Martin Nass - 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.

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US Navy RDM3 World War 2 Martin L. Nass, born on July 2, 1926, enlisted in June 1944 at 17 years old and served for two years until June 1946. Petty Officer Nass served as a radarman for two years on the USS Topeka CL-67, a Cleveland Class Light Cruiser. He was transferred from the ship's crew to Flag Plot when the vessel was reflagged as the Cruiser Division 18 (CD18) flag ship when Rear Admiral Carl Holden reported aboard in Hawaii. In June of 44, Martin said goodbye to Dad Nathan and Mom Ester in the Bronx and reported for basic training as SA Nass to Sampson, NY. He then attended three radar schools: First in Brigantine, NJ, then in Virginia Beach, where the Navy had converted the Cavalier Hotel into a radar school, and finally, Fleet service schools (Radar) in Little Creek, Virginia. Next, Martin reported to the USS Topeka in Boston before making a home port change to Long Beach, CA. Martin and the Topeka set sail for the western Pacific, joining Task Force 38 at Ulithi in the Western Carolines. They entered combat as part of the battle of Okinawa; Martin remembers many kamikaze attacks coming during those days. After the battle, the fleet returned to Leyte Gulf to prepare for the invasion of mainland Japan. They had some liberty on the beaches of Samar and even had a few beers. The task force left in July to sail north for the mainland invasion. The Topeka and Cruiser Division (CD-18) participated in one of the first raids on Tokyo, entering the bay at the entrance to Sagami Nada, firing at Japanese installations at Nojima Zaki with their four triple six-inch canons, as well as the six duel canon, and five-inch canons. Topeka was at sea when an announcement from the captain informed the crew of the atomic bomb attacks and, later, the second attack and the war's end. Martin and the Topeka stayed on the station, eventually pulling liberty in Japan. After the war, Martin and Topeka made a liberty port in Saipan when he was detached from the ship, returned home, and was separated from service.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Martin Nass - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy RDM3 World War 2 Martin L. Nass, born on July 2, 1926, enlisted in June 1944 at 17 years old and served for two years until June 1946. Petty Officer Nass served as a radarman for two years on the USS Topeka CL-67, a Cleveland Class Light Cruiser. He was transferred from the ship's crew to Flag Plot when the vessel was reflagged as the Cruiser Division 18 (CD18) flag ship when Rear Admiral Carl Holden reported aboard in Hawaii. In June of 44, Martin said goodbye to Dad Nathan and Mom Ester in the Bronx and reported for basic training as SA Nass to Sampson, NY. He then attended three radar schools: First in Brigantine, NJ, then in Virginia Beach, where the Navy had converted the Cavalier Hotel into a radar school, and finally, Fleet service schools (Radar) in Little Creek, Virginia. Next, Martin reported to the USS Topeka in Boston before making a home port change to Long Beach, CA. Martin and the Topeka set sail for the western Pacific, joining Task Force 38 at Ulithi in the Western Carolines. They entered combat as part of the battle of Okinawa; Martin remembers many kamikaze attacks coming during those days. After the battle, the fleet returned to Leyte Gulf to prepare for the invasion of mainland Japan. They had some liberty on the beaches of Samar and even had a few beers. The task force left in July to sail north for the mainland invasion. The Topeka and Cruiser Division (CD-18) participated in one of the first raids on Tokyo, entering the bay at the entrance to Sagami Nada, firing at Japanese installations at Nojima Zaki with their four triple six-inch canons, as well as the six duel canon, and five-inch canons. Topeka was at sea when an announcement from the captain informed the crew of the atomic bomb attacks and, later, the second attack and the war's end. Martin and the Topeka stayed on the station, eventually pulling liberty in Japan. After the war, Martin and Topeka made a liberty port in Saipan when he was detached from the ship, returned home, and was separated from service.