Don Durran - 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.

US Army Air Corps SGT World War 2 Mr. Don Durran served in the US Army Air Corps during World War 2 from February 1944 to March 1945. After graduating High School, Don enlisted at the age of 17. His parents had to sign their permission for him to enlist.  Don attended the Aviation Cadet Training Program and proudly displayed his training Pilot photo.  The Cadet pipeline for fighter pilots closed down on Don while he was attending training in May of 1945 toward the war's end. Don was reassigned and became a remote-control turret operator for The Boeing B-29 Super-fortress.  B-29s had a pressurized hull and were designed for high-altitude strategic bombing. The B-29 could have one machine gunner, like Don, who would operate four remote machine gun turrets, each armed with two 50 cal Browning M2 machine guns with the Central Fire Control System. The gunner operated and targeted the oncoming fighters from a bubble in the top of the aircraft. Don learned that he could simultaneously operate two guns at one target. Don was released from the Air Corps after his obligated service was complete. Don continued his love of flying and aircraft and became a private pilot after he was released from military service. Don continued flying Cessna for many years into his retirement.
Veteran,NIK,WW2
Don Durran - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army Air Corps SGT World War 2 Mr. Don Durran served in the US Army Air Corps during World War 2 from February 1944 to March 1945. After graduating High School, Don enlisted at the age of 17. His parents had to sign their permission for him to enlist.  Don attended the Aviation Cadet Training Program and proudly displayed his training Pilot photo.  The Cadet pipeline for fighter pilots closed down on Don while he was attending training in May of 1945 toward the war's end. Don was reassigned and became a remote-control turret operator for The Boeing B-29 Super-fortress.  B-29s had a pressurized hull and were designed for high-altitude strategic bombing. The B-29 could have one machine gunner, like Don, who would operate four remote machine gun turrets, each armed with two 50 cal Browning M2 machine guns with the Central Fire Control System. The gunner operated and targeted the oncoming fighters from a bubble in the top of the aircraft. Don learned that he could simultaneously operate two guns at one target. Don was released from the Air Corps after his obligated service was complete. Don continued his love of flying and aircraft and became a private pilot after he was released from military service. Don continued flying Cessna for many years into his retirement.