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   Ralph Reeves Pyle, Jr.
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War: World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953
Branch: Army; Army
Unit: 834th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion, 516th AAA Battery
Service Location: Pacific Theater; Camp Haan, California; Camp Irwin, California; Hawaii; also: Korea
Rank: Staff Sergeant; Staff Sergeant
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Interview (Audio)
»Interview Highlights  (8 clips)
»Complete Interview 
Download: audio (60 min.)
»Transcript
Photos
»Photo Album  (59 photos)
Memoirs
»View List (3 items)
Official Documents
»View List (2 items)
Other Materials
»Biography for induction into Indiana Photography Hall of Fame. Pyle was inducted into the Hall of Fame in February 2001.
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»Art of War
»Military Photographers: Framing the Shot
Audio (Interview Excerpts) (8 items)
His hobby of building airplane models equipped him to teach enemy plane recognition. (01:19) Developing his photography skills in the Army, snapping the stars on their visits to the Hollywood Canteen. (01:29) During the Korean War, Pyle, now a staff sergeant, chose photography over aircraft recognition, which he thought would have placed him with the infantry. (02:36)
Unable to document the retreat from the Chinese, since he had not been issued a camera. (02:20) As a licensed pilot, he was a perfect choice for aerial photography. (01:50) Received the Bronze Star for his efforts as an aerial combat photographer. (03:15)
In addition to documenting aerial combat and USO tours, he photographed the first round of peace talks; though not credited, Pyle can compare published images to his originals. (01:29) His photography skills came in handy when it came to bartering. (01:14) 
  
Memoirs (3 items)
Untitled memoir of Ralph Pyle Memoir, "Combat Photographer RalphPyle" Memoir, "Focus on Ralph Pyle: WWII and Korean Combat Photographer"
  
Official Documents (2 items)
Letter and citation for award of the Bronze Star medal General Orders No. 178 [11/3/1951] 
  
 

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