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Walk the Prank: Secret Story of Mysterious Portrait at Pentagon
wsj ^ | 4.16,12

Posted on 04/17/2012 4:08:08 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch

WASHINGTON—In a Pentagon hallway hung an austere portrait of a Navy man lost at sea in 1908, with his brass buttons, blue-knit uniform and what looks like meticulously blow-dried hair.

Wait. Blow-dried hair?

The portrait of "Ensign Chuck Hord," framed in the heavy gilt typical of government offices, may be the greatest—or perhaps only—prank in Pentagon art history. "Chuck Hord" can't be found in Navy records of the day. It isn't even a real painting. The textured, 30-year-old photo is actually of Capt. Eldridge Hord III, 53 years old, known to friends as "Tuck," a military retiree with a beer belly and graying hair who lives in Burke, Va.

Most military officers who climb the ranks or command daring battles only dream of having a portrait hang in a corridor of power at the Pentagon alongside the likes of Patton, Nimitz and Eisenhower. Capt. Hord's made its way to the Pentagon's C-ring hallway via several parties, an alliance of British and Canadian military officers and a clandestine, predawn operation later dubbed "THE PROJECT."

The picture came into existence after Capt. Hord graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982. During a visit to then-Ensign Hord's hometown of Kingsport, Tenn., his proud parents suggested he sit for a formal portrait. Wearing midshipman's garb and an Annapolis class ring, he posed for the town's best-known photographer in front of a cloth screen with his arms resting on an antique-looking chair.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS:

'Ensign Chuck Hord, lost at sea.'

1 posted on 04/17/2012 4:08:13 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch
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To: InvisibleChurch

What a great story!


2 posted on 04/17/2012 4:20:42 PM PDT by JoanVarga ("Yes We Can" It's not just a slogan. It's a threat.)
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To: InvisibleChurch
If there is any justice in this world the portrait will go right back up where it's been hanging.

After all, nine months is a long time and this is a much needed tribute to US/Canadian cooperation...maybe now we can get together on a pipeline.

3 posted on 04/17/2012 4:24:29 PM PDT by norton (I will transmit this information to Vladimir.)
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To: InvisibleChurch

Being chased around your whole career by a youthful portrait is funny. Having your friends mount it in the Pentagon is hysterical. BTT.


4 posted on 04/17/2012 4:24:32 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: InvisibleChurch

Great story.


5 posted on 04/17/2012 4:32:27 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: JoanVarga

Awww, I think they should at least hang it in his old office.


6 posted on 04/17/2012 4:32:59 PM PDT by WVNan ("Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy." - Winston)
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To: Billthedrill

I quite agree! A great story all around.


7 posted on 04/17/2012 4:33:21 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: InvisibleChurch

Great stuff!


8 posted on 04/17/2012 4:40:23 PM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: InvisibleChurch

Some Journalist with nothing better to do spotted the fake, but not one of them can spot the fake Birth Certificate of Obama.


9 posted on 04/17/2012 5:01:24 PM PDT by Venturer
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To: InvisibleChurch
Classic example of hiding in plain sight.

Anybody who thought that was an 1898 portrait is blind.

Aside from the fact that a portrait would not be that relaxed, young cadets in the 1890s parted their longish hair in the middle and almost always had facial hair, although clean-shaven was coming in.

E.g.:
Medal of Honor recipient R.P. Hobson, Annapolis '89

The "casual" official portrait didn't come in until the 1920s, and at that time they all combed their hair straight back from the forehead, which looked a bit odd as it tended to stand up.

10 posted on 04/17/2012 5:01:24 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGS Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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