Kenneth Thumma - 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 YN3 World War 2 Born on October 27th, 1925, Kenneth Thumma grew up in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and was drafted into the US Navy serving from 1943 to 1946 After graduating high school, Kenneth was drafted and selected for service in the US Navy. He attended boot camp and his Navy “A” school, where he learned to become a Navy Yeoman. In the modern Navy, a Yeoman is an enlisted service member who performs administrative and clerical work. He continued his post-school Navy life in Norfolk, VA, on the USS Wyoming (BB-32), a Dreadnought Battleship that had been converted to train Atlantic fleet sailors in gunnery training before being assigned to their command. He then put to sea with an LST flotilla of 20 ships heading to France. Landing Ship, Tank (LST), or tank landing ship, is the naval designation for ships developed to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, and cargo. The ship’s mission is to land troops directly onto a low-slope beach without docks or piers. The shallow draft, bow doors, and ramps enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach. At 18 years old, Kenneth was part of the Utah division and participated in the D-Day Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, at Utah Beach. He recounts the excitement of the battle but also the vision of the soldiers as sitting ducks for the German troops as they were going ashore. He assisted in loading the small craft, initially going ashore, and ensuring they were loaded with the right men and stores before the LST could make it to shore. Three years after the completion of the war in Europe, he was honorably discharged. Kenneth became a carpenter after the war. He opened his own business and operated it for many years. He is an active member of his community, as a member of the Masonic Lodge, Harrisburg Zembo Shrine, and a Volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
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Kenneth Thumma - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy YN3 World War 2 Born on October 27th, 1925, Kenneth Thumma grew up in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and was drafted into the US Navy serving from 1943 to 1946 After graduating high school, Kenneth was drafted and selected for service in the US Navy. He attended boot camp and his Navy “A” school, where he learned to become a Navy Yeoman. In the modern Navy, a Yeoman is an enlisted service member who performs administrative and clerical work. He continued his post-school Navy life in Norfolk, VA, on the USS Wyoming (BB-32), a Dreadnought Battleship that had been converted to train Atlantic fleet sailors in gunnery training before being assigned to their command. He then put to sea with an LST flotilla of 20 ships heading to France. Landing Ship, Tank (LST), or tank landing ship, is the naval designation for ships developed to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, and cargo. The ship’s mission is to land troops directly onto a low-slope beach without docks or piers. The shallow draft, bow doors, and ramps enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach. At 18 years old, Kenneth was part of the Utah division and participated in the D-Day Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, at Utah Beach. He recounts the excitement of the battle but also the vision of the soldiers as sitting ducks for the German troops as they were going ashore. He assisted in loading the small craft, initially going ashore, and ensuring they were loaded with the right men and stores before the LST could make it to shore. Three years after the completion of the war in Europe, he was honorably discharged. Kenneth became a carpenter after the war. He opened his own business and operated it for many years. He is an active member of his community, as a member of the Masonic Lodge, Harrisburg Zembo Shrine, and a Volunteer for Meals on Wheels.