Peter Kurtz - 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 S2c World War 2 Mr. Peter Kurtz enlisted in the Navy and attended Bootcamp at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, in 1945. Peter enlisted to become a Hospital Corpsman but did not attend Corpsman school due to the draw-down in forces in 1945 at the end of the war. Peter served on active duty as a Seaman Second Class (S2c) until the end of his enlistment. In his short service, he traveled to many duty stations, including Camp Elliott California - the site of today’s Marine Corps Air Center - Miramar, performing as a general seaman. Peter also served onboard the USS Shelikof (AVP-52), a Barnegat-class small seaplane tender. During the Second World War, the American and Japanese Navies built several seaplane tenders to supplement their aircraft carrier fleets. However, these ships often had their catapults removed and were used as support vessels that operated seaplanes from harbors rather than in a seaway. These aircraft were generally for long-range reconnaissance patrols. The tenders allowed the aircraft to be rapidly deployed to new bases because their runways did not have to be constructed, and support facilities were mobile, much like supply ships for submarines or destroyers. S2c Kurts also served aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) aircraft carrier home-ported in Pensacola, Florida. Peter and the Ranger served as the training carrier for new pilots, flight crews, and ships company. Peters Ranger was the first U.S. vessel designed and built from the keel up as a carrier and the first aircraft carrier named USS Ranger, followed by the San Diego-based CV-61. Peter was released from service after 14 months of active duty as the US post-war drawdown slowed service members to return to civilian life.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Peter Kurtz - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy S2c World War 2 Mr. Peter Kurtz enlisted in the Navy and attended Bootcamp at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, in 1945. Peter enlisted to become a Hospital Corpsman but did not attend Corpsman school due to the draw-down in forces in 1945 at the end of the war. Peter served on active duty as a Seaman Second Class (S2c) until the end of his enlistment. In his short service, he traveled to many duty stations, including Camp Elliott California - the site of today’s Marine Corps Air Center - Miramar, performing as a general seaman. Peter also served onboard the USS Shelikof (AVP-52), a Barnegat-class small seaplane tender. During the Second World War, the American and Japanese Navies built several seaplane tenders to supplement their aircraft carrier fleets. However, these ships often had their catapults removed and were used as support vessels that operated seaplanes from harbors rather than in a seaway. These aircraft were generally for long-range reconnaissance patrols. The tenders allowed the aircraft to be rapidly deployed to new bases because their runways did not have to be constructed, and support facilities were mobile, much like supply ships for submarines or destroyers. S2c Kurts also served aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) aircraft carrier home-ported in Pensacola, Florida. Peter and the Ranger served as the training carrier for new pilots, flight crews, and ships company. Peters Ranger was the first U.S. vessel designed and built from the keel up as a carrier and the first aircraft carrier named USS Ranger, followed by the San Diego-based CV-61. Peter was released from service after 14 months of active duty as the US post-war drawdown slowed service members to return to civilian life.