John West - 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 SGT World War 2 Dr. John West Enlisted in the US Army in Jan of 1944 as an 18-year-old Private. After completing basic training, PVT West attended Parachute School today, the United States Army Airborne School, at Ft. Benning, GA. He trained in the Ground, tower, and jump week phases of training, receiving his jump wings, aka Parachutist Badge. He then moved to the three months of Medical Technician (combat medic) Training. He was then assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. The 505th was garrisoned and trained for the upcoming Europe theater campaign in Ft. Benning, GA. PVT John West shipped out with the replacement troops to Scotland in January 1945 and jumped with the 82nd Airborne into Germany just after the Battle of the Bulge for the Ardennes Counteroffensive. John and the 82nd continued combat operations in Germany, helping secure the Ruhr. PVT West and the 505th Paratroopers were also recognized for the liberation of the Wöbbelin camp. This was a camp for Russian POWs, and Jews moved back from the advancing front as Germany was losing the war. The 82nd liberated the camp, cared for the living and honored the dead using the town square as a grave site. After the combat operation, John served two more years in Germany with the occupation forces. SGT John West was awarded a Bronze Star and left the Army as a Sargent in 1946. John used his GI bill to attend medical school, continuing his life of service and care. He became a doctor and then a surgeon. He was appointed as the chief of surgery at Sharp Grossmont Hospital until he retired in 1999. After retirement, he continued caring for humanity and built a clinic in China to help Cambodian and Vietnam refugees. He served at his clinic with the staff for many years.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
John West - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army SGT World War 2 Dr. John West Enlisted in the US Army in Jan of 1944 as an 18-year-old Private. After completing basic training, PVT West attended Parachute School today, the United States Army Airborne School, at Ft. Benning, GA. He trained in the Ground, tower, and jump week phases of training, receiving his jump wings, aka Parachutist Badge. He then moved to the three months of Medical Technician (combat medic) Training. He was then assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. The 505th was garrisoned and trained for the upcoming Europe theater campaign in Ft. Benning, GA. PVT John West shipped out with the replacement troops to Scotland in January 1945 and jumped with the 82nd Airborne into Germany just after the Battle of the Bulge for the Ardennes Counteroffensive. John and the 82nd continued combat operations in Germany, helping secure the Ruhr. PVT West and the 505th Paratroopers were also recognized for the liberation of the Wöbbelin camp. This was a camp for Russian POWs, and Jews moved back from the advancing front as Germany was losing the war. The 82nd liberated the camp, cared for the living and honored the dead using the town square as a grave site. After the combat operation, John served two more years in Germany with the occupation forces. SGT John West was awarded a Bronze Star and left the Army as a Sargent in 1946. John used his GI bill to attend medical school, continuing his life of service and care. He became a doctor and then a surgeon. He was appointed as the chief of surgery at Sharp Grossmont Hospital until he retired in 1999. After retirement, he continued caring for humanity and built a clinic in China to help Cambodian and Vietnam refugees. He served at his clinic with the staff for many years.