Joe Gonzalez - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

World War 2

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the World War 2.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I donate?

I have created a way to accept donations to grow the project, use the WWII Veterans Portrait Series Go Fund Me.

Where are you located?

I live in the San Diego area but have traveled to many locations to interview and photograph Veterans.


How Long is an Appointment?

Appointments usually last an hour. But please free up time for Mickey to set up lights and cameras, hold the interview, and take some still photographers for in the project.

Do you accept reservations?

Yes is the simple answer to the question. Each appointment is set up as an individual session. Group sessions have been set up when I visited a senior living facility or many of the California Veterans Homes.

Copyright © 2024 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
US Army PFC World War 2 Joe Ray Gonzalez, Private First Class, was born on 22 April 1926. Making him 96 years old in a few days, his lucky number, he served in the US Army as an infantryman with the 96th Infantry Division ‘aka’ The Deadeyes. Joe enlisted on 18 Sep 44 and attended boot camp and initial training at Camp Roberts before joining the 96th. The Deadeyes served in campaigns along the Pacific front, including Leyte's battle on an island in the Philippines, the Ryukyu Island, and later into the Island of Okinawa, where Joe joined the Deadeyes who earned the Presidential Unit Citation. Joe joined the 96th and landed 12 days into the battle of Okinawa as replacement troops. He recalled his first night in a foxhole and the companionship of his fellow Mexican service members who helped him through this tough first night. Joe earned his Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) on 22 May, 45, and was relieved of combat operations when the island was secured. Joe did not have enough points accumulated to come home yet. He was transferred to the Philippines with the 98th, where he served the remainder of his enlistment, returning home in December of 1946 for demobilization. Joe was one of fourteen children in his family; three of his brothers served during World War 2. His brothers Jess and Art served with the US Navy, and his brother John was an MP with the Army's Air Corps. Joe received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, and the World War 2 Victory Medal.
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Joe Gonzalez - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army PFC World War 2 Joe Ray Gonzalez, Private First Class, was born on 22 April 1926. Making him 96 years old in a few days, his lucky number, he served in the US Army as an infantryman with the 96th Infantry Division ‘aka’ The Deadeyes. Joe enlisted on 18 Sep 44 and attended boot camp and initial training at Camp Roberts before joining the 96th. The Deadeyes served in campaigns along the Pacific front, including Leyte's battle on an island in the Philippines, the Ryukyu Island, and later into the Island of Okinawa, where Joe joined the Deadeyes who earned the Presidential Unit Citation. Joe joined the 96th and landed 12 days into the battle of Okinawa as replacement troops. He recalled his first night in a foxhole and the companionship of his fellow Mexican service members who helped him through this tough first night. Joe earned his Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) on 22 May, 45, and was relieved of combat operations when the island was secured. Joe did not have enough points accumulated to come home yet. He was transferred to the Philippines with the 98th, where he served the remainder of his enlistment, returning home in December of 1946 for demobilization. Joe was one of fourteen children in his family; three of his brothers served during World War 2. His brothers Jess and Art served with the US Navy, and his brother John was an MP with the Army's Air Corps. Joe received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, and the World War 2 Victory Medal.