The back of the photograph bears the following text:

This young crewman of a U.S. Navy "Dumbo" PBY rescue mission has just jumped into the water of Raboul Harbor to rescue a badly burned Marine pilot who was shot down while bombing the Japanese-held fortress of Raboul.

Since Japanese coastal defense guns were firing at the plane while it was in the water and during take-off, this brave young man has manned his position as machine gunner without bothering to put on his clohes. This is Bristol's most famous image.

Though the image was created in 1944, the print was created later.

Select References: Eye on the World, p. 37; Horace Bristol, p. 93

Affixed to the back of the photograph, is a certificate that says:

Printed under supervision of photographer as no. 25 of an edition of 50.

Lt. Cmdr. Horace Bristol USNR

along with the signature of the photographer

gelatin silver print

This object has the following keywords:

• Battle
• Soldiers and Warriors
• War and Conflict

This object is a member of the following portfolios: