Walt Travis - 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
US Marine Corps Sgt World War 2 Walt was born on January 12, 1924, in San Francisco, California. He graduated from Commerce High School and decided to be a US Marine before being drafted into the Army. In December 1942, he rode the California Coaster to attend boot camp at Recruit Training Depot, San Diego. Walt then attended Baking School (his father had owned a bakery) for six weeks in San Diego, learning to use gas-powered field stoves in tents to bake bread, before being assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF-115), attached to Marine Air Group 12. The squadron was home-ported at MCAS Santa Barbara, CA, and flew F4F Corsairs for Major Joseph Foss. Walt vividly recalls the events at Guadalcanal. He and his unit landed on the beach to secure the airfield at Laguna Point, later named Henderson Field, ensuring the squadron’s operational capability on the island. Their mission on Guadalcanal lasted approximately two months. After receiving the new F4U Corsair aircraft, the squadron jumped to Emirau Island and worked with Charles Limburg to improve the aircraft and its performance. After this, the squadron was transferred to Peleliu. The airfield was secured, but combat operations were still running the shortest bombing runs of the war until the caves and the rest of the island were secured. They loaded onto an LST to land with the invasion forces at Leyte in the Philippines, followed by the invasion of Zamboanga, Mindanao, working with the Army and Marines. Walt remembered working with the guerrilla forces to secure the forest. This was the final combat operation for Walt and the unit, and he remembered helping the civilian population. The Squadron contributed to the American victory by providing close-in air support, fighter cover, and deep air strikes. With over 18,000 flight hours during 5,856 combat sorties, VMF-115 was credited with shooting down 6½ enemy aircraft. Walt remembered trading jobs with a friend for a few weeks, allowing him to work as a ground crew member on the flight line with the aircraft. Walt was told his number was up and he would be returned to the US via a hospital ship. He and many of his unit were dealing with jungle diseases, including malaria. The ship returned to San Francisco and was taken to the Treasure Island Hospital for rehabilitation. Walt was transferred to the US Marine Corps separations center at Miramar, where he discovered the war was over. He enjoyed the VJ celebrations in Los Angeles before being discharged. Walt married his high school sweetheart Lorraine, and they had five children. They had a home in the Bay Area, and he worked with General Motors for 25 years. He currently enjoys spending time with his six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
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Walt Travis - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Marine Corps Sgt World War 2 Walt was born on January 12, 1924, in San Francisco, California. He graduated from Commerce High School and decided to be a US Marine before being drafted into the Army. In December 1942, he rode the California Coaster to attend boot camp at Recruit Training Depot, San Diego. Walt then attended Baking School (his father had owned a bakery) for six weeks in San Diego, learning to use gas-powered field stoves in tents to bake bread, before being assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF-115), attached to Marine Air Group 12. The squadron was home-ported at MCAS Santa Barbara, CA, and flew F4F Corsairs for Major Joseph Foss. Walt vividly recalls the events at Guadalcanal. He and his unit landed on the beach to secure the airfield at Laguna Point, later named Henderson Field, ensuring the squadron’s operational capability on the island. Their mission on Guadalcanal lasted approximately two months. After receiving the new F4U Corsair aircraft, the squadron jumped to Emirau Island and worked with Charles Limburg to improve the aircraft and its performance. After this, the squadron was transferred to Peleliu. The airfield was secured, but combat operations were still running the shortest bombing runs of the war until the caves and the rest of the island were secured. They loaded onto an LST to land with the invasion forces at Leyte in the Philippines, followed by the invasion of Zamboanga, Mindanao, working with the Army and Marines. Walt remembered working with the guerrilla forces to secure the forest. This was the final combat operation for Walt and the unit, and he remembered helping the civilian population. The Squadron contributed to the American victory by providing close-in air support, fighter cover, and deep air strikes. With over 18,000 flight hours during 5,856 combat sorties, VMF-115 was credited with shooting down 6½ enemy aircraft. Walt remembered trading jobs with a friend for a few weeks, allowing him to work as a ground crew member on the flight line with the aircraft. Walt was told his number was up and he would be returned to the US via a hospital ship. He and many of his unit were dealing with jungle diseases, including malaria. The ship returned to San Francisco and was taken to the Treasure Island Hospital for rehabilitation. Walt was transferred to the US Marine Corps separations center at Miramar, where he discovered the war was over. He enjoyed the VJ celebrations in Los Angeles before being discharged. Walt married his high school sweetheart Lorraine, and they had five children. They had a home in the Bay Area, and he worked with General Motors for 25 years. He currently enjoys spending time with his six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.