Claude Gill - 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.

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United States Army Private First Class (PFC) Korean War Claude W. Gill was born in Shasta County, California,  on July 2, 1932.  He came from a large ranching family and graduated from Shasta High School in Redding, California.  In 1953, at 20 years old, Claude left for boot camp at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Maryland. After graduation, Private Gill enjoyed a tourist trip to Washington, D.C., to take in the sights of the nation’s capital.  Shortly after his time off, Claude had to report to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend eight weeks of Engineering Equipment Repair, Metal Body Repair, School from August to October 1953. Upon completing his schooling, Claude reported to Korea and worked for a SCARWAF unit.  SCARWAF stands for Special Category Army Personnel with Air Force. It refers to Army personnel assigned to the operational control of the Air Force, particularly during the Korean War.  These SCARWAF units were primarily involved in airfield engineering.  Claude was assigned to the 222 Maintenance Company and assigned the duties of an Equipment Inspector. He learned to drive all vehicle types in his unit, from Jeeps to heavy construction equipment.  His inspections included test driving, with and without trailers.  Claude held 22 unique driver certifications. He was with the 222 in Korea for one year and remembered having to check out of the Air Force unit before he could check out of the Army to end his tour. Claude had another year of enlistment and was assigned duty at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas. He continued with SCARWAF as a vehicle and equipment inspector at the newly taken-over Air Force base.  The old army base needed an airfield, and they built one for the new space race test.  This new 30-inch-thick cement runway had to have over three feet of concrete at its ends. Private Claude Gill was honorably discharged from the Army and awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal. He returned to California and enjoyed a 30-day road trip that included the Carlsbad Caverns, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, and a visit to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. After his discharge, Claude returned to being a rancher.  He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly, enjoying 67 years together, and they have one daughter.  They grew their herd and lands and raised their daughter on the ranch.
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Claude Gill - Korean War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Army Private First Class (PFC) Korean War Claude W. Gill was born in Shasta County, California,  on July 2, 1932.  He came from a large ranching family and graduated from Shasta High School in Redding, California.  In 1953, at 20 years old, Claude left for boot camp at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Maryland. After graduation, Private Gill enjoyed a tourist trip to Washington, D.C., to take in the sights of the nation’s capital.  Shortly after his time off, Claude had to report to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend eight weeks of Engineering Equipment Repair, Metal Body Repair, School from August to October 1953. Upon completing his schooling, Claude reported to Korea and worked for a SCARWAF unit.  SCARWAF stands for Special Category Army Personnel with Air Force. It refers to Army personnel assigned to the operational control of the Air Force, particularly during the Korean War.  These SCARWAF units were primarily involved in airfield engineering.  Claude was assigned to the 222 Maintenance Company and assigned the duties of an Equipment Inspector. He learned to drive all vehicle types in his unit, from Jeeps to heavy construction equipment.  His inspections included test driving, with and without trailers.  Claude held 22 unique driver certifications. He was with the 222 in Korea for one year and remembered having to check out of the Air Force unit before he could check out of the Army to end his tour. Claude had another year of enlistment and was assigned duty at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas. He continued with SCARWAF as a vehicle and equipment inspector at the newly taken-over Air Force base.  The old army base needed an airfield, and they built one for the new space race test.  This new 30-inch-thick cement runway had to have over three feet of concrete at its ends. Private Claude Gill was honorably discharged from the Army and awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal. He returned to California and enjoyed a 30-day road trip that included the Carlsbad Caverns, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, and a visit to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. After his discharge, Claude returned to being a rancher.  He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly, enjoying 67 years together, and they have one daughter.  They grew their herd and lands and raised their daughter on the ranch.