That 2,000 Yard Stare (Thomas C. Lea III, 1944) [hi-res version and details in post]
That 2,000 Yard Stare (Thomas C. Lea III, 1944) [hi-res version and details in post]
First of all, major thanks to @craftyindividual@lemm.ee for this brilliant community and their tireless efforts to share beautiful art. <3
Me, I happened to spot this piece at the evil empire the other day, did some searching, and found that it hadn't been shared here, before. Well then, well then..!
It was during his time in the western Pacific in 1944 as a combat correspondent with the United States 1st Marine Division during the invasion of the tiny island of Peleliu that Lea would really make a name for himself among the readers of LIFE. "My work there consisted of trying to keep from getting killed and trying to memorize what I saw and felt," he says.
Lea's vivid, realistic images of the beach landing, and Battle of Peleliu, would impact both readers and himself. The Price and That 2,000 Yard Stare would become among his most famous works. (1,794 Americans died in a two-month period in what many call the war's most controversial battle, due to its questionable strategic value and high death toll). --WP (click there for hi-res version)
As an alt, here's a more florid version of the color scheme that I chanced upon:
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I had just finished rewatching The Pacific. The last few episodes really drive home a fraction of this feeling (empathetically anyway).
The scene that most stuck with me was the beach invasion of Peleliu. The tropical setting in the middle of the ocean contrasted with the horror and crawling over dead bodies is just so surreal.