Larry Burrows
British, 1926-1971
Reaching Out (First Aid Station, Below the DMZ), October 5, 1966
Gelatin silver print
Gift of Howard G. Davis, III A.K.A. David Davis, 2011.136
Burrows’ photograph illustrates the tragic effect of “friendly fire” or an accidental attack on one’s own troops. On the left, a bandaged Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeremiah Purdie lunges toward his comrade who lies seemingly crucified with glazed eyes and a dirt-caked face. While waiting for airlift from a first aid station in enemy territory, the soldiers were fired upon by American tanks, and one injured soldier was killed along with two other Americans. Burrows himself would become a casualty of the Vietnam War when his helicopter was shot down over Laos in 1971.
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