A flashing highlight of my military career...
Hey, a Combat Photographer in the Marines in the 1950s had to make his mark somewhere! In the "old Corps."
(Fortunately) it was a peaceful period, nobody shooting at anybody and I was assigned to the Base Photo Lab at Camp LeJeune, N.C., a member of Headquarters Batt., Support Company B, of the Second Marine Division.
Most of my work centered on parades at LeJeune, Changes of Command, official portraits and tons of "Grip & Grin" setups.
Somewhere in my files is a shot of ME shaking hands and smiling as an officer congratulated me on - I suppose - gaining my Corporal E-4 stripes.
My favorite experience was during one of those General-shakes-hands-with-a-
His aide stood to one side holding an extension flash, connected to me with a long black cord, as I focused and snapped the shutter on my Speed Graphic 4x5 camera.
As sometimes happens with a #5 flashbulb if its protective coating has a scratch, when it flashed, it exploded with a LOUD bang! While very little glass is projected, it IS a startling sudden event.
The young man being honored flinched, as I recall, but the battle-tested Marine General had immediately dropped to his knees, defensive combat ready, and looked up at me in surprise.
His aide quickly assisted his boss back up as I shouted: "Oh shit, did I hit you General?"
He sternly looked at me as he brushed his pants and said "No, Corporal, I am fine. Carry on."
We reshot the photo, no bulbs exploded.
I quickly packed my gear and retreated...holding back a smile.
In combat, a photographer would seldom use a flash.
They can be dangerous.
Later, in the still peacful era, my duties were mainly Public Relations with the Corps.
I got so bored, I volunteered to accompany a Tank Battalion to cover its 4-months of rugged training on a small island called Vieques, off the east coast of Puerto Rico.
The entire island was later sold by the Navy and today is a palm-shrouded, tourism mecca.
(Click on the photos and links for more details.)
Thanks for wandering through my Marine military memories.
Looking back, it had its moments and was a fun time.
Semper Fi.
Labels: #5 flashbulb, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, Cpl E-4, Grip & Grin, HQ Battalion, Marine helicopters, Oh shit!, Support Company B, Tank Battalion, Vieques Island off Puerto Rico
posted by chuckography @ 12:14 PM
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