Combat Combo Marine: Book by CC John K. Baird
Combat Combo Marine: Vietnam War News Articles and Photographs by a Marine “Pacific Stars & Stripes” Staff Correspondent/Photographer
by John K Baird; Cover Design or Artwork by John E. Shimko; Photographs by John K “Jack” Baird
Vietnam war news articles and photographs by a former pacific stars and stripes staff correspondent, who is a retired U.S, Marine Master Sergeant who served both in Korea (1950) and Vietnam (1965-66 and 1970-71).
About the Book
M/Sgt John (Jack) K. Baird was presented the Joint Service Commendation Medal awarded by Gen. William Westmoreland, Commander U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam.
Baird, was cited for meritorious service as a correspondent and photographer for the Pacific Stars and Stripes in Vietnam. Baird*s daily news coverage of combat action and major operations helped to keep more than 250,000 military readers of the newspaper informed.
About the Author
At age 74, where does one begin to tell his life story? In my case, at the height of one’s life. That would be covering the Vietnam War as a U.S. Marine assigned to the Pacific Stars & Stripes. Initially assigned, because of my military occupational specialty, 4312, Press Information Man, with a background in Journalism.
Known in the news media circles, an individual who both writes and takes photographs, is dubbed “Combo” man. With such a moniker, a Marine in combat I would describe as a “Combat Combo Marine”.
In today’s Marine Corps, Marines formerly called “Press Information Man” are now classified as “Combat Correspondent” regardless of whether they are actually serving in combat or stateside assignments. And photographers are in an occupational field (Photography) of their own. Perhaps this book will spur the Marine Corps to create another MOS field of “Combat Combo Marine” for those skilled in reporting and photography.
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