Pope AFB, Fort Bragg, NC – 1974 Joint Operations Military Exposition “Brass Key II”

February 12, 2012 / portraitsofwar / 3 Comments

The following set of slides (and many more not shown) were picked up at a local flea market along with 3000 more from the same photographer. In this case, he was invited down to view a series of military exercises at Pope Air Force Base in Fort Bragg, NC. The activities and joint demonstrations by the United States Readiness Command (USREDCOM), Brass Key II at Fort Bragg in North Carolina were a series of military exercises to show the readiness of US airborne and Special Forces troops. A great set of shots all taken in 1974.

Spencer, Massachusetts WWI Veterans Return Home – 1919 – Panoramic Photo

July 21, 2011July 21, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 18 Comments

In an attempt to digitize my growing collection of WWI panoramic “yardlong” photos, I’ve been scanning and editing my collection to post here on PortraitsofWar. This photo comes from a small town in Central Massachusetts, not far from my hometown. I found the photo at an antiques flea market in Palmer, MA. The glass was incredible dirty, and the photo has considerable moisture and mold damage, and was in need of some TLC.

The variety of service members is incredible! Of particular interest are the Postal Service member, the Marines, two tankers, and a handful of 26th Division members. What a great image, one worthy of display here at PoW.

Korean War Marines in Chosin – Original Color Slides 1950

June 16, 2011June 23, 2011 / portraitsofwar / Leave a comment

Korean War Color Slide Photo – Wonsan Airfield POWs October 1950

June 11, 2011June 15, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 2 Comments

POW Delivery

Wonsan, Korea – October 1950

POWs are delivered to the safety of their USMC Marine captors.

Original Amateur Color Slide – Dated October 1950

Wartime Photo of Lee Marvin – American Actor and Grade A Badass

March 26, 2011September 28, 2012 / portraitsofwar / 3 Comments

Lee Marvin is hands down one of the greatest action movie stars of the post-WWII generation. Starring in such films as Attack, The Killers, The Professionals, The Dirty Dozen, Hell in the Pacific, The Professionals, The Iceman Cometh, and The Delta Force, Lee Marvin was a true action star.

The attached photograph was purchased directly from the son of a 4th Marine veteran who served with Marvin during WWII. Lee was a combat sniper with I Company, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division and was wounded in action on Saipan. He received the Purple Heart for his wounds. References say that he was one of only 9 survivors of a Japanese attack on his unit http://www.jodavidsmeyer.com/combat/military/lee_marvin.htm. Outside of personal photographs, this is one of less than a handful (literally 3) wartime photographs of Marvin available for view on the internet.

I hope you enjoy. This is one of my favorite WWII film actors, and now a part of my collection!