Ruth Dobbins - 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 © 2025 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
United States Navy Personnelman Petty Officer Third Class (PN3) Korean War Ruth Dobbins was born on October 13, 1929, and grew up in Newfoundland, New Jersey. At 21, she left San Mateo Union High School to join the U.S. Navy. On February 14, 1950, she shipped off to boot camp at the Naval Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. After graduating, Seaman Dobbins was assigned to the War College at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk. This institution trains senior military officers, Department of Defense civilians, and international personnel for high-level command and strategic roles. As a Personnelman Seaman (PNSN), Ruth’s duties involved working with enlisted ratings advancement exams. She and her team used early IBM computers, operating data cards to input information on service members at the War College. When the War College offices relocated back to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Ruth requested a transfer to avoid the cold Chicago winters she remembered from boot camp. She was approved to transfer to the base Chaplain’s Office at Naval Air Station Norfolk. Working for Chaplain Kleckner, Ruth’s duties included typing correspondence and, more notably, contacting service members who needed to check in with their families. She often described this tracking down as “detective work,” attempting to locate the service member and determine why they had not been in contact with family. Following the end of the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced “Project 60,000,” a post-war force reduction that allowed for early discharges. Ruth was honorably discharged on December 10, 1953. She received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After her military service, Ruth secured a job with the telephone company. She worked in administration, managing billing and mailing tasks, until she started her full-time studies at Paterson State College to earn her degree in education. She graduated in 1954 with a BA in primary education and then moved to California to teach at Charter Oak in Covina. She taught there for 31 years.
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Ruth Dobbins - Korean War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Navy Personnelman Petty Officer Third Class (PN3) Korean War Ruth Dobbins was born on October 13, 1929, and grew up in Newfoundland, New Jersey. At 21, she left San Mateo Union High School to join the U.S. Navy. On February 14, 1950, she shipped off to boot camp at the Naval Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. After graduating, Seaman Dobbins was assigned to the War College at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk. This institution trains senior military officers, Department of Defense civilians, and international personnel for high-level command and strategic roles. As a Personnelman Seaman (PNSN), Ruth’s duties involved working with enlisted ratings advancement exams. She and her team used early IBM computers, operating data cards to input information on service members at the War College. When the War College offices relocated back to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Ruth requested a transfer to avoid the cold Chicago winters she remembered from boot camp. She was approved to transfer to the base Chaplain’s Office at Naval Air Station Norfolk. Working for Chaplain Kleckner, Ruth’s duties included typing correspondence and, more notably, contacting service members who needed to check in with their families. She often described this tracking down as “detective work,” attempting to locate the service member and determine why they had not been in contact with family. Following the end of the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced “Project 60,000,” a post-war force reduction that allowed for early discharges. Ruth was honorably discharged on December 10, 1953. She received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After her military service, Ruth secured a job with the telephone company. She worked in administration, managing billing and mailing tasks, until she started her full-time studies at Paterson State College to earn her degree in education. She graduated in 1954 with a BA in primary education and then moved to California to teach at Charter Oak in Covina. She taught there for 31 years.