Samuel Nickens - 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 Navy LCDR World War 2 - Korean War - Vietnam War Samuel Nickens was born in Miller’s Ferry, Alabama, on January 29, 1922, and grew up in Selma, AL. He was drafted while attending college in March 1943 and was selected to serve in the US Navy for the following 30 years, from 1943 to 1973. Through his extensive military career, Samuel rose from Seamen Apprentice to Petty Officer and was selected as a Chief Petty Officer before being selected as a Warrant Officer (CWO.) He then received a commission and was appointed as a Limited Duty Officer before ending his 30 years of service as a Lieutenant Commander. Samuel worked in the administrative arm of the Navy for all of his 30 years. Seaman Recruit Nickens attended boot camp at Great Lakes during the later days of World War 2. He followed that with Yeoman A School and B School in San Diego. Samuel served at his first command at Radio Material with 12 sailors on board a Coast Guard station. Samuel was then assigned to duties on his first ship, the USS Lejeune (AP-74). It was a troop transport ship, and Samuel served as a ship's Yeoman. One of the duties he remembers fondly was after combat operations concluded from World War 2. He remembered returning combat soldiers home to the US and reuniting families. After he witnessed these reunions, the ship would turn around to bring additional occupational relief forces overseas. Later, during the occupations, he facilitated the transportation of the initial group of families of service members stationed overseas, ensuring their reunion with loved ones on foreign soil. These families had remained to collaborate with the occupational forces. During the Korean War, Samuel worked for Vice Adm George P. Steele, Commander of Naval Forces Korea in 1968 as the Admiral Aid. Samuel was also stationed in the Philippine Islands at the naval bases in Cuba and Guam, as well as one tour in Japan. He additionally had many duty stations in the United States, including the ships USS Essex and USS Kearsarge. He retired while stationed in Hawaii, working for the Admiral of the recommissioned 3rd Fleet, Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Samuel Nickens served in 3 wars - World War 2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War and was promoted 11 times.
Mickey,Strand,photograph,Portrait,World,War,WW2,service,member,Veterans,Portriat,Series,VPS,collection,California,Home,Nikon,D850,Z7ii,San,Diego
Samuel Nickens - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy LCDR World War 2 - Korean War - Vietnam War Samuel Nickens was born in Miller’s Ferry, Alabama, on January 29, 1922, and grew up in Selma, AL. He was drafted while attending college in March 1943 and was selected to serve in the US Navy for the following 30 years, from 1943 to 1973. Through his extensive military career, Samuel rose from Seamen Apprentice to Petty Officer and was selected as a Chief Petty Officer before being selected as a Warrant Officer (CWO.) He then received a commission and was appointed as a Limited Duty Officer before ending his 30 years of service as a Lieutenant Commander. Samuel worked in the administrative arm of the Navy for all of his 30 years. Seaman Recruit Nickens attended boot camp at Great Lakes during the later days of World War 2. He followed that with Yeoman A School and B School in San Diego. Samuel served at his first command at Radio Material with 12 sailors on board a Coast Guard station. Samuel was then assigned to duties on his first ship, the USS Lejeune (AP-74). It was a troop transport ship, and Samuel served as a ship's Yeoman. One of the duties he remembers fondly was after combat operations concluded from World War 2. He remembered returning combat soldiers home to the US and reuniting families. After he witnessed these reunions, the ship would turn around to bring additional occupational relief forces overseas. Later, during the occupations, he facilitated the transportation of the initial group of families of service members stationed overseas, ensuring their reunion with loved ones on foreign soil. These families had remained to collaborate with the occupational forces. During the Korean War, Samuel worked for Vice Adm George P. Steele, Commander of Naval Forces Korea in 1968 as the Admiral Aid. Samuel was also stationed in the Philippine Islands at the naval bases in Cuba and Guam, as well as one tour in Japan. He additionally had many duty stations in the United States, including the ships USS Essex and USS Kearsarge. He retired while stationed in Hawaii, working for the Admiral of the recommissioned 3rd Fleet, Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Samuel Nickens served in 3 wars - World War 2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War and was promoted 11 times.