Robert Ellhamer - 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 Army Air Corps Captain World War II Captain Robert Ellhamer was born on June 1, 1925, and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Due to the war, Robert attended a quick basic training followed by testing and qualifications for flight duty. Robert received a commission in the Army Air Corps before his general assignment, where he learned how to operate his aircraft. During the war, Robert served in the Dutch East Indies (today called Indonesia) with the 22nd Bombardment Group. The 22nd trained in the Mojave Desert at Duroc Army Airfield, qualifying all crew members in aircraft operations, air-to-air combat, and bomb-run training missions. They patrolled and trained out of Hickam Field, Hawaii, before shipping off to Brisbane, Australia, to prepare for the war in the Pacific Islands. Robert was the navigator and bombardier officer, flying as a Consolidated B-24 Liberator Airplane crew member. His crew of 10 airmen flew 31 combat missions before their tours were complete. During these missions, most lasting over ten hours, his seat was behind the pilot, but he also occasionally had to double in service as a nose gunner manning the 30-caliber Browning M1919 machine guns. Robert remembered flying as part of the Dutch East Indies campaign. On 5 April 1942, the 22nd took off from Garbutt Field for its first combat action, an attack on Rabaul in New Britain (North of New Guinea). The group was tasked to bomb Japanese airfields, shipping, and oil installations in Borneo, Ceram, and Halmahera. It began raiding the southern Philippines in September 1944 to neutralize Japanese bases in preparation for the invasion of Leyte. From December 1944 to August 1945, the group struck airfields and installations on Luzon, supported Australian ground forces on Borneo, and bombed railways and industries in Formosa and China. Near the war's end, the 22nd moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and flew some armed reconnaissance missions over southern Japan. Robert remained with the 22nd and continued flying with his crew until Japan's formal surrender. After returning to the States, Robert elected to remain on active reserve duty and continued serving in the reserves for 15 years. Robert was in the Army Air Corps Reserve in September of 1947, when it transitioned into the US Air Force Reserve. He continued to fly and train with many units until he was honorably discharged.
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Robert Ellhamer - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Army Air Corps Captain World War II Captain Robert Ellhamer was born on June 1, 1925, and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Due to the war, Robert attended a quick basic training followed by testing and qualifications for flight duty. Robert received a commission in the Army Air Corps before his general assignment, where he learned how to operate his aircraft. During the war, Robert served in the Dutch East Indies (today called Indonesia) with the 22nd Bombardment Group. The 22nd trained in the Mojave Desert at Duroc Army Airfield, qualifying all crew members in aircraft operations, air-to-air combat, and bomb-run training missions. They patrolled and trained out of Hickam Field, Hawaii, before shipping off to Brisbane, Australia, to prepare for the war in the Pacific Islands. Robert was the navigator and bombardier officer, flying as a Consolidated B-24 Liberator Airplane crew member. His crew of 10 airmen flew 31 combat missions before their tours were complete. During these missions, most lasting over ten hours, his seat was behind the pilot, but he also occasionally had to double in service as a nose gunner manning the 30-caliber Browning M1919 machine guns. Robert remembered flying as part of the Dutch East Indies campaign. On 5 April 1942, the 22nd took off from Garbutt Field for its first combat action, an attack on Rabaul in New Britain (North of New Guinea). The group was tasked to bomb Japanese airfields, shipping, and oil installations in Borneo, Ceram, and Halmahera. It began raiding the southern Philippines in September 1944 to neutralize Japanese bases in preparation for the invasion of Leyte. From December 1944 to August 1945, the group struck airfields and installations on Luzon, supported Australian ground forces on Borneo, and bombed railways and industries in Formosa and China. Near the war's end, the 22nd moved to Okinawa in August 1945 and flew some armed reconnaissance missions over southern Japan. Robert remained with the 22nd and continued flying with his crew until Japan's formal surrender. After returning to the States, Robert elected to remain on active reserve duty and continued serving in the reserves for 15 years. Robert was in the Army Air Corps Reserve in September of 1947, when it transitioned into the US Air Force Reserve. He continued to fly and train with many units until he was honorably discharged.