Don Wilhelm - 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.

Copyright © 2024 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
Don Wilhelm - Navy - GMSN US Navy GMSN World War 2 Don Wilhelm served in the US Navy for two years, from 1945 to 1947.  Don attended Basic training, aka Boot Camp, and was immediately assigned to a ship. Don had to meet his ship overseas by riding a troop transport across the Pacific for a few weeks to join the forward-deployed ship. Don reported to the USS Boston (CA-69), a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser operating in the Pacific Fleet. Don was a Seaman until the day he saw Sailors working on a big 5-inch gun and asked what it would take to become a Gunners-Mate.  Don was then reassigned to the weapons department to strike into the rate of Gunner's Mate. Don joined the ship in Eniwetok when USS Boston joined TF 38 for further raids on the Japanese home islands (20 July – 15 August), including the bombardment of Kamaishi, Honshū (9 August). Following the Japanese surrender, the ship remained in the Far East on occupation duty until 28 February 1946. She then returned to the United States and was placed out of commission and in reserve at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on October 29, 1946. Don finished his Naval duties in the US after the ship returned. Don rose to the rank of E3 before his discharge from service with the drawdown in forces at the war's end. After the Navy, Don found his first job in the phone book and started working with an architectural firm that he cold called.  He eventually used his GI bill to attend training and apprenticed with that firm, having the owner as a mentor staying in the field.
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Don Wilhelm - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
Don Wilhelm - Navy - GMSN US Navy GMSN World War 2 Don Wilhelm served in the US Navy for two years, from 1945 to 1947.  Don attended Basic training, aka Boot Camp, and was immediately assigned to a ship. Don had to meet his ship overseas by riding a troop transport across the Pacific for a few weeks to join the forward-deployed ship. Don reported to the USS Boston (CA-69), a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser operating in the Pacific Fleet. Don was a Seaman until the day he saw Sailors working on a big 5-inch gun and asked what it would take to become a Gunners-Mate.  Don was then reassigned to the weapons department to strike into the rate of Gunner's Mate. Don joined the ship in Eniwetok when USS Boston joined TF 38 for further raids on the Japanese home islands (20 July – 15 August), including the bombardment of Kamaishi, Honshū (9 August). Following the Japanese surrender, the ship remained in the Far East on occupation duty until 28 February 1946. She then returned to the United States and was placed out of commission and in reserve at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on October 29, 1946. Don finished his Naval duties in the US after the ship returned. Don rose to the rank of E3 before his discharge from service with the drawdown in forces at the war's end. After the Navy, Don found his first job in the phone book and started working with an architectural firm that he cold called.  He eventually used his GI bill to attend training and apprenticed with that firm, having the owner as a mentor staying in the field.