Frederick Bennett - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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 Army Air Corps SGT World War 2 Frederick C. Bennett served in the US Army Air Corps from February 25th, 1943, to January 31st, 1946. Fred joined the service after graduating from Santa Ana, CA, High School. Fred took a train to Atlantic City, where the Army Air Corps had taken over the Presidents Hotel and other hotels along the boardwalk, converting them to operate as quick training boot camps. The recruits marched on the boardwalk and trained up and down the beach. Fred then reported to technician training in Omaha, Nebraska, for High-speed radio operator school. His hands were too large for the typing needed, so he was reclassified to radar technician and reported to Milwaukee for electronics training and then to the only training school for the new and secret technology of Radar at Boca Raton Army Air Field. The 3501st Bomber Unit provided instruction courses for airborne radar operators, mechanics, and electronic officers. Fred learned to operate, test, and repair the LORAN Set Radar. After training, Fred reported to the troopship, USS General W. P. Richardson (AP-118), for transport to Italy. They arrived in Naples, Italy, before making a quick night trip in trucks across Italian county roads to his assigned unit, the 463rd Bomb Group stationed in Foggia, Italy. Fred's primary job was pre-flighting each plane's radar. He would test systems and conduct post-flight systems checks and repairs where needed. Fred lived at the airfield in a tent city along the side of the airfield and used aviation gas-burning stoves for heat. The 463rd Bomb Group, aka “The Swoose Group,” flew the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, attacking oil refineries and aircraft factory targets in Italy, Germany, and Austria. The 463rd received two Distinguished Unit Citations in May of 44 when clouds limited visibility so badly that the other groups turned back. The 463rd fought through clouds and flak to destroy the targets. The second was for leading the wing through three damaging enemy attacks to bomb tank factories in Berlin on 24 March 1945. At the end of combat operations in Europe, Sergeant Bennett was awarded R&R for a week in Switzerland. They took the train and enjoyed the Swiss people's hospitality and food. Sergeant Bennett was offered to move over to the B-29 system but had enough points to go home, so he decided to end his service and returned to the US on board the same troopship, USS General W. P. Richardson, that delivered him to Italy. After his service, he owned and operated a service station, “Bennett Brothers,” with his brother for a few years. Fred had three brothers who also served during WW2. One in the Navy, One in the Marine Corps, one in the Army, and he in the Army Air Corps made a full sweep.
Frederick Bennett - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army Air Corps SGT World War 2 Frederick C. Bennett served in the US Army Air Corps from February 25th, 1943, to January 31st, 1946. Fred joined the service after graduating from Santa Ana, CA, High School. Fred took a train to Atlantic City, where the Army Air Corps had taken over the Presidents Hotel and other hotels along the boardwalk, converting them to operate as quick training boot camps. The recruits marched on the boardwalk and trained up and down the beach. Fred then reported to technician training in Omaha, Nebraska, for High-speed radio operator school. His hands were too large for the typing needed, so he was reclassified to radar technician and reported to Milwaukee for electronics training and then to the only training school for the new and secret technology of Radar at Boca Raton Army Air Field. The 3501st Bomber Unit provided instruction courses for airborne radar operators, mechanics, and electronic officers. Fred learned to operate, test, and repair the LORAN Set Radar. After training, Fred reported to the troopship, USS General W. P. Richardson (AP-118), for transport to Italy. They arrived in Naples, Italy, before making a quick night trip in trucks across Italian county roads to his assigned unit, the 463rd Bomb Group stationed in Foggia, Italy. Fred's primary job was pre-flighting each plane's radar. He would test systems and conduct post-flight systems checks and repairs where needed. Fred lived at the airfield in a tent city along the side of the airfield and used aviation gas-burning stoves for heat. The 463rd Bomb Group, aka “The Swoose Group,” flew the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, attacking oil refineries and aircraft factory targets in Italy, Germany, and Austria. The 463rd received two Distinguished Unit Citations in May of 44 when clouds limited visibility so badly that the other groups turned back. The 463rd fought through clouds and flak to destroy the targets. The second was for leading the wing through three damaging enemy attacks to bomb tank factories in Berlin on 24 March 1945. At the end of combat operations in Europe, Sergeant Bennett was awarded R&R for a week in Switzerland. They took the train and enjoyed the Swiss people's hospitality and food. Sergeant Bennett was offered to move over to the B-29 system but had enough points to go home, so he decided to end his service and returned to the US on board the same troopship, USS General W. P. Richardson, that delivered him to Italy. After his service, he owned and operated a service station, “Bennett Brothers,” with his brother for a few years. Fred had three brothers who also served during WW2. One in the Navy, One in the Marine Corps, one in the Army, and he in the Army Air Corps made a full sweep.