Claude McCasland - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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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.

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US Army CPL(P) Korean War Claude Havens McCasland was born in Levelland, Texas, on July 21, 1930, and grew up in Terrell, Texas. He graduated early from Terrell High School, having passed his GED test, allowing him to enlist in the Army on July 11th, 1949, for a three-year enlistment. He was encouraged to join by his cousin who, an Army man himself, looked so darn good in his uniform. They both joined, served in the Army, and eventually met up in Korea. Private McCasland entered the Army, reporting first to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for Basic Training for eight weeks. He then reported to AIT at Fort Bliss to earn his MOS or military occupation specialty as a 3603 Antiaircraft Artillery Cannoneer. Claud was shipped to Seattle so he could transit to Korea and report to his unit. He rode the USS General W. M. Black, a Squire-class transport ship left over from WW2 operated by the Coast Guard for the US Navy that could carry about 3500 troops to Sasebo, Japan. Private McCasland was assigned to Battery D of the 78th Field Artillery Regiment. They mustered in Japan, awaiting the invasion. His unit landed on the beach in Pusan, Korea, to reoccupy the Korean peninsula. Claude was a member of a 90 mm, M1 heavy anti-aircraft and anti-tank gun designed to be towed into position by a truck or a tank. On 24 August 1951, Claude was promoted to Corporal. Later in November, he was involved in an operation north of the 38th that was so heavy they were using his AAA guns to back up the field artillery units, shooting forward instead of up. They had used all their ammunition and then were overrun. He had to demo his gun and blow it up so it was not used by the enemy. Claude’s unit ran south, evading capture on foot until he found a tank unit and caught a ride. He remembered this was after Thanksgiving and how cold the winter was in the field. They were reassigned to an Air Force base for a few months to recuperate and protect near Seoul. Claude enjoyed the Air Force base and all its trappings. He shipped back to the States and reported to the El Paso, Texas National Guard. He became an instructor for that unit. Claude met his wife, Ms. Maryland Unis. After three years, five months, and ten days in the Army, he was honorably discharged on June 20, 1952, the same day Claude and Maryland were married. They were together for 62 years and had four beautiful children. Claude was awarded the Korean Service Medal with five bronze campaign stars and the National Defense Medal. He used his GI Bill to attend school in Dallas, Texas. Deciding Dallas was not for them, they moved to Riverside, California. Claude worked in the restaurant business as a manager for many years. He built a home in Barstow and loved living there. He delivered bread in the trucking industry for the rest of his career.
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Claude McCasland - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army CPL(P) Korean War Claude Havens McCasland was born in Levelland, Texas, on July 21, 1930, and grew up in Terrell, Texas. He graduated early from Terrell High School, having passed his GED test, allowing him to enlist in the Army on July 11th, 1949, for a three-year enlistment. He was encouraged to join by his cousin who, an Army man himself, looked so darn good in his uniform. They both joined, served in the Army, and eventually met up in Korea. Private McCasland entered the Army, reporting first to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for Basic Training for eight weeks. He then reported to AIT at Fort Bliss to earn his MOS or military occupation specialty as a 3603 Antiaircraft Artillery Cannoneer. Claud was shipped to Seattle so he could transit to Korea and report to his unit. He rode the USS General W. M. Black, a Squire-class transport ship left over from WW2 operated by the Coast Guard for the US Navy that could carry about 3500 troops to Sasebo, Japan. Private McCasland was assigned to Battery D of the 78th Field Artillery Regiment. They mustered in Japan, awaiting the invasion. His unit landed on the beach in Pusan, Korea, to reoccupy the Korean peninsula. Claude was a member of a 90 mm, M1 heavy anti-aircraft and anti-tank gun designed to be towed into position by a truck or a tank. On 24 August 1951, Claude was promoted to Corporal. Later in November, he was involved in an operation north of the 38th that was so heavy they were using his AAA guns to back up the field artillery units, shooting forward instead of up. They had used all their ammunition and then were overrun. He had to demo his gun and blow it up so it was not used by the enemy. Claude’s unit ran south, evading capture on foot until he found a tank unit and caught a ride. He remembered this was after Thanksgiving and how cold the winter was in the field. They were reassigned to an Air Force base for a few months to recuperate and protect near Seoul. Claude enjoyed the Air Force base and all its trappings. He shipped back to the States and reported to the El Paso, Texas National Guard. He became an instructor for that unit. Claude met his wife, Ms. Maryland Unis. After three years, five months, and ten days in the Army, he was honorably discharged on June 20, 1952, the same day Claude and Maryland were married. They were together for 62 years and had four beautiful children. Claude was awarded the Korean Service Medal with five bronze campaign stars and the National Defense Medal. He used his GI Bill to attend school in Dallas, Texas. Deciding Dallas was not for them, they moved to Riverside, California. Claude worked in the restaurant business as a manager for many years. He built a home in Barstow and loved living there. He delivered bread in the trucking industry for the rest of his career.