A few weeks ago, I bought a set of art prints that the Marine Corps published in 1968. There are sixteen works in the set, every one powerful and evocative in its own way. But this particular print really caught my eye and I want to share it with you.
Capt. Leonard B. Dermott, a combat artist, accompanied the grunts of 2nd Battalion, Fifth Marines during Operation Essex, which took place between November 6th – 17th, 1967. After the battle, he did this painting. In addition to Golf and Hotel Companies 2/5, Delta 1/5 and Mike 3/5 were attached.
Antenna Valley was about ten kilometers southeast of the An Hoa Combat Base. It lay in the shadow of the Que Son Mountains south of Da Nang.
Painting such as this are powerful and evocative to me. In this work, Capt. Dermott depicted something more than just a few grunts in front of a mountain. These Marines could be any infantryman in Vietnam, regardless of which branch he served in.
Never forget, Mark