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Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
From: Marc Yablonka
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
Ha! I've been to NC a couple of times, Dick, but I'll have to take your word for it. Both times I was hanging around with Montagnards. Didn't come across any rednecks! Just spec ops guys, social workers and the like. One of the Montagnards, H'Doi Ksa, from Greensboro, got over here, went to work as a gardener, made enough to buy the boss out and now he owns the outfit and is a millionaire. Great success story.
From: Dickie Ellis
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
The guy in charge of the State Capitol grounds and the Governor’s mansion for years was a Yard. Unfortunately, he passed away several years ago. Great people and many Tar Heels have fond stories of our Vietnamese neighbors.
From: Marc Yablonka
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
Dick,
I once interviewed Dr. Dick Turpin, who ran the Christian group Project Concern Hospital at Lien Hiep in the Highlands during the war. Small chance, I know, but wonder if Mike ever mentioned he had a relative by that name and occupation in-country. Last I heard, Dr. Turpin was the prison doctor at a federal facility in NC.
Marc
From: Marc Yablonka
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
Dick,
Not sure if I mentioned it, but back in `93, I was on hand at Guilford College in Greensboro when the Special Forces community from Ft. Bragg, along with folks from Catholic Charities, Lutheran Family Services and the community at large welcomed 300 Montagnards, who'd been holed up in the jungles of Cambodia hiding from Hanoi's wrath leveled upon them for their Christian faith, were flown in . The UN was instrumental in guaranteeing them safe passage out and resettlement in Raleigh and Greensboro. It was quite a weekend. First time I ever imbibed in the Montagnard elixir they call "Nampee." Whew! is the only word that comes to mind. Stuff can knock a moose off a rancher's wall! "Soldier of Fortune" ran the piece I wrote about the event.
Marc
From: Jim White
Date: April 30, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
Bob,
There are photos of Mike and his wife in John Mikesch's slides #39 to #43.
Jim W
From: Rick Fredericksen
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
Did anyone know Mike, listed as an announcer at AFVN in Saigon 1967-68? Like to learn more about him and his death in 1972.
Rick Fredericksen
From: Bob Morecook
Date: April 30, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
There may be a photo of Turpin on the AFVNvets page.
Bob
Seeking Ira Leslie "Mike" Turpin SSG, USA Announcer, Saigon 67-68
April 2019
From: Dickie Ellis
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
I never heard him mention the doctor. The federal prison is in Butner just North of Raleigh. I am sure they have a website and you could probably send him an email. Let me know if I can help...
AFVN Conversations
From: Rick Fredericksen
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
Rick... Mike was a friend... I put together and ran his TelePrompTer every night for the 6 o’clock news. He went home then came back to Saigon as a civilian and was shot in a bar incident I understand. He married a Vietnamese woman named Lilly if I recall. Some of the other guys know more I am sure. Dickie
From: Rick Fredericksen
Date: April 29, 2019
Subject: Seeking Info on Mike Turpin
We actually had teleprompters? I've read plenty of TV newscasts in 1969, did I forget about that?