Larry A. Wickstrom - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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Vietnam War

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the Vietnam 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
United States Marine Corps Reserves Corporal (CPL) Vietnam War Larry A. Wickstrom was born in San Diego on August 20, 1942. Before attending college, he registered for the Selective Service. While attending San Diego State College, he chose to join the US Air Force ROTC and often recalled the countless flights of stairs at the Aztec Bowl during physical training with the SDSU unit. Feeling it was his duty to serve, he later joined the USMC reserves. He reported for recruit training on October 21, 1960, which was immediately followed by tank school. As a Tanker with the 4th Tank Battalion, US Marine Corps Reserve, stationed at Camp Elliott, Larry served as a crewman in an M48 Patton tank equipped with a 90mm cannon. He trained in all crew positions but considered himself a good gunner. He trained all over Southern California, from the beaches of Coronado to the hills of Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms. To complete school, Larry needed to work. He found a job working nights for Bank of America in the computer division, operating the ERMA (Electronic Recording Machine, Accounting) machines—a new computer technology that automated bookkeeping and check processing. This schedule enabled him to complete his degree program during the day while also serving in the USMC. In October 1962, as a 20-year-old Marine, he was assigned to the Naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis as part of “Operation Ortsac” (Castro spelled backward). He and the deployed Marines shipped their tanks to Florida, and their ship was being loaded and prepared for a potential Cuba invasion when the crisis was finally resolved. In June 1965, his unit was readying for deployment orders to Vietnam along with a massive call-up of troops. However, President Johnson ultimately canceled the activation of the reserve units. Corporal Larry Wickstrom was honorably discharged on October 20, 1966. He finished his bachelor’s degree in 1968 and later earned a Master’s in Public Administration in 1985. Larry married Beverly on October 6, 1985. His diverse career included work at the Bank, various schools, and the State of California, culminating in his role as an Appeals Representative for San Diego County. Larry retired from the County of San Diego on March 30, 2002.
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Larry A. Wickstrom - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
United States Marine Corps Reserves Corporal (CPL) Vietnam War Larry A. Wickstrom was born in San Diego on August 20, 1942. Before attending college, he registered for the Selective Service. While attending San Diego State College, he chose to join the US Air Force ROTC and often recalled the countless flights of stairs at the Aztec Bowl during physical training with the SDSU unit. Feeling it was his duty to serve, he later joined the USMC reserves. He reported for recruit training on October 21, 1960, which was immediately followed by tank school. As a Tanker with the 4th Tank Battalion, US Marine Corps Reserve, stationed at Camp Elliott, Larry served as a crewman in an M48 Patton tank equipped with a 90mm cannon. He trained in all crew positions but considered himself a good gunner. He trained all over Southern California, from the beaches of Coronado to the hills of Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms. To complete school, Larry needed to work. He found a job working nights for Bank of America in the computer division, operating the ERMA (Electronic Recording Machine, Accounting) machines—a new computer technology that automated bookkeeping and check processing. This schedule enabled him to complete his degree program during the day while also serving in the USMC. In October 1962, as a 20-year-old Marine, he was assigned to the Naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis as part of “Operation Ortsac” (Castro spelled backward). He and the deployed Marines shipped their tanks to Florida, and their ship was being loaded and prepared for a potential Cuba invasion when the crisis was finally resolved. In June 1965, his unit was readying for deployment orders to Vietnam along with a massive call-up of troops. However, President Johnson ultimately canceled the activation of the reserve units. Corporal Larry Wickstrom was honorably discharged on October 20, 1966. He finished his bachelor’s degree in 1968 and later earned a Master’s in Public Administration in 1985. Larry married Beverly on October 6, 1985. His diverse career included work at the Bank, various schools, and the State of California, culminating in his role as an Appeals Representative for San Diego County. Larry retired from the County of San Diego on March 30, 2002.