Walter Brashear - 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 MM3 World War 2 Walter Everett Brashear was born on May 27, 1922, and served in the US Navy from October 10, 1942, until November 22, 1945. After graduating high school, Walter attended boot camp in October of ‘42 in San Diego, CA. He reported to Machinist's Mate A school, where he learned to operate and maintain steam turbines and reduction gear used for a ship’s propulsion and auxiliary machinery such as turbo generators, pumps, and oil purifiers. Walter was assigned to the USS Motive (AM-102), an Auk class minesweeper whose 100-member crew earned three battle stars during the war. Walter was a fireman and diesel mechanic in one of the two ships’ engine rooms. The USS Motive and Walter set sail out of Long Beach, California, for the Marshall Islands and continued operations with Task Force 52, commanded by Rear Admiral William H. P. Blandy, USN; they served as an Amphibious Support Force. The USS Motive operated as a convoy escort antisubmarine, screening patrols, and hydrographic surveys out of Peleliu, Palau, Guam, Eniwetok, Saipan, and then Iwo Jima, Japan. Walter remembered the main job as a mine sweeper was to pull a cutting cable behind the ship attached to the pig (floating shuttle) that cut the morning lines that anchored the mines. They would then blow up the floating mines with their 20 mm gun mounts. The ship and crew then conducted sweeping operations off the east coast of Saipan and undertook antisubmarine patrols. After VJ Day, the USS Motive served as an escort ship transiting back to Long Beach. Walter was honorably discharged after the war in November 1945. He was briefly recalled to serve on the shutdown crews aboard the Yard Minesweeper (YMS-54) and was again honorably discharged from active service after approximately a year and a half. Walter continued to serve in the reserves for a few years while attending college on the GI Bill, receiving a two-year degree as a machinist. He then worked for Indian Motorcycle and Harley Davidson in Milwaukee, building bikes, and was promoted to sales district manager.
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Walter Brashear - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
US Navy MM3 World War 2 Walter Everett Brashear was born on May 27, 1922, and served in the US Navy from October 10, 1942, until November 22, 1945. After graduating high school, Walter attended boot camp in October of ‘42 in San Diego, CA. He reported to Machinist's Mate A school, where he learned to operate and maintain steam turbines and reduction gear used for a ship’s propulsion and auxiliary machinery such as turbo generators, pumps, and oil purifiers. Walter was assigned to the USS Motive (AM-102), an Auk class minesweeper whose 100-member crew earned three battle stars during the war. Walter was a fireman and diesel mechanic in one of the two ships’ engine rooms. The USS Motive and Walter set sail out of Long Beach, California, for the Marshall Islands and continued operations with Task Force 52, commanded by Rear Admiral William H. P. Blandy, USN; they served as an Amphibious Support Force. The USS Motive operated as a convoy escort antisubmarine, screening patrols, and hydrographic surveys out of Peleliu, Palau, Guam, Eniwetok, Saipan, and then Iwo Jima, Japan. Walter remembered the main job as a mine sweeper was to pull a cutting cable behind the ship attached to the pig (floating shuttle) that cut the morning lines that anchored the mines. They would then blow up the floating mines with their 20 mm gun mounts. The ship and crew then conducted sweeping operations off the east coast of Saipan and undertook antisubmarine patrols. After VJ Day, the USS Motive served as an escort ship transiting back to Long Beach. Walter was honorably discharged after the war in November 1945. He was briefly recalled to serve on the shutdown crews aboard the Yard Minesweeper (YMS-54) and was again honorably discharged from active service after approximately a year and a half. Walter continued to serve in the reserves for a few years while attending college on the GI Bill, receiving a two-year degree as a machinist. He then worked for Indian Motorcycle and Harley Davidson in Milwaukee, building bikes, and was promoted to sales district manager.