Harley Smith - 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 Army Air Corps Co-Pilot Officer World War 2 Mr. Harley Smith graduated from high school and immediately joined the Army Air Corps to attend The Flying / Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program. Harleys Pilot / Co-pilot training program was at Keesler Army Airfield, Biloxi, Mississippi, today, Keesler Air Force Base. At Keesler Airfield, fighter and bomber co-pilots and their crews were trained in flight operations and aircraft safety.  Harley served as a Boeing B-17 Flight Fortress, Co-Pilot, or the aircraft's executive officer (XO) from 1944 to 1945. As the right seater or Co-Pilot, Harley flew the aircraft with the Pilot as a team; the heavy bomber was a lot of airplanes for one person to handle over long missions. Harley and his crew of ten operated the fastest and highest-flying bomber of its era. Harley's crew flew too many missions for him to remember the number accurately, but most crews were relieved of their wartime duties after 25 combat missions. The most famous B-17 was probably the Memphis Belle, but many crews flew over the required 25 as the war progressed and crews became scarce. After his service, Harley returned to Europe, joining the Royal Heirs Quartet, a male singing group, and toured Europe from 1945-50.  The Royal Heirs Quartet is still actively performing and traveling today. 
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Harley Smith - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army Air Corps Co-Pilot Officer World War 2 Mr. Harley Smith graduated from high school and immediately joined the Army Air Corps to attend The Flying / Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program. Harleys Pilot / Co-pilot training program was at Keesler Army Airfield, Biloxi, Mississippi, today, Keesler Air Force Base. At Keesler Airfield, fighter and bomber co-pilots and their crews were trained in flight operations and aircraft safety.  Harley served as a Boeing B-17 Flight Fortress, Co-Pilot, or the aircraft's executive officer (XO) from 1944 to 1945. As the right seater or Co-Pilot, Harley flew the aircraft with the Pilot as a team; the heavy bomber was a lot of airplanes for one person to handle over long missions. Harley and his crew of ten operated the fastest and highest-flying bomber of its era. Harley's crew flew too many missions for him to remember the number accurately, but most crews were relieved of their wartime duties after 25 combat missions. The most famous B-17 was probably the Memphis Belle, but many crews flew over the required 25 as the war progressed and crews became scarce. After his service, Harley returned to Europe, joining the Royal Heirs Quartet, a male singing group, and toured Europe from 1945-50.  The Royal Heirs Quartet is still actively performing and traveling today.