This year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, we are remembering those who served in the Vietnam War, 50 years after the official withdrawal of American troops. Gary Bipes, EAA 97654, was a Vietnam combat photographer whose service will preserve a lesser-seen side of history for generations to come.
Gary, with much help from his daughter Julie Kay, created the photobook Angle of View that intimately details the highs and lows of his Vietnam experience through his own words and photos. He provides readers his point of view of being drafted into the Army, living amongst Vietnamese villagers, the perils of combat, and his eventual return to American soil.
“I want to show people in the United States that there were real people living there in the village; it was not all combat,” Gary shared. “My book shows pictures of the people really living. And I lived with the people. It’s important to me to show veterans that they can share their life and say, ‘This is what Vietnam was really like.’”
Gary is here at AirVenture volunteering for his 21st year, this time in the Pitts Room assisting with on-site transportation. He encourages anyone interested in learning more about his story to contact him at 612-816-8383 or garybipes@hotmail.com.