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Army civilian shares family photos, Vietnam Veterans Day

By Julie KelemenMarch 28, 2022

Darren Reese, Safety and Occupational Health Manager, 597th Transportation Brigade, spent nine months working with the U.S. National archives researching his grandfather's service records.

It was no easy task.

His grandfather, Frederick Milton Higgison served six tours as a SeaBee in the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

"He filled the father role for my brother and I until he passed in 1991," Reese said.

Frederick Milton Higgison and Marjorie Higgison in 1970.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Frederick Milton Higgison and Marjorie Higgison in 1970. (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Family historian gathers 3,000 photos of service in Vietnam
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War is being recognized nationwide from May 28, 2012 through through Nov. 11, 2025 as part of the United States Vietnam War Commemoration. (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Seabees were among the first Americans to deploy to Vietnam. They built roads, airfields, cantonments, warehouses, hospitals, storage facilities, bunkers and other facilities which were critically needed to support the combatant forces.

Reese has collected over 3,300 photos and created a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH54K-y9cmU&list=PLzK6-PsBIjfLRsV0Nrw19uEVYHH7mDnPG&index=35.

The legacy of the generations of patriots who dedicated themselves to the defense of our country makes us strong and resilient as a nation and our retired Soldiers and veterans who all contribute to making us the world’s greatest Army.

Learn more: https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/vietnabookshelves/resmat/vietnam/part01/ch01/index.htmlm/part01/ch01/index.html