I was an Army combat photographer with the First Air Cav 1965-66. My shooting career was interrupted when I was made a second lieutenant, infantry, and then rotated back to Ft. Benning for some officer training. I spent the next eight years in staff and command jobs before resigning in 1974.

I picked up my camera and worked as a freelance shooter and increasingly a writer as well--a good 1,000 words would sell most photo stories shot on spec, eight or ten images at $300 each, give or take.

Then in 1983 I lucked into an opportunity to write my first nonfiction book, "The Japanese Conspiracy." Hardly had the dust settled when I accepted full custody of my 13-going-on-30 daughter. That soon ended my shooter career--can't travel twice a week and be a fulltime single dad.

Later this month I am going back to Seoul with that same daughter, who still lives with me. I just completed my 17th and 18th books (#17 is M-9, a mystery, and #18 "They Were Soldiers" is a nonfiction examination of 49 Vietnam veterans and how they've done professionally and personnally since the war. That will be published in May 2020, though it is available for pre-sale order on Amazon.

As an intro to my shooting side, I here post an essay from a dozen or so brief visits to Seoul, 1972-74.

I was an Army combat photographer with the First Air Cav 1965-66. My shooting career was interrupted when I was made a second lieutenant, infantry, and then rotated back to Ft. Benning for some officer training. I spent the next eight years in staff and command jobs before resigning in 1974.

I picked up my camera and worked as a freelance shooter and increasingly a writer as well--a good 1,000 words would sell most photo stories shot on spec, eight or ten images at $300 each, give or take.

Then in 1983 I lucked into an opportunity to write my first nonfiction book, "The Japanese Conspiracy." Hardly had the dust settled when I accepted full custody of my 13-going-on-30 daughter. That soon ended my shooter career--can't travel twice a week and be a fulltime single dad.

Later this month I am going back to Seoul with that same daughter, who still lives with me. I just completed my 17th and 18th books (#17 is M-9, a mystery, and #18 "They Were Soldiers" is a nonfiction examination of 49 Vietnam veterans and how they've done professionally and personnally since the war. That will be published in May 2020, though it is available for pre-sale order on Amazon.

As an intro to my shooting side, I here post an essay from a dozen or so brief visits to Seoul, 1972-74.

Marvin
Very nice stuff.
I am a still writing and shooting USMC combat photog assigned to Leatherneck Magazine back in mid 1950's who covered Jarheads in the Mid East at that time.
Still working as Senior Writer/Photographer for newspaper I founded 14 years ago and have just published a book on some of my past columns.
Best to you and thanks for your continued service of bringing good work forward for the world to see. Your BW images are excellent.
I am presently working on a book of my adventures with the Marine Corps.
My best and Semper Fi to you, Brother.
Bernie Marvin
Sergeant-USMC
Peirmont, NH