Vaughn Steen - 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
Vaughn Steen - Army - T/5 US Army T/5 World War 2 Vaughn Steen served in the US Army for two years at the end of World War II and rose to the rank of Tech Sergeant (T-5). Vaughn Served with a construction unit as part of the Eighth U.S. Army. The Eights were officially activated in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 10, 1944.  Vaughn attended basic training, aka Boot Camp, and Advanced Infantry training (AIT) in Tennessee.  Eighth Army was preparing for Operation Coronet, which was to make the main assault against Tokyo, when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. With the subsequent surrender of the Japanese, the Eighth Army’s mission was changed from one of assault to one of occupation. Vaughn was stationed in Seoul, Korea, in early 1945.  The Eighth Army had assets all over the Pacific area of operation (AOR). He was assigned to a construction unit responsible for building and remodeling hospital buildings used as evacuation units.  Vaughn oversaw a small unit of men.  He fondly remembered many US Nurses who staffed these hospital buildings. General Army duties like standing watch with his M1 Garand and walking the fence line filled the nights Vaughn spent in Korea.  He was also assigned general duties when not busy with the construction or rehabilitation of the old base.  Vaughn recalled an incident with a Republic of Korea (ROK) soldier walking the other side of the fence.  The misunderstanding almost escalated into a shootout, but Vaughn was able to de-escalate the situation before something horribly bad occurred.  He thought both sides took their duties seriously and that a language barrier and what lumber was still needed as part of a construction project almost caused a bigger problem. Vaughn returned to the States honorably meeting his enlisted service's obligation.
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Vaughn Steen - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
Vaughn Steen - Army - T/5 US Army T/5 World War 2 Vaughn Steen served in the US Army for two years at the end of World War II and rose to the rank of Tech Sergeant (T-5). Vaughn Served with a construction unit as part of the Eighth U.S. Army. The Eights were officially activated in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 10, 1944.  Vaughn attended basic training, aka Boot Camp, and Advanced Infantry training (AIT) in Tennessee.  Eighth Army was preparing for Operation Coronet, which was to make the main assault against Tokyo, when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. With the subsequent surrender of the Japanese, the Eighth Army’s mission was changed from one of assault to one of occupation. Vaughn was stationed in Seoul, Korea, in early 1945.  The Eighth Army had assets all over the Pacific area of operation (AOR). He was assigned to a construction unit responsible for building and remodeling hospital buildings used as evacuation units.  Vaughn oversaw a small unit of men.  He fondly remembered many US Nurses who staffed these hospital buildings. General Army duties like standing watch with his M1 Garand and walking the fence line filled the nights Vaughn spent in Korea.  He was also assigned general duties when not busy with the construction or rehabilitation of the old base.  Vaughn recalled an incident with a Republic of Korea (ROK) soldier walking the other side of the fence.  The misunderstanding almost escalated into a shootout, but Vaughn was able to de-escalate the situation before something horribly bad occurred.  He thought both sides took their duties seriously and that a language barrier and what lumber was still needed as part of a construction project almost caused a bigger problem. Vaughn returned to the States honorably meeting his enlisted service's obligation.