Leonard Penner - 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 PVT World War 2 Private Leonard “Joe” Penner was born on April 17th, 1925, and was drafted into the US Army, serving from July 1943 to 1945. He reported to Dayton, Ohio, for service induction before shipping off to attend boot camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, along with approximately 125,000 other GIs joining the war effort. He then attended Advanced Infantry Training (AIT). Leonard noted that he loved riding the train between boot camp and his training command. He started his military career assigned to the 79th Field Artillery Unit, a unit assigned to Ft. Brag with an illustrious history. While at the 79th, he was transferred to Ft. Crook, where he attended Ordinance Automotive School. Private Penner became acquainted with the transport vehicles used in combat to move artillery pieces, supplies, and fuel around the battlefield and keep in range with the moving front lines. He also learned cover and concealment for the trucks and the artillery pieces they carried. He remembered his primary job was protecting the drivers during transit, along with prolonging oil usage and setting up secure station locations. A month before the armistice was signed, Leonard was released from active duty with an honorable discharge. After being discharged, Mr. Penner entered a company's sales division. This company made plumbing supplies. He worked for that company as a traveling sales force member until he was married and chose to give up traveling. He then became the dining manager at the famed Friars Club.
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Leonard Penner - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army PVT World War 2 Private Leonard “Joe” Penner was born on April 17th, 1925, and was drafted into the US Army, serving from July 1943 to 1945. He reported to Dayton, Ohio, for service induction before shipping off to attend boot camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, along with approximately 125,000 other GIs joining the war effort. He then attended Advanced Infantry Training (AIT). Leonard noted that he loved riding the train between boot camp and his training command. He started his military career assigned to the 79th Field Artillery Unit, a unit assigned to Ft. Brag with an illustrious history. While at the 79th, he was transferred to Ft. Crook, where he attended Ordinance Automotive School. Private Penner became acquainted with the transport vehicles used in combat to move artillery pieces, supplies, and fuel around the battlefield and keep in range with the moving front lines. He also learned cover and concealment for the trucks and the artillery pieces they carried. He remembered his primary job was protecting the drivers during transit, along with prolonging oil usage and setting up secure station locations. A month before the armistice was signed, Leonard was released from active duty with an honorable discharge. After being discharged, Mr. Penner entered a company's sales division. This company made plumbing supplies. He worked for that company as a traveling sales force member until he was married and chose to give up traveling. He then became the dining manager at the famed Friars Club.