Stanley Parker - WW2 Veterans - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series View More Photos Skip to Main Content

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.

Stanley W. Parker<br />United States Marine Corps <br />Corporal (CPL)<br />World War II<br /><br />Born on November 29, 1926, Stanley W. Parker grew up in Burlingame, California. His mother raised him and his siblings after his father left home. In January 1944 at the age of 17, Stanley left San Mateo Union High School during his junior year, with his mother’s permission, to enlist in the Marine Corps. He then shipped off to boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot in San Diego, California.<br />After graduating from boot camp, Private Parker was assigned to Naval Air Station Miramar for aviation training, where he studied basic air operations and ground support. He was later transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, Goleta Field, joining the Marine Air Group. This new base was established to train pilots for close air support during amphibious landings, leading to the formation of the Marine Carrier Air Group (MCVG) and the Marine Carrier Groups Pacific command. The goal was to have eight air groups ready for the anticipated 1945 invasion of Japan.<br />Stanley was assigned to clerical office duty with the new air group. He recalled that much of his job involved general duties, as he was still only 17. His focus was tracking aircraft administration, including parts used and fuel burned, as part of his training for the upcoming invasion.<br />He recalled an early six-month deployment with his squadron to the Marine airfield at Ulithi Atoll, a crucial staging area for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Stanley was there when the war concluded.<br />Upon returning to MCAS Santa Barbara, Stanley was assigned to work as the right-hand man for the base chaplain, Chaplain Hountain, handling the clerical office work for one more year.<br />Corporal Stanley Parker completed his enlistment and was honorably discharged on May 3, 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal and a Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as the “Ruptured Duck.”<br />After his military service, Stanley chose not to return to school. He found a job with Hiller Helicopters in Santa Barbara, building helicopters like the HE-3 and Hiller XH-44. He married Ms. Dorothy, and they had three boys and one daughter. Later, he married Ms. Stella, blending their families to include seven children. A lifelong learner, Stanley earned several certificates and two degrees in his lifetime, including an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement and a law degree from the Blackstone School of Law.

mickey,strand,photograph,nikon,Z8,Redding,portrait,VPS,veteran,CALVET,california,veterans,home

Stanley Parker - WW2 Veterans - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series — Stanley W. Parker<br />United States Marine Corps <br />Corporal (CPL)<br />World War II<br /><br />Born on November 29, 1926, Stanley W. Parker grew up in Burlingame, California. His mother raised him and his siblings after his father left home. In January 1944 at the age of 17, Stanley left San Mateo Union High School during his junior year, with his mother’s permission, to enlist in the Marine Corps. He then shipped off to boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot in San Diego, California.<br />After graduating from boot camp, Private Parker was assigned to Naval Air Station Miramar for aviation training, where he studied basic air operations and ground support. He was later transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, Goleta Field, joining the Marine Air Group. This new base was established to train pilots for close air support during amphibious landings, leading to the formation of the Marine Carrier Air Group (MCVG) and the Marine Carrier Groups Pacific command. The goal was to have eight air groups ready for the anticipated 1945 invasion of Japan.<br />Stanley was assigned to clerical office duty with the new air group. He recalled that much of his job involved general duties, as he was still only 17. His focus was tracking aircraft administration, including parts used and fuel burned, as part of his training for the upcoming invasion.<br />He recalled an early six-month deployment with his squadron to the Marine airfield at Ulithi Atoll, a crucial staging area for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Stanley was there when the war concluded.<br />Upon returning to MCAS Santa Barbara, Stanley was assigned to work as the right-hand man for the base chaplain, Chaplain Hountain, handling the clerical office work for one more year.<br />Corporal Stanley Parker completed his enlistment and was honorably discharged on May 3, 1946. He received the World War II Victory Medal and a Honorable Service Lapel Pin, also known as the “Ruptured Duck.”<br />After his military service, Stanley chose not to return to school. He found a job with Hiller Helicopters in Santa Barbara, building helicopters like the HE-3 and Hiller XH-44. He married Ms. Dorothy, and they had three boys and one daughter. Later, he married Ms. Stella, blending their families to include seven children. A lifelong learner, Stanley earned several certificates and two degrees in his lifetime, including an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement and a law degree from the Blackstone School of Law.