Harvey Phillip PrattPrattHarvey PhillipOKVietnam War, 1961-1975Marine Corps3rd Marine DivisionLance CorporalCalifornia; Okinawa, Japan; Vietnam; Yuma, ArizonaNoVeteran"I’ve used my art my whole life." (Video interview, 28:31)A member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, Harvey Phillip Pratt spent his childhood as a student at St. Patrick’s Indian Mission. After the discipline and strict environment of boarding school, he had no trouble adjusting to life in the Marine Corps. Sent to Vietnam in 1963, he was stationed in Da Nang as part of the 3rd Marine Division. Following his year in-country, he returned to Oklahoma, where he embarked on a career in law enforcement. A life-long interest in art led to a unique role within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation: he became a nationally renowned forensic artist, with a special focus in soft tissue reconstruction. His artistic expressions extend beyond his career in law enforcement; he created the winning concept design for the National Native American Veterans Memorial, to be located on the National Mall in Washington, DC.Harvey Pratt at time of interview [2018]Veterans and the ArtsLegacies of Service: Celebrating Native VeteransStrict atmosphere of boarding school; taught to be a warrior; ease of transition to military.Grandfather taught survival skills that helped him cope in military; lots of time spent outdoors while growing up.Had three close friends while in country; reconnecting with his good buddy RD.(Continued) Had three close friends while in country; reconnecting with his good buddy RD.Returning home after Vietnam; given a dance, a ceremony, and a song by his community.Pursuing artistic expression throughout his life; designing memorials; importance of art to his law enforcement career.Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congresshttps://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.112851/DLC-AFC2022-04-26loc.natlib.afc2001001.112851