The WWII Nose Art of Hal Olsen – U.S. Navy Mechanic on Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateers

September 9, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 10 Comments

I recently had the esteemed pleasure of acquiring two nose art photos of PB4Y-2 airplanes. Using the power of the internet, I was able to look up the two planes, the Green Cherries, and the Lady Luck II. With a bit of luck I tracked down the name of the original artist. Hal Olsen painted over 100 nose art pin-up ladies on various planes in the PTO. He charged $50 per painting and eventually used the money to enter formal art school and travel with his wife. Having tracked him down, I wrote him a nice letter asking for his autograph and promising that I would send along some copies of my photos. They go out in the mail tomorrow! For now, check out the shots and the nice card he sent me.

Thanks Hal!

Lady Luck II

Green Cherries

Hal's Autograph

WWII Color Slide Grouping – Occupation Forces in Germany 1945

June 25, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 3 Comments

A nice grouping of 150+ color slides taken in Germany during the 3rd Army occupation in late 1945. Enjoy the vibrant colors of Germany!

German POW Camp

388th Bomb Group – Artist Alva Alegre Caught in the Act!

June 14, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 1 Comment

Caught in the act of painting!

388th Bomb Group Artist – Alva Villamor Alegre Self Portraits

June 12, 2011June 12, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 1 Comment

We here at Portraits of War have spent countless hours scanning and editing the photographic work of Alva, but have neglected to post a series of photos relating to what he looked like while stationed at Kennishall nearly 70 years ago. I hope you enjoy seeing the face of the man responsible for recording the everyday activities around Knettishall.

388th Bomb Group – Mission Briefing

June 8, 2011June 8, 2011 / portraitsofwar / Leave a comment

The tension in the air is almost palpable. Painted bomber jackets, crusher hats, and wafting palls of smoke all set the scene. A basic map is being chalked on the board, while pilots and navigators take note.

388th Bomb Group – Visions of Wartime London – Summer 1944

June 4, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 3 Comments

Alva Alegre took every opportunity to shoot in and around London while on pass. His images capture wartime London as seen in 1944, at a time when the Luftwaffe was still a real threat to the civilian population. Please enjoy the view through Alva’s lens as he travels throughout the city of London!

Alva and Muse

The Royal Arcade

Close Up View of Sign

388th Bomb Group – Female Portrait Art at Knettishall

May 29, 2011May 29, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 1 Comment

Alva Alegre had an uncanny ability to capture the subtle beauty of his female subjects. Here are some superlative examples which capture the personalities of the women portrayed.

Platinum Blonde Beauty

Fire Hazard

Color at Knettishall

388th Bomb Group Interior Mural Art – Knettishall

April 20, 2011April 20, 2011 / portraitsofwar / 1 Comment

Alva must have loved painting murals! He used Red Cross girls and local WAC’s as models…….

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!