He was a 19-year old Gunner's Mate Second Class Petty Officer in 1944. Today he is a very old man with fading memories of glory.
I made this with 4X5 Graflex Crown Graphic. He told me that he hadn't seen a camera like that since he was a young man.
It was men like this who saved the world. Never forget them.
14 responses
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John Edwin May said (7 Aug 2009):
A telling portrait...Very Nice!
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Ted Zahn said (7 Aug 2009):
Andre, some things you never forget -- how to tie a neckerchief, how to stand at parade rest, and how to serve your country. Wonderful portrait of a classic WWII sailor.
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Andre Easter said (7 Aug 2009):
Strangely enough Ted, I was in the Navy during that immediate post-Nam period where we didn't wear cracker jacks, we had to wear the Good Humor uniform. Remember those? They lasted until from '74 to about 1980 or so. Maybe we should have called them "the Ford & Jimmy Carter suit."
Never learned to tie the neckerchief. Never wore the Dixie Cup. We looked like Maytag repairmen! -
k. pasa? k. pasa? gave props (15 Aug 2009):
excellent portrait. well done.
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Charles Hess gave props (16 Aug 2009):
Great portrait of a proud sailor. I was a MU2 (musician) during Vietnam
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Zane Ewton gave props (17 Aug 2009):
Awesome
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Janice Mezzacappa gave props (31 Aug 2009):
Total respect for these men and all in the military!! Fantastic capture which lays deep in the soul, thanks for sharing Andre!
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Dirk HR Spennemann gave props (31 Aug 2009):
Stunning work Andre excellent for the topic!
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Alexander O'Kieff said (1 Sep 2009):
great portrait mate...It tells a story.
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Kathleen Mercado said (8 Sep 2009):
Beautiful work!:)
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Howard Simpson gave props (14 Sep 2009):
Unexpected. Very nice.
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Sumedh Prasad gave props (18 Sep 2009):
Nice shot for this theme -- I wonder why they call them "petty" officers and not something less demeaning? ...
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Kayla Vandeburg gave props (21 Sep 2009):
awesome that you used a camera that the subject is familiar with and hadn't seen in forever. You inspire me!
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om er said (28 Sep 2009):
Great photo and story, I adore the use of that old 4 x 5.
