Paul Guzman - 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.

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US Navy Underwater Demolition Technician (UDT) World War 2 Paul Guzman was born June 29, 1922, and enlisted in the US Navy on August 6, 1942, and served through June 29th, 1945. Paul served as an Underwater Demolition Technician (UDT). Paul was a lifeguard in high school, which helped in his selection for this duty. Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), or frogmen, were amphibious units created by the United States Navy during World War II with specialized non-tactical missions. They were predecessors of the Navy's current SEAL teams. Their primary WWII function began with reconnaissance and underwater demolition of natural or man-made obstacles obstructing amphibious landings. Paul attended boot camp in Great Lakes, IL., then reported to the Naval Submarine Base at New London, CT., to attend UDT school. Paul sailed on board the Queen Mary out of New York to get to Scotland with the rest of his platoon named “Lion 3”. After one month of training and preparations, his unit took a train down to London and then to the island of Portland Weymouth, directly across the channel from Utah Beach. His unit was separated to operate in support of various units during the D-Day invasion. Paul was selected to handle his unit's Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) boats. Paul was then assigned to work with Operation Pluto. Forces constructed and operated submarine oil pipelines under the English Channel, supporting Operation Overlord. It took divers like Paul to maintain and inspect the over 280 miles of pipeline from Shanklin-Chine England that landed at Cherbourg. Paul arrived on Utah Beach on D-Day +1, the second day of the invasion. He remembered building the pontoon bridges with the Sea Bees of the Naval Construction Battalion, allowing the larger ships to offload support further off the beach. Paul and his unit continued to support operations with underwater repairs and inspection for approximately one year. Paul was reassigned to San Diego to prepare for the invasion of Japan. During workups, they received news of Japan's surrender, and Paul was honorably discharged just after that. Paul used his GI bill to obtain an Electrical Engineering degree and was recalled to active duty in 1949 for the Korean War. As an Engineer, he worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, returning the mothball fleet to operational readiness. They updated the electronics from tube to solid state. Paul served his two years in Long Beach and was again honorably discharged.
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Paul Guzman - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy Underwater Demolition Technician (UDT) World War 2 Paul Guzman was born June 29, 1922, and enlisted in the US Navy on August 6, 1942, and served through June 29th, 1945. Paul served as an Underwater Demolition Technician (UDT). Paul was a lifeguard in high school, which helped in his selection for this duty. Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), or frogmen, were amphibious units created by the United States Navy during World War II with specialized non-tactical missions. They were predecessors of the Navy's current SEAL teams. Their primary WWII function began with reconnaissance and underwater demolition of natural or man-made obstacles obstructing amphibious landings. Paul attended boot camp in Great Lakes, IL., then reported to the Naval Submarine Base at New London, CT., to attend UDT school. Paul sailed on board the Queen Mary out of New York to get to Scotland with the rest of his platoon named “Lion 3”. After one month of training and preparations, his unit took a train down to London and then to the island of Portland Weymouth, directly across the channel from Utah Beach. His unit was separated to operate in support of various units during the D-Day invasion. Paul was selected to handle his unit's Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) boats. Paul was then assigned to work with Operation Pluto. Forces constructed and operated submarine oil pipelines under the English Channel, supporting Operation Overlord. It took divers like Paul to maintain and inspect the over 280 miles of pipeline from Shanklin-Chine England that landed at Cherbourg. Paul arrived on Utah Beach on D-Day +1, the second day of the invasion. He remembered building the pontoon bridges with the Sea Bees of the Naval Construction Battalion, allowing the larger ships to offload support further off the beach. Paul and his unit continued to support operations with underwater repairs and inspection for approximately one year. Paul was reassigned to San Diego to prepare for the invasion of Japan. During workups, they received news of Japan's surrender, and Paul was honorably discharged just after that. Paul used his GI bill to obtain an Electrical Engineering degree and was recalled to active duty in 1949 for the Korean War. As an Engineer, he worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, returning the mothball fleet to operational readiness. They updated the electronics from tube to solid state. Paul served his two years in Long Beach and was again honorably discharged.