James Tapp - 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 Navy Capt World War 2 - Korea - Vietnam James (Jim) Tapp served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1977, serving 33 years on active duty. Jim served from the rank of Seaman Recruit (SR) to Navy Captain. Jim grew up in Buford, Georgia, a small suburb north of Atlanta. Jim entered the Navy on 15 April 1944 at the age of 18. Jim was drafted during World War II and reported for induction, wondering what service he would be selected for. He jumped on the train to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, for induction with about 15 other young men. He was chosen to be in the Navy and shipped off to Bootcamp at Naval Construction Training Center at Camp Peary, VA. This was where young men were turned into Navy Seabees in 12 weeks. But after Boot Camp, Jim was selected to attend the Navy school for Signalman and Quartermaster at Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland. Here, Jim learned ship-to-ship communications, such as semaphore and Morse Code, preparing him for the fleet he would not join for many years. Jim was selected to participate in advanced training that ended with him being chosen to attend the Naval Academy predatory school for four weeks before being elected to the Naval Academy. Jim reported to Annapolis, Maryland, to attend the Academy and graduated as a member of the class of 1949. He was selected to attend the Supply Corps Officer school in Maryland for about six months. Here is where he learned that if someone could Eat it, Use it, or Break it, They (The supply department) were in charge of it. Ensign James Tapp then reported to his first ship, the USS Bayfield (APA-33), a Bayfield-class attack transport, as the Assistant Supply Officer (A Supo). Ens Tap Served one tour onboard before being assigned to his second ship. Jim served in many commands during his Naval career but fondly remembers serving as the Supply Officer onboard the USS Chester T. O’Brien, DE-421, a destroyer escort. The O’Brien had a crew complement of 14 officers, 200 enlisted. Captain James Tapp's last command was at the Naval Regional Supply Center at the West Coast Supply Head Quarters, Long Beach, CA. Navy Complex. Here, he ran all purchasing for the West Coast command operations. Captain Tapp retired in 1977 and settled in San Diego, CA. with his wife, Pat. They have been married for over 70 years, having first met on a blind date while he was attending the Naval Academy. During his 33 years on active duty, James served in three wars, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
James Tapp - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy Capt World War 2 - Korea - Vietnam James (Jim) Tapp served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1977, serving 33 years on active duty. Jim served from the rank of Seaman Recruit (SR) to Navy Captain. Jim grew up in Buford, Georgia, a small suburb north of Atlanta. Jim entered the Navy on 15 April 1944 at the age of 18. Jim was drafted during World War II and reported for induction, wondering what service he would be selected for. He jumped on the train to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, for induction with about 15 other young men. He was chosen to be in the Navy and shipped off to Bootcamp at Naval Construction Training Center at Camp Peary, VA. This was where young men were turned into Navy Seabees in 12 weeks. But after Boot Camp, Jim was selected to attend the Navy school for Signalman and Quartermaster at Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland. Here, Jim learned ship-to-ship communications, such as semaphore and Morse Code, preparing him for the fleet he would not join for many years. Jim was selected to participate in advanced training that ended with him being chosen to attend the Naval Academy predatory school for four weeks before being elected to the Naval Academy. Jim reported to Annapolis, Maryland, to attend the Academy and graduated as a member of the class of 1949. He was selected to attend the Supply Corps Officer school in Maryland for about six months. Here is where he learned that if someone could Eat it, Use it, or Break it, They (The supply department) were in charge of it. Ensign James Tapp then reported to his first ship, the USS Bayfield (APA-33), a Bayfield-class attack transport, as the Assistant Supply Officer (A Supo). Ens Tap Served one tour onboard before being assigned to his second ship. Jim served in many commands during his Naval career but fondly remembers serving as the Supply Officer onboard the USS Chester T. O’Brien, DE-421, a destroyer escort. The O’Brien had a crew complement of 14 officers, 200 enlisted. Captain James Tapp's last command was at the Naval Regional Supply Center at the West Coast Supply Head Quarters, Long Beach, CA. Navy Complex. Here, he ran all purchasing for the West Coast command operations. Captain Tapp retired in 1977 and settled in San Diego, CA. with his wife, Pat. They have been married for over 70 years, having first met on a blind date while he was attending the Naval Academy. During his 33 years on active duty, James served in three wars, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.