Nathaniel Pickard - 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
U.S. NAVY Boatswain’s Mate Second Class World War II and Korean War Nathaniel was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma, on November 27, 1927. He grew up in Redding, California, graduated from Shasta High School in the summer of 1945, and was inducted into the Navy at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California. Abel Seaman Pickard reported for boot camp on September 6, 1945, at the Recruit Training Center in San Diego, California. After basic training, Seamen Second Class Pickard reported to Naval Station Treasure Island (NSTI). NSTI played an important role in the United States naval efforts during WWII, serving as a distribution and training site, and it was a major point of embarkation and debarkation for sailors and Marines going to and from the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the nickname “Gateway to the Pacific.” Nathaniel was assigned to USS LST-902, a Tank Landing Ship, one of approximately 100 enlisted and 10 officer ships company. The LST was designed to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, and cargo; and landing troops directly onto a low-slope beach with no docks or piers. The shallow draft, bow doors, and ramps enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach. LST-902 operated at Eniwetok and Saipan before arriving in Okinawa on July 28 as part of a 70-ship convoy. She discharged troops and cargo on August 5 and departed for Saipan until the Japanese surrender. Seaman First Class Nathaniel Pickard was honorably discharged in August 1946 but was recalled to service on November 17, 1950. He reported to his second ship, LST-1079, which was also recalled to service during the Korean War. He and the crew recertified the ship in San Diego, preparing her for sea. She was transferred to the East Coast for operations from Virginia to Florida. Nathaniel remembered operating all the way down to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Boatswain's Mate Second Class Petty Officer (BM2) Nathaniel Pickard was again honorably discharged after six and a half years on active duty in the Navy. Nathaniel returned to the forestry industry in northern California and was a truck driver for the United States Plywood Corporation. He was married to his lovely wife, Yvonne, and they had three children — Sandra, Steve, and Wayne.
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Nathaniel Pickard - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
U.S. NAVY Boatswain’s Mate Second Class World War II and Korean War Nathaniel was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma, on November 27, 1927. He grew up in Redding, California, graduated from Shasta High School in the summer of 1945, and was inducted into the Navy at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California. Abel Seaman Pickard reported for boot camp on September 6, 1945, at the Recruit Training Center in San Diego, California. After basic training, Seamen Second Class Pickard reported to Naval Station Treasure Island (NSTI). NSTI played an important role in the United States naval efforts during WWII, serving as a distribution and training site, and it was a major point of embarkation and debarkation for sailors and Marines going to and from the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the nickname “Gateway to the Pacific.” Nathaniel was assigned to USS LST-902, a Tank Landing Ship, one of approximately 100 enlisted and 10 officer ships company. The LST was designed to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, and cargo; and landing troops directly onto a low-slope beach with no docks or piers. The shallow draft, bow doors, and ramps enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach. LST-902 operated at Eniwetok and Saipan before arriving in Okinawa on July 28 as part of a 70-ship convoy. She discharged troops and cargo on August 5 and departed for Saipan until the Japanese surrender. Seaman First Class Nathaniel Pickard was honorably discharged in August 1946 but was recalled to service on November 17, 1950. He reported to his second ship, LST-1079, which was also recalled to service during the Korean War. He and the crew recertified the ship in San Diego, preparing her for sea. She was transferred to the East Coast for operations from Virginia to Florida. Nathaniel remembered operating all the way down to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Boatswain's Mate Second Class Petty Officer (BM2) Nathaniel Pickard was again honorably discharged after six and a half years on active duty in the Navy. Nathaniel returned to the forestry industry in northern California and was a truck driver for the United States Plywood Corporation. He was married to his lovely wife, Yvonne, and they had three children — Sandra, Steve, and Wayne.