Roy Simpson - 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 Merchant Marines Corps SN World War 2 Roy Simpson entered the service in the US Merchant Marines during World War 2 at 17.  Roy shared a photo of him and his sweetheart, Phillis, whom he married just after Merchant Marines basic training.  Roy served with the Merchant Marines from 1945-1954 and reminded me that more than 9500 Merchant Marines were killed during World War 2, more than any other branch of the service until the Battle of Okinawa.  Roy and his crew of approximately 60 men served aboard the Josephine Shaw Lowell MC-2296, a liberty ship that transported troops and cargo across the Pacific. Roy served onboard as one of the Engine-man on the triple expansion steam engine and the two oil-fired boilers that provided all the power to the ship. She could make 11 knots when Roy was on the job. During the Battle of Okinawa, Roy’s General Quarters station was a loader for one of the eight Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft cannon stations. Roy reloaded the rounds canisters into the cannon for the gun operator. The battle was long, and everyone participated in clearing the sky and keeping the landings safe. In 1988, a US District Judge ruled that the Department of Defense’s views on USMM status were arbitrary and unfair, prompting the recognition of 245,000 mariners who served in specific defense capabilities between 1941-1945 as Veterans and eligible for GI Bill benefits.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Roy Simpson - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Merchant Marines Corps SN World War 2 Roy Simpson entered the service in the US Merchant Marines during World War 2 at 17.  Roy shared a photo of him and his sweetheart, Phillis, whom he married just after Merchant Marines basic training.  Roy served with the Merchant Marines from 1945-1954 and reminded me that more than 9500 Merchant Marines were killed during World War 2, more than any other branch of the service until the Battle of Okinawa.  Roy and his crew of approximately 60 men served aboard the Josephine Shaw Lowell MC-2296, a liberty ship that transported troops and cargo across the Pacific. Roy served onboard as one of the Engine-man on the triple expansion steam engine and the two oil-fired boilers that provided all the power to the ship. She could make 11 knots when Roy was on the job. During the Battle of Okinawa, Roy’s General Quarters station was a loader for one of the eight Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft cannon stations. Roy reloaded the rounds canisters into the cannon for the gun operator. The battle was long, and everyone participated in clearing the sky and keeping the landings safe. In 1988, a US District Judge ruled that the Department of Defense’s views on USMM status were arbitrary and unfair, prompting the recognition of 245,000 mariners who served in specific defense capabilities between 1941-1945 as Veterans and eligible for GI Bill benefits.