John Jack Poytress - Korean War - 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
John T “Jack” Poytress<br />United States Army<br />Specialist Four (SP4)<br />Korean War<br /><br />Born in Fresno, California, on March 20, 1937, John “Jack” Poytress grew up on a ranch and graduated from Adin High School in 1955. While working as a logger in Burney, California, he was drafted into the Army on July 6, 1960.<br /><br />Just two days later, on July 8, 1960, Jack reported to Fort Ord in Monterey Bay, California, for boot camp. Following that, he completed the Advanced Individual Training course at the Infantry Mortar Leader Course, also at Fort Ord. Here, he received hands-on instruction to become a heavy weapons infantryman, specifically an 81mm mortar man. Mortar crews like his were responsible for providing indirect fire support to infantry units, using the medium-weight 81mm mortar for long-range support within mortar platoons.<br /><br />Jack was then deployed to Munich, Germany, serving with the 24th Infantry Division as part of the occupational forces. For 18 months, he was stationed, trained, and drilled with Cold War battle groups, and he enjoyed his time there. He was promoted to Specialist, 4th Class (SP4 E-4) on October 24, 1961, completing his two years of mandatory service for drafted Army members.<br /><br />John “Jack” Poytress returned to the United States and was assigned to Company E, 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division for out-processing. He received an honorable discharge on June 21, 1962, after two years of active duty.<br /><br />After his service, Jack returned to the forest, working as an independent logger in California for over 40 years before retiring from climbing and cutting trees. He has been married to Carolyn since 1964, and they had two children. Early in their marriage, the family moved between logging camps with the work until their sons were old enough to attend school. They then settled in Burney, California, where they lived for over 47 years.
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John Jack Poytress - Korean War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
John T “Jack” Poytress<br />United States Army<br />Specialist Four (SP4)<br />Korean War<br /><br />Born in Fresno, California, on March 20, 1937, John “Jack” Poytress grew up on a ranch and graduated from Adin High School in 1955. While working as a logger in Burney, California, he was drafted into the Army on July 6, 1960.<br /><br />Just two days later, on July 8, 1960, Jack reported to Fort Ord in Monterey Bay, California, for boot camp. Following that, he completed the Advanced Individual Training course at the Infantry Mortar Leader Course, also at Fort Ord. Here, he received hands-on instruction to become a heavy weapons infantryman, specifically an 81mm mortar man. Mortar crews like his were responsible for providing indirect fire support to infantry units, using the medium-weight 81mm mortar for long-range support within mortar platoons.<br /><br />Jack was then deployed to Munich, Germany, serving with the 24th Infantry Division as part of the occupational forces. For 18 months, he was stationed, trained, and drilled with Cold War battle groups, and he enjoyed his time there. He was promoted to Specialist, 4th Class (SP4 E-4) on October 24, 1961, completing his two years of mandatory service for drafted Army members.<br /><br />John “Jack” Poytress returned to the United States and was assigned to Company E, 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division for out-processing. He received an honorable discharge on June 21, 1962, after two years of active duty.<br /><br />After his service, Jack returned to the forest, working as an independent logger in California for over 40 years before retiring from climbing and cutting trees. He has been married to Carolyn since 1964, and they had two children. Early in their marriage, the family moved between logging camps with the work until their sons were old enough to attend school. They then settled in Burney, California, where they lived for over 47 years.