Eugene Martinson - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Korean War

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the Korean War

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 CPL Korean War Eugene Martinson was born on September 15th, 1930, and grew up in Wataga, IL; as one of seven kids, he worked summers for a local farmer from 14 to 17 and at the local train yard. He graduated from high school in 1948 at 17 and enlisted in the Army on August 5, 1948, following his best friend Jug signing up. Eugene attended boot camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, graduating after eight weeks. He attended Fort Lee, VA, for Clerk school and graduated before being assigned to Ota Japan with the 99th Field Artillery Battalion, service unit of the 1st Cavalry Division. As a clerk, he worked with the ammo department, accounting for all expenditures and training. He remembered a hike up Mount Fuji with the old lava around the sides of the mountain. He and a friend got caught off the trail, sliding down the lava gravel. On 18th July 1950, the 1st Cavalry moved into Korea 23 days after North Korea had invaded the south. The 24th Division was in trouble at the Battle of Taejon, and the 1st Cavalry was sent to support operations as part of the Pusan Perimeter north of Taegu. Some days, Eugene was drafted into duties as an ammo driver to deliver equipment up the mountain. He recalls one day unloading at a howitzer battery up the hill, throwing boxes off the truck when someone missed catching one; they stopped throwing boxes after that. His convoy would be delayed at a battery a few times, and CPL Martinson remembers trying to sleep at a battery area. The air pressure pushed him into the ground each time the howitzer went off. Eugene served in Korea for approximately 11 months after receiving his rotation orders in May to return to the States. Eugene returned from his post-deployment leave and was assigned a Truman year. Eugene served with a self-propelled Howitzer National Guard unit in Fort Knox, Kt., where he continued as a battery clerk. CPL Martinson was released from active duty on May 4, 1952, after three years and nine months.
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Eugene Martinson - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army CPL Korean War Eugene Martinson was born on September 15th, 1930, and grew up in Wataga, IL; as one of seven kids, he worked summers for a local farmer from 14 to 17 and at the local train yard. He graduated from high school in 1948 at 17 and enlisted in the Army on August 5, 1948, following his best friend Jug signing up. Eugene attended boot camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, graduating after eight weeks. He attended Fort Lee, VA, for Clerk school and graduated before being assigned to Ota Japan with the 99th Field Artillery Battalion, service unit of the 1st Cavalry Division. As a clerk, he worked with the ammo department, accounting for all expenditures and training. He remembered a hike up Mount Fuji with the old lava around the sides of the mountain. He and a friend got caught off the trail, sliding down the lava gravel. On 18th July 1950, the 1st Cavalry moved into Korea 23 days after North Korea had invaded the south. The 24th Division was in trouble at the Battle of Taejon, and the 1st Cavalry was sent to support operations as part of the Pusan Perimeter north of Taegu. Some days, Eugene was drafted into duties as an ammo driver to deliver equipment up the mountain. He recalls one day unloading at a howitzer battery up the hill, throwing boxes off the truck when someone missed catching one; they stopped throwing boxes after that. His convoy would be delayed at a battery a few times, and CPL Martinson remembers trying to sleep at a battery area. The air pressure pushed him into the ground each time the howitzer went off. Eugene served in Korea for approximately 11 months after receiving his rotation orders in May to return to the States. Eugene returned from his post-deployment leave and was assigned a Truman year. Eugene served with a self-propelled Howitzer National Guard unit in Fort Knox, Kt., where he continued as a battery clerk. CPL Martinson was released from active duty on May 4, 1952, after three years and nine months.