FRAGMENTS | Edward Steichen

Edward Steichen, a Luxembourgish American photographer, painter, and curator, was enlisted by the United States Navy at the age of 60 to serve as the Director of the Naval Aviation Photographic Unit during World War II after his retirement.

In 1942, Steichen and his handpicked team of six photographers commenced their service with the Naval Aviation Unit. As the war progressed, Steichen assumed command over the Navy's combat camera crews, comprising a total of 4,000 photographers. They captured images from surface ships, submarines, and aircraft, and also visited numerous factories to document the events unfolding during World War II.

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man. " - E. Steichen

'End of a Judy' - Japanese pilot parachutes after being shot down during a kamikaze attempt, 1945 | Edward Steichen

Attack on Japanese merchant type vessel in Tonolei Harbor area, Solomon Islands

1943 | Edward Steichen

Japanese bomb hits flight deck of the USS Enterprise | 1942 | Edward Steichem

Night pattern of anti-aircraft fire - Okinawa | 1945 | Edward Steichen

Japanese plane met with heavy opposition, surrounded by burst of tracer fire on Saipan

1944 | Edward Steichen