Bobby Tyner

North Carolina native Bobby Tyner dropped out of high school to join the Army in 1965 because he believed his country needed him. He trained as a demolitionist and deployed in support of the Vietnam War to clear Viet Cong tunnels and set anti-personnel mines. He redeployed home and separated from the service in 1967. He floundered as a civilian, was married and divorced several times and struggled with Post Traumatic Stress. He finally met and married a partner who encouraged him to seek mental health support. At the same time, his declining physical health forced him to seek out medical testing through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It was determined that he developed illnesses linked to Agent Orange exposure. While he battled several health-related issues, Bobby found himself supporting and guiding fellow Vietnam Veterans to the VA and joining the board of the Orange Heart Medal Foundation.