Joe Renteria - WW2 Veterans - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

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World War 2

Click on Veteran's photo to see their Ledgend. These American Heros 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
Please email

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.

US Army - Navy Corporal - Chief Photographers Mate World War II - Korea - Vietnam Navy Chief Photographers Mate Joe Renteria was born on July 17, 1917, and still photographs the world today. Joe is a retired Navy PHC after 20 years of active duty. Joe began his service in 1936 in the US Army, first serving for three years with a heavy machine gun unit. He talked about caring for the mule teams, the Beast of Burden in War, who helped draw the cart of equipment and ammunition for the large, heavy gun team. Joe, as a full-blooded Cherokee, was limited in his opportunities in the Army, and he felt the mule team was beneath his abilities. Unhappy with his position and opportunities in the Army, Joe walked down the hall and joined the Navy at the end of his service. Joe was still in uniform when the Navy had him raise his hand to swear in. Joe first served in aviation at Pearl Harbor, flying with a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat unit assigned to patrol for Japanese ships. He received his transfer orders to Naval Air Station Pensacola to report to Photographers A school in historic building 1600 to become a Navy Photographer’s Mate. Here, he learned about cameras and film, processing and chemistry, light, and the art of making prints. The classes covered the basics of all facets of Naval Photography. Joe then served as Fleet Admiral William Halsey Jr.’s duty photographer throughout World War II. They hopped from island to island, where Joe, because of his flight skins (qualifications), flew aerial photo missions with his favorite Folmer Graflex K-20 Navy aerial camera, documenting the atomic bomb tests. The K-20 seen here with Joe was a lightweight, handheld World War II aerial camera. The K-20 used a 5.25-inch × 20-foot or 200-foot roll of film that produced 4x5-inch negatives. Joe lives in his San Diego home, which he and his son Michael built by hand as they gathered supplies. After the Navy, Joe served as the Department Head of the Photo Department at San Diego State University for another 33 years and also worked as a freelance photographer. The Chief remains actively involved in quality of life and education for Indian affairs, serving on many councils and committees.

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Joe Renteria - WW2 Veterans - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series — US Army - Navy Corporal - Chief Photographers Mate World War II - Korea - Vietnam Navy Chief Photographers Mate Joe Renteria was born on July 17, 1917, and still photographs the world today. Joe is a retired Navy PHC after 20 years of active duty. Joe began his service in 1936 in the US Army, first serving for three years with a heavy machine gun unit. He talked about caring for the mule teams, the Beast of Burden in War, who helped draw the cart of equipment and ammunition for the large, heavy gun team. Joe, as a full-blooded Cherokee, was limited in his opportunities in the Army, and he felt the mule team was beneath his abilities. Unhappy with his position and opportunities in the Army, Joe walked down the hall and joined the Navy at the end of his service. Joe was still in uniform when the Navy had him raise his hand to swear in. Joe first served in aviation at Pearl Harbor, flying with a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat unit assigned to patrol for Japanese ships. He received his transfer orders to Naval Air Station Pensacola to report to Photographers A school in historic building 1600 to become a Navy Photographer’s Mate. Here, he learned about cameras and film, processing and chemistry, light, and the art of making prints. The classes covered the basics of all facets of Naval Photography. Joe then served as Fleet Admiral William Halsey Jr.’s duty photographer throughout World War II. They hopped from island to island, where Joe, because of his flight skins (qualifications), flew aerial photo missions with his favorite Folmer Graflex K-20 Navy aerial camera, documenting the atomic bomb tests. The K-20 seen here with Joe was a lightweight, handheld World War II aerial camera. The K-20 used a 5.25-inch × 20-foot or 200-foot roll of film that produced 4x5-inch negatives. Joe lives in his San Diego home, which he and his son Michael built by hand as they gathered supplies. After the Navy, Joe served as the Department Head of the Photo Department at San Diego State University for another 33 years and also worked as a freelance photographer. The Chief remains actively involved in quality of life and education for Indian affairs, serving on many councils and committees.