Leland Ritter - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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World War 2

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the World War 2.

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
US Marine Corps Lt. Col. World War 2 - Korea - Vietnam Leland C. Ritter Jr. served 25 years with the Navy and the Marine Corps. Leland was born on 20 Jan 1922 and enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Flight Cadet assigned to pre-flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS), Livermore, CA. Here he learned to fly in the N3N-1, “Yellow Peril,” a biplane that he had already flown in civilian life, contributing to his early success in the military. He then reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for additional flight training in the Consolidated PBY Catalina “flying boat.” After completion, he was selected for service in the United States Marine Corps. His first flying assignment was at Marine Air Station (MAS), El Toro, CA., where he was assigned to fly the Vought F4U Corsair. Leland served with VMA-331, MAG-13, on Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, from 20 January 1945 to 12 November 1945. He was assigned to a Dive-bomber squadron and flew the Douglas SBD Dauntless, the Corsair, and the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver bomber. Leland remembers receiving an Air Medal in October of 1945 for capturing two surrendering Japanese soldiers from his plane; It's a remarkable long story. After World War 2, he was assigned to become a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) Officer. He reported back in Pensacola, Fl. At GCA school, he learned to assist pilots in landing aircraft when visibility is minimal, using radar and radio communications, a new innovation. He reported back to El Toro Station as a GCA officer. When the Korean War began, he was assigned to a new unit that maintained radar equipment, and on 16 July 1950, he was deployed to Korea. They landed their radar units at Inchon at high tide with no resistance and made it to the airfield with the help of a local. During the Korean War, Leland was the Officer in Charge of the GCA as a 1st Lieutenant. Lt. Col. Leland Ritter retired from active duty on 31 July 1968. He was married and had three children.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Leland Ritter - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Marine Corps Lt. Col. World War 2 - Korea - Vietnam Leland C. Ritter Jr. served 25 years with the Navy and the Marine Corps. Leland was born on 20 Jan 1922 and enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Flight Cadet assigned to pre-flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS), Livermore, CA. Here he learned to fly in the N3N-1, “Yellow Peril,” a biplane that he had already flown in civilian life, contributing to his early success in the military. He then reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for additional flight training in the Consolidated PBY Catalina “flying boat.” After completion, he was selected for service in the United States Marine Corps. His first flying assignment was at Marine Air Station (MAS), El Toro, CA., where he was assigned to fly the Vought F4U Corsair. Leland served with VMA-331, MAG-13, on Majuro, in the Marshall Islands, from 20 January 1945 to 12 November 1945. He was assigned to a Dive-bomber squadron and flew the Douglas SBD Dauntless, the Corsair, and the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver bomber. Leland remembers receiving an Air Medal in October of 1945 for capturing two surrendering Japanese soldiers from his plane; It's a remarkable long story. After World War 2, he was assigned to become a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) Officer. He reported back in Pensacola, Fl. At GCA school, he learned to assist pilots in landing aircraft when visibility is minimal, using radar and radio communications, a new innovation. He reported back to El Toro Station as a GCA officer. When the Korean War began, he was assigned to a new unit that maintained radar equipment, and on 16 July 1950, he was deployed to Korea. They landed their radar units at Inchon at high tide with no resistance and made it to the airfield with the help of a local. During the Korean War, Leland was the Officer in Charge of the GCA as a 1st Lieutenant. Lt. Col. Leland Ritter retired from active duty on 31 July 1968. He was married and had three children.