Help us update our history
The History of Marine Corps Combat Correspondents & Combat Camera Marines
(A Concept)
In the mid-1980s, veteran CC Gary Cameron was commissioned by the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association (USMCCCA) to develop a history of the CCs, broadcasters and photographers from the beginnings in 1941 through the terrorist attack on the Marine Barracks in Beirut. His book was entitled “Last to Know, First to Go.”
Many felt there were quite a few things wrong with the book – including its title. Most felt, because of our positions, we knew what was happening and were ready to go. Others criticized the book because, while it included many names of CCs, there were omissions. Yet, the book was a history, albeit with shortcomings.
Now with many more combat engagements covered, it is time for an update to this unofficial history. Through the generosity of CC Life Member Dave Biesel and his wife, Diane, owners and publishers of St. Johann Press, we are attempting to rectify those things that many of us said were wrong with LTK, FTG. And, like Gary Cameron’s version, we know that this first revision stage will probably please some and displease others.
Keep in mind: This will be the first revision. Our plan is to produce this “teaser” in time for distribution at the 2016 Training Symposium (conference) at Fredericksburg, VA, our 75th anniversary. In it we hope you will give us constructive criticism for omissions. This is good as it will enable us to remedy the history for the second and hopefully, final stage of the publication. We estimate this will take two years from start to finish.
One person cannot produce this book. Instead, we will be asking individuals who played significant roles in each of our major conflicts to be section editors. Obviously, we have copy and photos for both World War II and Korea even though most of our comrades from that era have passed. Editors will be needed for the following Sections: Pre-Vietnam to include the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Dominican Republic; Beirut, including Grenada and Panama; Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Somalia and Bosnia and Afghanistan and Iraq.
We will have equipment sections to show how equipment needs were met and how we moved from Hermes portable typewriters and Combat Graphic cameras to DVIDS and the use of satellite communication.
We’re excited about the possibilities but we need your help. We need photos. While we feel Vietnam has been heavily covered and photos are available, you might have one or two that could fill a gap. We especially need photos from Beirut, Somalia and the desert wars, including Afghanistan.
If you have such photos and, more importantly, if you want to be included as a section editor, we need to hear from you soonest. Reply to usmccca@cfl.rr.com.