FOCUS ON VETS - Incarceration!This month our FOCUS ON VETS topic is the often overlooked VETERANS IN PRISON. 

In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of letters and requests from veteran prisoners. Many of their stories are gut-wrenching, heart-breaking troubles for the veterans and their families as they returned home from war with alcohol, drug related, or P.T.S.D. problems. Chronic pain, both mental and physical, often result in suicidal thoughts and violent tendencies that led to families in crisis and the resulting incarceration. Recognizing the problems and treating these warriors so they can adjust back into civilization is societies post-war responsibility...period.

Click here on VETERANS VOICES to read more about this eye-opening subject with shocking statistics and devastating implications...and please let us know what you think.   

Many Thanks,

RWP    mail@realwarphotos.com

Valentine's Day - FEBRUARY 14, 1917

RWP# D27500B - St. Valentine’s Day illustration by cartoonist Clifford Berryman appeared in the Washington Evening Star on February 14, 1917, and depicts Woodrow Wilson’s confirmed re-election coming in the form of a Valentine’s Day card,  02/14/1917. President Woodrow Wilson was officially re-elected when Congress met in joint session to count the electoral votes. The cartoon shows Wilson's Valentine's Day card that he received in the form of the official announcement of his re-election in 1917.

USS The Sullivans (DD-537)

RWP# N375C Burning of USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), with the USS The Sullivans (DD-537) in foreground, 11 May 1945. Photo courtesy of the NARA.

Our sincere thanks goes out to our friend and Real War Photo historical-facts and photo contributor, Hal Burke. Hal served on the USS The Sullivans and is the 2017 Reunion Chairman for the USS The Sullivans DD-537/DDG-68 Association, and a contributing editor to military magazines such as The Tin Can Sailor.

We can’t thank you enough Hal for all the time, effort and hard work in interviewing, documenting and sharing these amazing WWII vets’ experiences.

Below is an excerpt from Hal’s Tin Can Sailor magazine article, one of his incredibly detailed stories on WWII veteran’s war experiences. Hal notes, “In fact, George 'The Kissing Sailor' Mendonsa was inspired to kiss the nurse in NY Times Square three months later on V-J Day 14 Aug 1945 by what he witnessed during the naval battle.”  Thanks so much Hal for your past and continued service,

 Real War Photos staff

REMEMBER-HONOR-RESPECT OUR VETERANS

THEY SUPPORTED US AND EACH OTHER

...NOW LETS SHOW OUR SUPPORT!

RWP# V2260 A radio man comforts his friend who broke down after surviving a battle in which nearly all of his platoon was wiped out during operation "Byrd" all men are assigned to Co "A:, 2nd Bn, 7th Regt, 1st Cav Div, due to the tense feelings of these men, names could  not be obtained, 26 August 1966. (NARA photo)

December 07, 1941

The USA was transformed overnight from 14th military power (behind Sweden) to #1. By the end of the war, the United States had chased down and destroyed every Japanese aircraft carrier used to launch the attack on Pearl Harbor.

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR 



RWP# B23572 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The wreckage-strewn Naval Air Station. An explosion is visible in the background, 07 December 1941.  (Photo courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.)

11/11/2018 - VETERANS DAY - THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WWI

PHOTO BELOW...RWP#27101B - American Advance North of Verdun. The drinks and cigars are "on" the Germans who hurriedly left this trench, all of its furnishing falling in the hands of the invading Americans, 33rd Div., 04 November 1918.

Thanksgiving Dinner aboard ship November 1942

RWP# N3263  A total 2100 lbs of turkey for Thanksgiving aboard the USS Alabama (BB-60),  26 November 1942.    

WWII - Battle of Santa Cruz -26 October 1942.

RWP# B23910   The Second Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Another near miss on the USS Enterprise (CV-6). The plane didn't get far though, it crashed just the other side of her, 26 October 1942.

WWII - 1st Army/82nd AirBorne/504th Regt

Operation Market Garden, September 1944

RWP #A453B   WWII -   US Army paratroopers are dropped near Grave, Netherlands September 1944, while livestock graze near gliders that landed earlier. This was the beginning of Operation Market Garden during World War II, which resulted in heavy Allied losses.  Photo courtesy of the US Army and the National Archives and Records Administration.

August 28, 1968 Vietnam War

RWP# V1083   Lance Corporal John Graham instructing a P.F. (South Vietnamese Popular Force soldier) on leading a M-60 machine gun, 8-28-68.

Marines wade ashore on Tinian - WWII

24 July thru August 1944

RWP#B24740B  Marines wading ashore on the Island of Tinian (part of the Mariana Islands) during the Battle of Tinian, Pacific campaign of World War II, where
41,364 Marines fought against armies of the Empire of Japan; 326 Americans were killed and 1,593 wounded, from 24 July until 01 August 1944. 

MILITARY SPOUSES RECOGNITION DAY

MAY 10, 2019

Above Photo - RWP# N9753 USS Becuna (SS-319) Wives, children and friends gather forward of the conning tower as they welcome the Submarine SS Becuna (SS-319) back from a long training cruise to China. Used in connection with a special release "Slow Boat to China". Photo courtesy of the NARA.

MEMORIAL DAY - May 28, 1958



RWP# K30162 -  Washington, D.C. - Bodies of the Unknown of World War II (foreground) and the Korean War are taken from the destroyer USS Blandly DD-943 at the Navy Gun Factory 5/28/58 enroute to the Capitol, where they will lie in state until Memorial Day. They will then be taken to Arlington National Cemetery for burial beside the Unknown Soldiers of World War I, May 28, 1958.  Photo courtesy of the NARA.

20 APRIL 1945

RWP# AF1444 WWII Air Force Photo - A-26 "Stinky" of 386th Bomb Group at Beaumont, France, 20 April 1945.   Photo courtesy of the Naitonal Archives and Records Administration.

 MARCH - MONTH OF THE MILITARY CAREGIVER

Americans recognize and honor military caregivers’

sacrifices and successes.

RWP# AF1339   WWII   U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO- 15th Air Force 301st Bomb Group, based in Italy, ask nurse for someone good with a needle, from the 2nd Bomb Group. Photo courtesy of NARA. 

Battle of Midway -  June 3-6, 1942

RWP# B23894 A torpedo strikes the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and a Japanese plane crashes into the water, 06 June 1942.

100th Anniversary of U.S. Entry into WWI

April 06, 1917 thru Dec 30, 2018 

A271008B  Gun crew from Regimental Headquarters Company, 23rd Infantry, firing 37mm gun during an advance against German entrenched positions. U.S. 2nd Div., St. Mihael region, circa 1917.

 WWII  06 JUNE 1944 D-Day 

RWP # A101 American trroops debarking rom LST's under fire from German artillery during invasion Utah Beach at Les Dunes De Madeleine, France, 06 June 1944. (NARA photo)

U.S. AIR FORCE

RWP# AF1295 WWII 9th Air Force, 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group; Bombs from four Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft explode on Schipol Airdrome at Amsterdam, Holland, 13 Nov 1943. (NARA photo)

U.S. Navy - submarines....

RWP# N9284 - USS Gato (SS-212) Launching on 21 August 1941. (NARA photo)

Remembering Marine Air Squadrons

WWII - Midway

RWP# B23891A - Fighting members of Marine Air Squadrons after being presented medal awards for heroic deeds in the Battle of Midway. This group took part in damaging attacks on enemy carriers and battleship. Front row (L-R); Capt. Richard L. Blain, USMCR, Capt. Leon M. Williamson, USMCR, 2nd Lt. Daniel L. Cummings,USMCR,  2nd Lt. Allen H. Ringblom,USMCR,  2nd Lt. Harold C. Schlendering, USMCR, 2nd Lt. Sumner H. Whitten, USMCR, Sgt Frank E. Zolnis, PFC Gordon R. McFeely. 2nd row: (L-R); Capt. William C. Humberd, USMCR, 2nd Lt. Jack Cosley, USMCR, 2nd Lt. George E. Koutelas, USMCR, 2nd Lt. George T. Lumpkin, Tech Sgt Clyde  Heath Stamps,  USMCR, Cpl John H. Moore, PFC Charles E. Cayer, USMC. Dept of Navy description and photo identification. (NARA photo)

 Celebrating the U.S. Coast Guard

- established on 04 August 1790

RWP# CG22236 - The "Eagle" a U.S. sailing ship Groch ock-classss barque, 3/4 bow view under full sail. The Eagle like other schooner ships were widely used by the United States in warfare and were reportedly one of the first of the coast guard ships; (Photo courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC. )

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 ENOLA GAY B-29  -  09 May 1945

RWP# AF15115B  The Enola Gay (B-29-45-MO, serial # 44-86292, victor number 82) was assigned to the USAAF's 393d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, 509th Composite Group. The bomber was one of 15 B-29s with the "Silverplate" modifications necessary to deliver atomic weapons, which included an extensively modified bomb bay and the deletion of protective armor and gun turrets. The aircraft was built by the Glenn L. Martin Company (now Lockheed Martin) at its Bellevue, Nebraska, plant, at what is now known as Offutt Air Force Base. Enola Gay was personally selected by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., commander of the 509th Composite Group, on 9 May 1945, while still on the assembly line. (NARA photo)

 Doolittle Raiders - 18 April 1942

 Eighty men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. These men, led by Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. The Air Force hosted the famed Doolittle Tokyo Raiders' final toast to their fallen comrades during an invitation-only ceremony Nov. 9, 2013 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. To read more about these heros and their extraordinary bravery, along with their final toast, go to the Naval History & Heritage Command website.

RWP# D23203 Orders in hand, Capt Marc A. Mitscher, USN, skipper of the USS Hornet (CV-8) chats with Maj Gen James Doolittle, USA. Some of the 80 Army fliers who took part in the historic Japanese raid are pictured with the two officers, 12 APRIL 1943. (NARA photo)

 ROCKETS BURSTING IN AIR

RWP - photo# B23419  ROCKETS BURSTING IN AIR - Pacific Fleet landing craft launches attack against the beaches of Peleliu Island in the Palau group on D-Day, Sept 15, 1944, preceding landings by troops of the 1st Marine Div.  (NARA photo)

Civil War - Antietam October 1862

RWP# CW22891B -Civil War - President Lincoln visiting the battelfield at Antietam, MD., 03 October 1862. General McClelland and 15 members of his staff are in the group. Photographed by Alexander Gardner and released to the National Archives Records Administration (NARA photo)

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 WWII - The Japanese Surrender!

RWP# D23278 The historic Japanese surrender aboard the Uss Missouri (BB-63), Tokyo Bay; Japan Foreign Minister Namoru shigemitsu signs surrender terms as high ranking   allied officers look on. General MacArthur, Supreme Commander broadcasts the   ceremonies, September 02, 1945. (Photo courtesy of the NARA.)

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 Note: Veterans and families -  to view and order photos of  your time in service, click here for our galleries website. 

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Above photo taken while Bruce Gordon was piloting F-102's in Alaska. Bruce was flying the lead and had his wingman fly up by Mt. McKinley in Alaska, 1963.  (Photo courtesy of Bruce Gordon, personal collection, USAF, Alaska, Korea and Vietnam.)  To view more Bruce Gordon photos, click on VETERAN AUTHORS tab at the top of this page.

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Real War Photos....

Real War Photos Inc. continues to recognize and honor our soldiers; the many American men and women who have sacrificed so much over the years for the freedom we enjoy today, by providing affordable, quality photo memories of their time in service. 

RWP has been reproducing quality war photographs for over 50 years. Founded in 1962 by George Chizmar, Sr, in Hammond, IN and relocated to Ann Arbor, MI after his death in 2001.

We are currently digitizing our entire photo collection which is a long process, but worth the wait so customers can view the pictures online prior to purchase. Our latest updates in technology plus state-of-the-art scanners and printers, allow us to produce photos at the highest resolution, that are sharp, clear and long-lasting. At RWP, we use top-grade, professional photo paper and quality ink available to give you photos that can be handed down in pristine condition to future generations.

Our core website www.realwarphotos.com also provides veteran help in the form of veteran-related information, Navy reunions, veteran author book sales and more.  View photos on our Galleries website at: http://realwarphotosgalleries.ifp3.com

IF YOU DON'T SEE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ON OUR GALLERIES WEBSITE...

Please email us with your request as only a small portion of our photos have been scanned-in and uploaded to the Galleries website to date.  Thank you.  mail@realwarphotos.com 

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 HONOR & REMEMBER THE VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE...

Consider the gift of a photo of his or her time in the service of our country. A photo of their ship or camp is often received with thankfulness and a tear for a memorable and defining time in their lives.

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WANT TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS? ...

Check out our photo collection (click on the title below):

Real War Photos Galleries  or copy & paste  this link http://realwarphotosgalleries.ifp3.com  into your browser.

 

We have photos available for purchase covering the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War plus current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both our main website and galleries website are used by veterans, their families, students, professors, novelists, genealogists and collectors forresearch and gifts.

Many of our rare battle action photos were previously inaccessible to the general public, but are now declassified and available through Real War Photos.

Please stop back often as we are continually scanning in our inventory of over 50,000 battle action photos and as we research and locate more historic moments in our great American History.

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Real War Photos is a valuable link to history, covering past wars and all service branches:

• Indians & the Old West (late 1700's to mid 1800's)

• Civil War (1861 1865)

• WWI (1914 - 1920)

• WWII (1939 - 1946)

• Korean War (1950 - 1955)

• Vietnam War (1961 - 1975)

• Persian Gulf War (1990 - 1995)

• Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts (2001 - present day)

RWP's core site offers historical notes, Navy reunion updates, vet resources, vet news (click on tabs above). Our new Galleries website  offers photos for viewing, print purchases and downloads.

 

Front Line Battle Action catalog

Board the decksof the mightiest warhips in the history of the world, with rare shipboard and battle damage photos.

Consider this our sampler catalog, with some of our most popular photos, including; Battleships (BB), Large Cruisers (CB) Heavy Cruisers (CA),  Light Cruisers (CL), Destroyers (DD & DE), Submarines (SS), Mine & Patrol Vessels, Carriers (CV, CVB, CVL. CVE), Fleet Auxilliaries, Naval & Army aircraft. The Army and Marines at the Battle of St. Lo, France, Battle of the Bulge-Bastone, Saipan plus famous dignitaries of WWII.

FRONT LINE BATTLE ACTION Catalog- 46 pages (thumbnails and lists); Click on WARS & BATTLES tab at top of page, then WWII-Famous Battles for ordering information on this catalog (just $2.00 plus postage), or simply give us a call:

Phone 734-327-9696.

(Due to large size of catalog, available in Print format only.)

Above photo, RWP # N3031C - USS New Jersey (BB-62) South China Sea, fires a salvo toward a target in the republic of Vietnam. March 1969. (Photo courtesy of NARA.)

George D. Chizmar

Co-Owner/CIO: George D. Chizmar george@realwarphotos.com

Co-Owner: Jo Ellen Tison-Chizmar joellen@realwarphotos.com

Editor/Ship Research: Gregory Matteson

Editor/Historical Research-Submarines:  Vernon J. Miller

Editor/Historical Research: William Cohen (R.I.P. 4/17/2014)

Editor/Historical Research-Pearl Harbor:  Tom Sileo 

American Legion Contact/Civil War Historian:  Clayton Bergman

Veterans Ambassador:   Frank E. Albrecht

WWII Consultant:  Wally Loder (R.I.P. 9/11/2014)

Vietnam Consultant: Terry E. Tison 

QUICK REFERENCE LIST:

PHOTOS: The National Archives, Dept of the Navy, Army Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, Dept of Defense, Pentagon, Veterans and their families and private collectors as noted. 

REFERENCES: The National Archives& Records Administration,  Library of Congress, Pentagon, Wikipedia, - Columbia Encyclopedia. Sixth Edition -   Famous Quotes from Great Quotes.com - The American Heritage Dictionary - Roget’ New Thesaurs - Bartlett's Quotations - Foreign Language Dictionary - - (many others as noted on specific tabs throughout the site).

GEOGRAPHY:  World Atlas - Yahoo Maps - World Fact Book - Google Earth

INSTITUTIONS:  Libraries - History Societies - History Departments - Smithsonion Institute 

SEARCH ENGINES: Google Advanced Search - Google History Guide - Yahoo! - W3 Search Engines

SPECIAL NOTE:

Note: Approximately 90% of the photos on our website were acquired from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington DC; declassified and now ‘Public Domain’. In most instances, the photos were taken by a Signal Corps photographer, in which case the photos are property of the U.S. Government and now public domain,  or the photos were taken by an individual associated with a branch of the military during a particular war or conflict, who has granted permission for images to be available to the public via the NARA.

All private collections come with a letter of permission to use the photos on the website, as references in publications, for educational or genealogical purposes and for general public sale and distribution.

We want to thank the employees of the NARA and Library of Congress or their assistance over these many years in acquiring photos and document requests for veterans and their families.

We've been busy digitizing our entire collection of over 50,000 battle action photos of American soldiers at war in order to provide customers with photographs of superior quality, and to extend preservation. New printing technologies create photographs that will far outlast conventional darkroom printing techniques (as our photos will not spot or fade from chemical processing), keeping your pictures looking crisp and clear for decades to come.

Go through the tabs at the top of the page and then......

Click here to go to the new Real War Photos Galleries to view, purchase   and download photos.

 RWP has been in business for over 50 years, established in Hammond, IN and now located in Somerset Center, MI  

Veterans,

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, for protecting us, and for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

May God bless you and wrap you in his peace & grace today & always. 

Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year,

Real War Photos  

FEBRUARY 2019 CALENDAR

1st  - Nat'l Freedom Day
2nd  - Groundhog Day
12th - Lincoln's Birthday    14th - Valentine's Day
15th - Susan B. Anthony Day
18th - Presidents' Day
19th - Washington's Birthday

February Photo Discount 

Spouses & Vet families, 25% off by entering code:FAM25 when ordering.

   *Official flag-flying day 

What happened this Day In U.S. Military History:

Click here to go to this special site, select the date and view all important events that occurred on this date for the U.S. Military.

www.foldsofhonor.org

Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has carried forth this singular, noble mission. To provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members.

Our motto says it best.

Honor Their Sacrifice.  Educate Their Legacy.

 

RWP# N853E The U.S. flag flies from the mast of escort carrier USS Santee (CVE-29), as she prepares to launch a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger aircraft, November 1942. (Note: An unidentified (DD) Destroyer is turning in her wake, astern.) Photo by Lieutenant Horace Bristol USNR.

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 PHOTO GALLERIES

Looking to view our photo collections? ...click here on GALLERIES  where only a small portion of our 50,000 negatives have been uploaded to date.

If you don't see what you are looking for, please email your FREE catalog request to: mail@realwarphotos.com

Thanks, RWP staff 

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HONOR & REMEMBER THE VETERANS IN YOUR LIFE. 

Consider the gift of a photo of his or her time in the service of our country and provide a listening ear if the veteran wishes to talk about their time in service. A photo memory is always appreciated and often received with thankfulness, and a tear for a profound and defining time in a soldier's life.

To view our photo collection online  ...just click on the link below: Photo Galleries Gift Certificates are available to give a veteran so they may choose photos of their time in service.

Go to our Galleries website to order a gift