Winnie Lamar Pendley - 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.

Copyright © 2024 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
US Navy MS3 Korean War Winnie Lamar Pendley was born on July 1, 1932, and grew up in Holtville, California, a Mexican border town. He came from a farming family and learned to drive early by operating a tractor on the farm. In the 11th grade, he left school to help the family on the farm full-time. In 1951, Lamar left for Camp Elliot in San Diego, California, for in-processing and initial training. Seaman Recruit Pendley reported for boot camp at the Recruit Training Center RTC in San Diego. Upon completion, Seaman Pendley reported to Treasure Island in San Francisco for assignment to the Pacific Fleet. Lamar was assigned to the USS Brush DD-745, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer currently deployed overseas supporting the Korean War. Lamar took his first flight in an airplane to Yokosuka, Japan, followed by a three-day train ride south to Sasebo, Japan, to catch his ship while in port collecting supplies. Seamen Pendley was assigned to the deck department on the ship, responsible for ship operations and upkeep, including standing watch on the helm and Lee helm, driving the ship while underway. He worked on deck for a few months before he asked the ship's Chief cook if he could be transferred to learn the duties of a Navy Cook. He worked with the cook for six months, striking into the Navy rate of Mess Cook Seamen. Seaman Pendley was assigned to the USS Brush and its galley for three years, where the crew effectively called him “Soup”. USS Brush operated as part of the Wonsan harbor blockade, or the Wonsan Siege. The famous “Hidden Guns” fired at the ships blocking the harbor and then moved position to avoid return fire. On May 15, USS Brush was struck on the forward gun mount, making it inoperable and wounding nine Sailors, many of them were Lamar’s friends. Lamar made three deployments to support the Korean War, earning three battle stars with USS Brush during Korean operations. With six months left on his enlistment, Lamar was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class. He transferred to USS Helena CL-50, a light cruiser home-ported in San Diego, and enjoyed every day aboard the larger ship with the additional help in the bigger galleys. Petty Officer Pendley was Honorably Discharged from the service at Naval Station Long Beach. Petty Officer Pendley was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, Lamar worked with his mom at her malt shop in Apple Vally as a groundskeeper for many years. One day, he decided to become a truck driver and held that job for the next 42 years. He eventually worked as an owner-operator of his own truck and drove for Interstate Van Lines. He married his lovely wife Joanna for 33 years and has two daughters and one son.
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Winnie Lamar Pendley - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy MS3 Korean War Winnie Lamar Pendley was born on July 1, 1932, and grew up in Holtville, California, a Mexican border town. He came from a farming family and learned to drive early by operating a tractor on the farm. In the 11th grade, he left school to help the family on the farm full-time. In 1951, Lamar left for Camp Elliot in San Diego, California, for in-processing and initial training. Seaman Recruit Pendley reported for boot camp at the Recruit Training Center RTC in San Diego. Upon completion, Seaman Pendley reported to Treasure Island in San Francisco for assignment to the Pacific Fleet. Lamar was assigned to the USS Brush DD-745, an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer currently deployed overseas supporting the Korean War. Lamar took his first flight in an airplane to Yokosuka, Japan, followed by a three-day train ride south to Sasebo, Japan, to catch his ship while in port collecting supplies. Seamen Pendley was assigned to the deck department on the ship, responsible for ship operations and upkeep, including standing watch on the helm and Lee helm, driving the ship while underway. He worked on deck for a few months before he asked the ship's Chief cook if he could be transferred to learn the duties of a Navy Cook. He worked with the cook for six months, striking into the Navy rate of Mess Cook Seamen. Seaman Pendley was assigned to the USS Brush and its galley for three years, where the crew effectively called him “Soup”. USS Brush operated as part of the Wonsan harbor blockade, or the Wonsan Siege. The famous “Hidden Guns” fired at the ships blocking the harbor and then moved position to avoid return fire. On May 15, USS Brush was struck on the forward gun mount, making it inoperable and wounding nine Sailors, many of them were Lamar’s friends. Lamar made three deployments to support the Korean War, earning three battle stars with USS Brush during Korean operations. With six months left on his enlistment, Lamar was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class. He transferred to USS Helena CL-50, a light cruiser home-ported in San Diego, and enjoyed every day aboard the larger ship with the additional help in the bigger galleys. Petty Officer Pendley was Honorably Discharged from the service at Naval Station Long Beach. Petty Officer Pendley was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, Lamar worked with his mom at her malt shop in Apple Vally as a groundskeeper for many years. One day, he decided to become a truck driver and held that job for the next 42 years. He eventually worked as an owner-operator of his own truck and drove for Interstate Van Lines. He married his lovely wife Joanna for 33 years and has two daughters and one son.