involved in Veteran and anti-war issues to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Shad Meshad is the Proud Founder of the National Veterans Foundation
While Floyd “Shad” Meshad was not an Army, Navy, or Marine personnel in Vietnam or after, he was a key part of the US troops as a part of the US Army Medical Service Corps. He reportedly joined our troops in the conflict zone upon graduating from Florida State University with a Master’s in Psychiatric Social Work, only to help them there and back in the US right until 1978. It was during this period that the war came to an end, and the aftereffects of it started coming to light, which soon even led the doctor to realize the importance of spreading awareness about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Therefore, in 1985, Shad established the National Veterans Foundation, an organization that focuses on helping former officials manage and reduce their anger, frustration, and stress after service. As if that’s not enough, ever since 2001, he has even been serving as the Owner, Teacher, and Consultant at Quantum Performance Institute, a firm he established to further aid law enforcement and critical incident professionals with their mental health. Furthermore, he even posts regularly on Huffington Post to address all concerns one might have about their mental health, the recurring issues returning veterans face, and much more. This Los Angeles, California, doctor is doing is best to provide aid to those who need it while ensuring that no stereotype prevents them from seeking aid, which is significant in and of itself.
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