Marine Whose Photo Lit Up Imaginations Keeps His Cool (Famous Iraq War Picture Alert)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 11/13/03 | Patrick J. McDonnell

[goldstategop]

Miller is the young man whose gritty, war-hardened portrait appeared Wednesday in the Los Angeles Times, taken by Luis Sinco, a Times photographer traveling with Miller's unit: Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

In the full-frame photo, taken after more than 12 hours of nearly nonstop deadly combat, Miller's camouflage war paint is smudged. He sports a bloody nick on his nose. His helmet and chin strap frame a weary expression that seems to convey the timeless fatigue of battle.

And there is the cigarette, of course, drooping from the right side of his mouth in a manner that Bogart or John Wayne would have approved of. Wispy smoke drifts off to his left.

The image, printed in more than 100 newspapers, has quickly moved into the realm of the iconic.

[Ichneumon]

Is it possible that it is 'bump to the top'???

Yes. Replying to a thread "bumps" it to the top of the Latest Comments page, and calls it to the attention of any Freepers who are checking that page to see which threads are currently "hot".

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**He's a handsome guy under all that face stuff. If I were younger ....(dreaming) ... I could have a crush on him. Blush, blush. **

;o) oh dear oh dear - I totally agree.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**These Hollywood pretty boys can eat their hearts out. This guy is the real thing. **

You've got that right!!!

[ErnBatavia]

Cigar man lost an eye and much of his hearing on his second deployment over there. He made a couple of speeches here (near Twentynine Palms) while recuperating....he's probably medically discharged now.

[Pukin Dog]

I'll bet this young man isn't pushing for a Purple Heart for the nick on his nose.

That was my first thought when I read the article.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Agreed. The pic would be a perfect marketing tool for Marlboro to use...rather than the typical Hollywood version. This is the real thing.

[silent_jonny]

"Smoking is evil! I'm the ideal American man!" /sarcasm

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**He looks thinner in the Marlboro photo, and like a man.**

That's what happened to my nephew after he enlisted in the Navy. He went in looking like a kid. We saw him a year later (recently) and he's all of a sudden very manly.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

bump

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Cigar man lost an eye and much of his hearing on his second deployment over there. He made a couple of speeches here (near Twentynine Palms) while recuperating....he's probably medically discharged now. **

Seriously? Bless him...

[cubreporter]

Different time. Different war. There should be no comparisons to any of those types of photos. They are what they are and that's what's important. God bless our troops.

[Parawan]

>but he doesn't look at all whiny or defeated.
Marines don't whine they bitch. Big difference.
This is one of those a picture is worth a thousand words pictures.
Made me tear up with pride that the country still produces such men.
Simper Fi

[ken5050]

I'm surprised no one has yet done a PC altered pic..taking the Marlboro out..

[Kerfuffle]

Are we sure that's a Marlboro? It's pretty hard to see in the photo...

[Kerfuffle]

Oh, and do you realize that, if this guy's under 21, the makers of Marlboro must be squirming right now?

[jo3mac]

This Marine photo should be in the dictionary under the word 'hero'.