Date of interview: 14 August 2026
Bill Sheehan is a Veteran of the US Navy Hospital Corps. He served at the Naval Hospital in Rota, Spain, The Naval Ordinance Station Dispensary in Indianhead, MD, the 2nd Marine Division Headquarters at Camp LeJeune, NC, and from 1968-1969 in the Republic of Vietnam as a Combat Corpsman with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. A filmmaker since 1978, when he joined the crew of Michael Landon in Hollywood, Bill has worked as a Camera Assistant, Camera Operator, and Cinematographer on TV series, Music Videos and Feature Films. In theatre, he has worked as a Theatrical Lighting Designer, and a Pyrotechnic Designer. In
local television, he has served as a Commercial Production Manager, and an Avid Editor at FOX, and a Promotions Director at NBC. He has served as a Filmmaker and an Audio/Visual Director for The Ohio State University, UCLA, Columbia University and Harvard University. Currently, he is writing young adult historical fiction, young adult non-fiction, Military non-fiction and screenplays. Bill lives in New York City.
MWSA: How long have you been associated with MWSA?
Bill Sheehan: I joined MWSA three years ago, and shortly after joining I became a book reviewer. It was during that time that I realized how much information and how many books are available, written by military Veterans. The reviewer process was very rewarding; I enjoyed reading the books, and I felt the time invested was well spent.
MWSA: What was the inspiration for your book?
Bill Sheehan: It had been over fifty years of compartmentalization and not thinking about my combat experience before I actually thought about it, much less write about it. Then I started to contact the Navy Combat Corpsmen that I had served with and I was flooded with memories, stories, experiences and then PTSD. ""Together We Served"" was born.
MWSA: What is your current writing project?
Bill Sheehan: I am currently working on a young adult, non-fiction book featuring the many memorials found in Constitution Gardens on the National Mall in DC. ""Places of Honor"" will also feature several stories from former active duty military regarding what they are doing now and how they continue to serve our nation in volunteer work in military hospitals, museum ships and many other non-profits, all for the benefit of active duty military and military veterans.
MWSA: Why did you choose Military non-fiction?
Bill Sheehan: I had previously published young adult, historical fiction. Three of them. They were fun to write and easy for me to develop fictional stories from historical facts or situations. You just sit down and make stuff up. When I started writing ""Together We Served,"" I realized how hard writing is. And even harder, was coming to grips with the reality of war and then re-living it when I put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. It was actually the beginning of my treatment for PTSD that I didn't realize I had. I began during the pandemic, when I had plenty of time to sit and think and talk with my comrades over the internet from years past. I also realized how fortunate I was to have been able to contact them and share stories. I don't know if I chose Military non-fiction, or it chose me.
MWSA: Who are your readers for the new book?
Bill Sheehan: ""Places of Honor"" presents the memorials in DC with minimal narrative and many photos, for young adults. I visit DC often and always go the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Many times I have been asked of visitors, questions regarding my wartime experience. I always answer honestly, sometimes sanitizing the answers, but I always answer. Most young visitors are interested in what happened. And most know very little about the memorials and what they represent. I am always happy to share that information with them.
MWSA: How has MWSA influenced your writing?
Bill Sheehan: I joined the MWSA to promote my book. I soon became involved as a reviewer, and, in participating in the reviewing process, I discovered how many stories are out there and how many more need to be told. I am honored to be a regular member of the society and I use its resources to learn more about military authors and their stories.