Eugene Stewart - 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
Eugene "Gene" Stewart<br />US Army<br />Sargent<br />World War II<br /><br /> Eugene "Gene" Stewart was born on Dec 18th, 1925. After graduating high school, Gene attended one year of college but decided to sign up for duty before his draft number came due. Gene tried to get into the Navy, but all recounted that all the spaces were full, so he joined the Army. <br /><br /> He attended boot camp in the South and then attended advanced individualized training to become a Mess Specialist, also known as a cook. <br /><br /> The ‘mess’ was organized on a company level. Each company HQ platoon counted an Admin, Mess &amp; Supply Section. The kitchen, or mess crew, is responsible for the preparation and serving of food and drinks to the members of the company. It generally consists of one Mess Sergeant (S/Sergeant), First Cook (T/4), Second Cook (T/5), and three assistant cooks (PFC or Pvt). The team is supervised by one of the company’s lieutenants, called the Mess Officer. After graduation from Mess Specialist training, Gene was assigned to report to his unit in England. <br /><br /> Gene sailed on the troop transport SS Manhattan to England and eventually ended up in Les CO' PEINT, France. There, he was assigned to work on the food drop replenishment capsules. These food drops to supplied US troops fighting in German-occupied Netherlands and Dutch areas in support of Operation Manna and Operation Chowhound. <br /><br /> Gene made his way with his unit into Paris and was able to walk to the Champs-Élysées. He was still in Paris for VE-Day and remembers getting “a little drunk that day!”<br /><br /> Gene had three older brothers who all served during World War II: two in the Army and one in the Marine Corps. One of his brothers passed away during the war.
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Eugene Stewart - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
Eugene "Gene" Stewart<br />US Army<br />Sargent<br />World War II<br /><br /> Eugene "Gene" Stewart was born on Dec 18th, 1925. After graduating high school, Gene attended one year of college but decided to sign up for duty before his draft number came due. Gene tried to get into the Navy, but all recounted that all the spaces were full, so he joined the Army. <br /><br /> He attended boot camp in the South and then attended advanced individualized training to become a Mess Specialist, also known as a cook. <br /><br /> The ‘mess’ was organized on a company level. Each company HQ platoon counted an Admin, Mess &amp; Supply Section. The kitchen, or mess crew, is responsible for the preparation and serving of food and drinks to the members of the company. It generally consists of one Mess Sergeant (S/Sergeant), First Cook (T/4), Second Cook (T/5), and three assistant cooks (PFC or Pvt). The team is supervised by one of the company’s lieutenants, called the Mess Officer. After graduation from Mess Specialist training, Gene was assigned to report to his unit in England. <br /><br /> Gene sailed on the troop transport SS Manhattan to England and eventually ended up in Les CO' PEINT, France. There, he was assigned to work on the food drop replenishment capsules. These food drops to supplied US troops fighting in German-occupied Netherlands and Dutch areas in support of Operation Manna and Operation Chowhound. <br /><br /> Gene made his way with his unit into Paris and was able to walk to the Champs-Élysées. He was still in Paris for VE-Day and remembers getting “a little drunk that day!”<br /><br /> Gene had three older brothers who all served during World War II: two in the Army and one in the Marine Corps. One of his brothers passed away during the war.