151013-F-NL936-421

by SSgt Andrew Lee

151013-F-NL936-421

On April 4, 1965 Ret. Col. Carlyle "Smitty" Harris was on a bombing run on the Ham Rong Bridge in Than Hoa, Vietnam, when his aircraft was shot down. Harris had become a prisoner of war and spent almost 8 years before he was released Feb. 12, 1973. During his time as a POW, Harris is credited with teaching other POWs tap code, a form of communication which was used to communicate with each other. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee)

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Photographer's Narrative

 

My team was doing a story on an Air Force veteran and a former Vietnam War prisoner of war. I wanted to capture a portrait that would complement the written story. He had an old pilot helmet he wore from his time in the military and it still showed the branch of service. With it on, I moved him over to a large window to provide a soft light over his face and helmet, and I took his portrait.