Militourism: Visualizing Soldiers on Holiday Debbie Lisle D.Lisle@qub.ac.uk

Militourism:Militourism: Visualizing Visualizing Soldiers on Soldiers on HolidayHoliday

Debbie LisleD.Lisle@qub.ac.uk

‘Members of VF-74 air squadron enjoy a swim at old mill in

Corsica.’ August 1944; Corsica; Wayne Miller; 80-G-474120

(a151)

‘Sailors from USS Saratoga (CV-3)

on liberty in Buddhist temple

grounds at Anurodapura, Ceylon.’ April, 1944; Ceylon;

Wayne Miller; 80-G-474022 (a149)

Edward Steichen at work aboard U.S.S. Lexington, 1943; Victor Jorgensen,

1943, Library of Congress

‘Sailors sleeping on flight deck of the USS Lexington (CV-16).’ 11/27/1943; Edward J. Steichen; 80-G-471182 (b80)

The only consistent vectors in Steichen’s career were sentimentalism, opportunism, and a fierce

dedication to craft; the first two lead directly into his becoming a benign ideological agent of

corporate political power. Throughout the larger part of his career, in his advertising and fashion

work and his monumental ‘photo essays,’ Steichen contributed to a falsified image of the family, of women, of consumption, of war and

international politics, and of cultural freedom. A ‘global vision of life’, even in its ‘humanist’ and liberal manifestations, may serve only to mask another vision, a vision of global domination.

Allan Sekula, ‘The Instrumental Image: Steichen at War’ p. 35.

‘Navy men relax and swim at bathing beach on Guam,’

3/1945; Guam Island; Charles Kerlee; 80-G-474328 (b40)

‘Showering facilities were not available so men took advantage of the

excellent beach facing the lagoon.’ 8/1943; Location Unknown;

Photograph Unattributed; RG342-FH 3A-43024 (b158)

‘Enlisted men relax on Mogmog

island, lounging about with plenty

of beer’ November 1944;

Fenno Jacobs (80-G-408188)

‘U.S. Marines catching a quick shower in hastily built showers on Namur Island.’ Date Unknown; Namur; Charles Kerlee; 80-G-401090 (b53)

‘Two U.S. sailors on leave near Diamond Head discuss the sights under palm tree’ Date Unknown; Honolulu, Hawaii; photograph Unattributed; 80-G-422057 (a148)

‘Enlisted men relaxing on flight deck of USS Lexington (CV-16).’ 11/1943; USS Lexington; Edward J. Steichen; 80-G-471232 (b77)

‘U.S. Navy pilots relax and enjoy female companionship, sports, and entertainment at rest homes in Hawaii for pilots on leave from combat area. Relaxing on lawn chairs.’ February 1944; Hawaii; Fenno Jacobs; 80-G-475100 (a159)

‘Naval pilots recuperate from combat flying at special rest

homes such as this on Honolulu, T.H. where they

have recreation and female companionship. Relaxing on

lawn after tennis game.’ 2/1944; Honolulu, T.H.;

Charles Kerlee; 80-G-476053 (b87)

‘Sailors on Liberty pose for pictures in Manila, P.I.’ May

1945; Manila, Philippines; Victor Jorgensen; 80-G-

474869 (a158)