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.
United States Navy
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG)
Korean War
John “Jack” Palacios was born in Pasadena, California, on October 2, 1932. As the son of a minister, he grew up moving between various churches throughout California. After graduating from Wilson High School in 1949, he attended Long Beach State College, where he studied music. Jack volunteered for the Naval Aviation Cadet Program (NAVCAD), a unique initiative that allowed volunteers to complete their entire flight school as non-commissioned candidates.
On May 20, 1953, Jack began his NAVCAD flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. His rigorous program started with a four-week Officer Candidate School, followed by pre-flight and general aviation studies. He then progressed to Primary Flight Training, where he learned to fly the North American Aviation AT-6 Texan (SNJ). Next came a two-part Basic Flight Training, focusing on instrument flying and night navigation.
Cadet Palacios then advanced to multi-engine flight training at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Kansas. This phase involved training in a twin-engine Beechcraft, followed by larger S2F Grumman Trackers and Lockheed P2V Neptunes, both twin-engine anti-submarine warfare aircraft. This extensive training took over a year to complete, culminating in his commissioning as Ensign Palacios, receiving his pilot wings and an assignment to the fleet.
Jack then reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) on Naval Air Station North Island, in San Diego, California, for specialized aircraft training on the Lockheed P-2V-5 Neptune, a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. He was subsequently assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP-6), the “Blue Sharks,” stationed at NAS Barber’s Point, Hawaii. In March, he joined the squadron, which was deployed to Kodiak Naval Operating Base, flying 12- to 14-hour patrols along the Aleutian Islands. In May, the squadron returned south to Hawaii, where he remained on active duty until 1956.
Jack married Gloria in Long Beach, California, and she traveled by the SS Lurline to join him in Hawaii. They had three daughters. Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Palacios was honorably discharged on May 18, 1957, after four years of service, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
After his military service, Jack returned to Long Beach State College, earning his BA in Music and Music History. He began his teaching career at Long Beach Junior High School, then at Jefferson Junior High. After completing his Master’s degree, he taught Orchestra at Lakewood High School before moving to Petaluma, California, where he taught for 32 years, establishing the first marching and jazz bands.
United States Navy
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG)
Korean War
John “Jack” Palacios was born in Pasadena, California, on October 2, 1932. As the son of a minister, he grew up moving between various churches throughout California. After graduating from Wilson High School in 1949, he attended Long Beach State College, where he studied music. Jack volunteered for the Naval Aviation Cadet Program (NAVCAD), a unique initiative that allowed volunteers to complete their entire flight school as non-commissioned candidates.
On May 20, 1953, Jack began his NAVCAD flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. His rigorous program started with a four-week Officer Candidate School, followed by pre-flight and general aviation studies. He then progressed to Primary Flight Training, where he learned to fly the North American Aviation AT-6 Texan (SNJ). Next came a two-part Basic Flight Training, focusing on instrument flying and night navigation.
Cadet Palacios then advanced to multi-engine flight training at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Kansas. This phase involved training in a twin-engine Beechcraft, followed by larger S2F Grumman Trackers and Lockheed P2V Neptunes, both twin-engine anti-submarine warfare aircraft. This extensive training took over a year to complete, culminating in his commissioning as Ensign Palacios, receiving his pilot wings and an assignment to the fleet.
Jack then reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) on Naval Air Station North Island, in San Diego, California, for specialized aircraft training on the Lockheed P-2V-5 Neptune, a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. He was subsequently assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP-6), the “Blue Sharks,” stationed at NAS Barber’s Point, Hawaii. In March, he joined the squadron, which was deployed to Kodiak Naval Operating Base, flying 12- to 14-hour patrols along the Aleutian Islands. In May, the squadron returned south to Hawaii, where he remained on active duty until 1956.
Jack married Gloria in Long Beach, California, and she traveled by the SS Lurline to join him in Hawaii. They had three daughters. Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Palacios was honorably discharged on May 18, 1957, after four years of service, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
After his military service, Jack returned to Long Beach State College, earning his BA in Music and Music History. He began his teaching career at Long Beach Junior High School, then at Jefferson Junior High. After completing his Master’s degree, he taught Orchestra at Lakewood High School before moving to Petaluma, California, where he taught for 32 years, establishing the first marching and jazz bands.
