Calvin Shinner - 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 Calvin Shiner was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb 17, 1923. He was drafted into the Army, entering service on Feb 1, 1943, and served until 21 Oct 1945. Calvin was a Quartermaster and served with the 1328th Engineering Construction Battalion, an all-black service unit. The battalion trained as a construction unit in the swamps surrounding the camp and near Lake Ballentine, Louisiana. Alerted for shipment overseas, the unit embarked for Europe in December 1944. Landing first in England in January 1945 and then in France 2 months later, the unit moved through France and into Germany during the last phase of the war, assisting in the construction and repairing of hospitals, railroads, bridges, and roads. Ordered to deploy to the Pacific in June 1945, the unit moved to Marseille, France, where VJ Day canceled their orders. Calvin was trained as a combination welder, but as a member of the quartermaster's battalion, everyone lent a hand and pitched in if it needed doing. He recounted even digging holes for the engineers to plant charges on a bridge if the unit had to retreat. During his service, Calvin never received a furlough and operated for Two years, Eight months, and 21 days. The 1328th Eng Con battalion kept up with Paton’s 5th Army and always worked to keep the front lines fed, fueled, and outfitted. Calvin remembered that the constant sound of overhead planes never stopped. “While stationed in Africa. War was not a joy for the man of color. I fought in the war not because I wanted to but because I was assigned to do it and was taught to honor, which I am called to do. Like many other men of color, I was treated with no respect.” Calvin stated, “In wartime, while we fight together, We saved each other's lives; after the scrimmage or threat was over, the soldier of color went back to his quarters and was lower than a nickel, and the other soldiers went to theirs and were the heroes.” “ I knew fighting the war was for the white men’s purpose, not for the people of color, but I would have been glad to have done it if only the men of color had been valued.” Let us hope that we Value Calvin and all of the service members of color who struggled to serve our country when it called on them to serve. Calvin and his fellows were originally issued the Springfield 1903 WW1 rifle. They finally revived the newer M1 Grand somewhere in France and saw carbines at war's end. Calvin remembered crossing into Germany, the first time he saw the autobahn and could run the trucks at full speed. Calvin served in the Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns. After serving in Europe, the 1328th was called to serve in Japan. The ship had pulled in for refit before heading to Japan when Calvin and the 1328th heard the announcement of VJ-Day. After this, “We were told if you wish to stay in the service, step this way, and if you wish to leave, step to this line.” “I had watched my fellow white soldiers get rest and relaxation time the whole time, but I was never granted any R&R. Despite my accommodations, I chose to leave the service. In 1945, things were not good for people of Color, but at least I would be on familiar ground.” Calvin returned to Corpus Christi, Texas, was demobilized, married, and had one child.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Calvin Shinner - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army PFC World War 2 Calvin Shiner was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb 17, 1923. He was drafted into the Army, entering service on Feb 1, 1943, and served until 21 Oct 1945. Calvin was a Quartermaster and served with the 1328th Engineering Construction Battalion, an all-black service unit. The battalion trained as a construction unit in the swamps surrounding the camp and near Lake Ballentine, Louisiana. Alerted for shipment overseas, the unit embarked for Europe in December 1944. Landing first in England in January 1945 and then in France 2 months later, the unit moved through France and into Germany during the last phase of the war, assisting in the construction and repairing of hospitals, railroads, bridges, and roads. Ordered to deploy to the Pacific in June 1945, the unit moved to Marseille, France, where VJ Day canceled their orders. Calvin was trained as a combination welder, but as a member of the quartermaster's battalion, everyone lent a hand and pitched in if it needed doing. He recounted even digging holes for the engineers to plant charges on a bridge if the unit had to retreat. During his service, Calvin never received a furlough and operated for Two years, Eight months, and 21 days. The 1328th Eng Con battalion kept up with Paton’s 5th Army and always worked to keep the front lines fed, fueled, and outfitted. Calvin remembered that the constant sound of overhead planes never stopped. “While stationed in Africa. War was not a joy for the man of color. I fought in the war not because I wanted to but because I was assigned to do it and was taught to honor, which I am called to do. Like many other men of color, I was treated with no respect.” Calvin stated, “In wartime, while we fight together, We saved each other's lives; after the scrimmage or threat was over, the soldier of color went back to his quarters and was lower than a nickel, and the other soldiers went to theirs and were the heroes.” “ I knew fighting the war was for the white men’s purpose, not for the people of color, but I would have been glad to have done it if only the men of color had been valued.” Let us hope that we Value Calvin and all of the service members of color who struggled to serve our country when it called on them to serve. Calvin and his fellows were originally issued the Springfield 1903 WW1 rifle. They finally revived the newer M1 Grand somewhere in France and saw carbines at war's end. Calvin remembered crossing into Germany, the first time he saw the autobahn and could run the trucks at full speed. Calvin served in the Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns. After serving in Europe, the 1328th was called to serve in Japan. The ship had pulled in for refit before heading to Japan when Calvin and the 1328th heard the announcement of VJ-Day. After this, “We were told if you wish to stay in the service, step this way, and if you wish to leave, step to this line.” “I had watched my fellow white soldiers get rest and relaxation time the whole time, but I was never granted any R&R. Despite my accommodations, I chose to leave the service. In 1945, things were not good for people of Color, but at least I would be on familiar ground.” Calvin returned to Corpus Christi, Texas, was demobilized, married, and had one child.