Perkins Combat Cameraman of the Year goes to Cpl Tyson Holm

Corporal Tyson Holm

This years’ winner of the Corporal William T. Perkins Award Combat Cameraman of the Year is Cpl Tyson H. Holm of the 3D Marine Division (REIN).

Corporal Tyson Holm assigned to 3D Marine Division as a Combat Lithographer (4612), volunteered to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a Combat Camera Photographer, Driver/Gunner, Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central (RCAC-C), 201st Corps, Afghan National Army (ANA) from 29 October 2007 to 18 November 2008. Although deployed as Photographer, Cpl Holm was also assigned as a member of Embedded Training Team (ETT) at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bostick and Combat Outpost (COP) Lybert, which were two of the most remote and austere locations in the area of operations.  As a young corporal, he supervised and led Marines and Army Security Force Personnel, advised and mentored an Afghan company, coordinated logistics, conducted numerous foot patrols and convoys, and improved the fortification of COP Lybert. His Combat Camera responsibilities were; to provide a photographic history for the RCAC-C training, and provide a monthly newsletter for the spouses and families of all the deployed personnel.

Cpl Holm a Combat Lithographer Marine by MOS, deployed as a Combat Photographer. He was chosen to deploy as a photographer because of his initiative and dedication to learning the skills of a Combat Photographer, putting in long hours of on the job training prior to deployment. Cpl Holm’s extensive knowledge and capabilities as a photographer put him in the position to be a mentor for the ANA 201st Corps public affairs office.  Cpl Holm’s knowledge as a photographer continued to be a valuable asset by taking it upon himself to develop a training program to teach the fundamentals of garrison and combat photography to the ANA. This was the first time the ANA received training of this nature which the use of this new knowledge has aided ANA Information Operations in producing images and media to distribute throughout the Afghan populace, displaying the government’s ability to project power, ANA is now documenting their own achievements through the photography skills taught to them by Cpl Holm.

Cpl HoLm’s leadership skills were put to test daily during deployment by teaching multiple infantry skills such as marksmanship, weapons safety, patrol formations, quick reaction force preparation, gear setup, and multiple other subjects. While Cpl Holm was conducting medical training with the ANA, at COP Lybert, Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF) initiated an attack with RPG and automatic weapons fire.  He ran approximately 75 yards to don his Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and grabbed a M249 SAW, and started to engaged enemy positions with the M249,firing approximately 50 rounds. Holding up to the Marine Corps model every Marine is a Rifleman first. He showed himself to be a Marine of unwavering courage.

Cpl Holm never took his eye off his primary mission and the reason he volunteered to deploy, to provide photographic history for the RCAC. His dedication to his work showed in his photos, very well taken photos for a Marine with a Combat Lithographer background.