Juan Estrada - 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 PFC World War 2 Juan Estrada joined the US Army as a Mexican citizen in December 1943. Juan attended boot camp and advanced infantry training (AIT) and was assigned as an Infantryman with his unit at Camp Beauregard, a Louisiana National Guard installation. “I always carried a rifle, always.” was a repeated statement from this soldier as he talked about his M1 Grand and the training he and his fellow soldiers received in AIT. Juan served with the 3rd Armored Division of the 36th Infantry Division (ID). "Spearhead" was adopted as the nickname of the 3rd Armored Division in recognition of the division's role as the spearhead of many attacks during the liberation of France in 1944. Juan served with the 3rdArmored Division through the North of France into the Rhénanie, eventually securing its liberation from German occupation. As an infantry soldier assigned to a heavy armored division with light and heavy tanks, Juan and the infantry supported the 32nd Armored Regiment. He remembers his unit was just full of kids. “We were all just kids,” Juan remembered spending three months on a temporary assignment away from the front. The unit was moved to France, where he was on cemetery duties, painting crosses for the fallen. Juan Estrada rejoined his unit and received his Combat Infantry Badge and his second Bronze Star in September 1945 for ground combat operations in Europe at Hurtgen and the Bulge with the first penetration into Germany. The 36th ID later served on the Battle of the Bulge's Northern Front, securing Cologne on March 7. The division's last major fighting was the Battle of Dessau, which the division captured on 23 April 1945 after three days of combat. Juan spent many days as part of a forward recon unit while the 3rd moved into Germany. Many of these included minor skirmishes with the young German soldiers as the front advanced into Berlin. Juan and the 36th revised multiple Presidential Unit Citations during WW2 along with his victory medley and Combat Entry Badge. It was not until 1946 that Juan became a Citizen of the United States. Privet First Class Juan Estrada returned to the United States aboard the Queen Mary, known at the time as “the Grey Ghost.” He was demobilized and later worked as an aircraft mechanic at NAS Corpus Christy, TX, and later at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Juan retired after 39 years of service.
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Juan Estrada - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army PFC World War 2 Juan Estrada joined the US Army as a Mexican citizen in December 1943. Juan attended boot camp and advanced infantry training (AIT) and was assigned as an Infantryman with his unit at Camp Beauregard, a Louisiana National Guard installation. “I always carried a rifle, always.” was a repeated statement from this soldier as he talked about his M1 Grand and the training he and his fellow soldiers received in AIT. Juan served with the 3rd Armored Division of the 36th Infantry Division (ID). "Spearhead" was adopted as the nickname of the 3rd Armored Division in recognition of the division's role as the spearhead of many attacks during the liberation of France in 1944. Juan served with the 3rdArmored Division through the North of France into the Rhénanie, eventually securing its liberation from German occupation. As an infantry soldier assigned to a heavy armored division with light and heavy tanks, Juan and the infantry supported the 32nd Armored Regiment. He remembers his unit was just full of kids. “We were all just kids,” Juan remembered spending three months on a temporary assignment away from the front. The unit was moved to France, where he was on cemetery duties, painting crosses for the fallen. Juan Estrada rejoined his unit and received his Combat Infantry Badge and his second Bronze Star in September 1945 for ground combat operations in Europe at Hurtgen and the Bulge with the first penetration into Germany. The 36th ID later served on the Battle of the Bulge's Northern Front, securing Cologne on March 7. The division's last major fighting was the Battle of Dessau, which the division captured on 23 April 1945 after three days of combat. Juan spent many days as part of a forward recon unit while the 3rd moved into Germany. Many of these included minor skirmishes with the young German soldiers as the front advanced into Berlin. Juan and the 36th revised multiple Presidential Unit Citations during WW2 along with his victory medley and Combat Entry Badge. It was not until 1946 that Juan became a Citizen of the United States. Privet First Class Juan Estrada returned to the United States aboard the Queen Mary, known at the time as “the Grey Ghost.” He was demobilized and later worked as an aircraft mechanic at NAS Corpus Christy, TX, and later at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Juan retired after 39 years of service.