Stanford Smith - 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
U.S Air Force Staff Sergeant (Technician) Korean War Stanford Smith was born and raised in Long Beach, California, on July 20, 1930. He graduated from Fortuna Union High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Stanford took flying lessons while still in high school, inspired by his mother's love of flight. Stanford reported to Air Force basic training in Texas on October 17, 1950, for a shortened boot camp before reporting to Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona. He attended Aircraft Mechanic School for about one year, and by the end of his schooling, Stanford had advanced to the rank of Airman First Class. A1C Stanford stayed at Williams Field and was assigned to work with the 3525th Periodic Maintenance Squadron from December 1950 to June 1951. Stanford and the 3525th worked on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star American subsonic two-seat jet trainer, which was used to train pilots with the 3525th Pilot Training Wing. From November 1951 to February 1952, Stanford worked in aircraft electronics at the Air Force Training Command at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. One day, Stanford was called into the office and informed that he had been promoted to Staff Sergeant and was offered a good set of orders if he would stay in the service. However, he and his soon-to-be wife Joan, who was working at the Base PX, decided not to stay in the Air Force. Stanford got to fly in the back seat of the T-33 for maintenance flights. In the photo behind him, he was in the back seat of the lead aircraft TR-095, heading to an air show demonstration where he and the pilots set up a recruiting demonstration about the training squadron at Williams Air Force Base. After four years of enlistment, SSgt Smith's service time was completed on October 16, 1954, when he was honorably discharged. Stanford was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Stanford returned to farming, worked in the lumber industry with Pacific Lumber, and learned to operate heavy lift equipment. He married Joan Zitwall from the PX, and they shared 70 beautiful years together and had three children.
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Stanford Smith - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
U.S Air Force Staff Sergeant (Technician) Korean War Stanford Smith was born and raised in Long Beach, California, on July 20, 1930. He graduated from Fortuna Union High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Stanford took flying lessons while still in high school, inspired by his mother's love of flight. Stanford reported to Air Force basic training in Texas on October 17, 1950, for a shortened boot camp before reporting to Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona. He attended Aircraft Mechanic School for about one year, and by the end of his schooling, Stanford had advanced to the rank of Airman First Class. A1C Stanford stayed at Williams Field and was assigned to work with the 3525th Periodic Maintenance Squadron from December 1950 to June 1951. Stanford and the 3525th worked on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star American subsonic two-seat jet trainer, which was used to train pilots with the 3525th Pilot Training Wing. From November 1951 to February 1952, Stanford worked in aircraft electronics at the Air Force Training Command at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. One day, Stanford was called into the office and informed that he had been promoted to Staff Sergeant and was offered a good set of orders if he would stay in the service. However, he and his soon-to-be wife Joan, who was working at the Base PX, decided not to stay in the Air Force. Stanford got to fly in the back seat of the T-33 for maintenance flights. In the photo behind him, he was in the back seat of the lead aircraft TR-095, heading to an air show demonstration where he and the pilots set up a recruiting demonstration about the training squadron at Williams Air Force Base. After four years of enlistment, SSgt Smith's service time was completed on October 16, 1954, when he was honorably discharged. Stanford was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Stanford returned to farming, worked in the lumber industry with Pacific Lumber, and learned to operate heavy lift equipment. He married Joan Zitwall from the PX, and they shared 70 beautiful years together and had three children.