BSNC shareholder Reuben Mixsooke is a Vietnam War Veteran who was drafted to the 59th Ordnance Company in September 1964. He took basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. and later at Fort Campbell, Ky. As the war in Vietnam worsened, Mixsooke’s unit boarded troop ship U.S.S. Breckenridge and arrived in Vung Tau, Vietnam 21 days later. He spent his first six months in Vietnam at Cam Rahn Bay and his last seven months at Vung Tau. During his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Mixsooke became a specialist, fourth class.
Mixsooke returned to the U.S. in June 1966 after a successful first tour. Upon finding out that his younger brother Raymond Charles Mixsooke enlisted, Mixsooke quit his job and reenlisted and was assigned to the First Air Cavalry Division. On April 24, 1968, Mixsooke volunteered to stay out in the field while the new soldiers became field oriented. He tripped a booby trap and lost both of his legs. Mixsooke received a purple heart with an oak leaf cluster along with other medals.
Mixsooke was appointed by Governor Tony Knowles to serve on the Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The mission of the committee was to expand employment opportunities and address technology needs for people of all ages with disabilities and maximize the efficient and cost effective delivery of governmental services. Mixsooke’s son Nilson was an intern in the Information Technology Department during BSNC’s 2016 summer internship.
BSNC thanks all of its shareholders and descendants who have served and are serving our country in our Armed Forces.