FirstSpear TV

Combat Photographer Catherine Leroy

Born in Paris during the height of World War Two, Combat Photographer Catherine Leroy is well known for her coverage of the Vietnam War.

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Here, we see here just before a combat jump with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during operation Junction City in 1967, making her the first nrwsperson of the war to jump in a combat zone. In 1968, during the Tet Offensive, Leroy was captured by the North Vietnamese Army. She managed to talk her way out and emerged as the first newsperson to take photos of NVA Regulars behind their own lines.

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6 Responses to “Combat Photographer Catherine Leroy”

  1. JM Gavin says:

    One of the best of her profession, along with others of that time (Dickie Chappelle, Bernard Fall, David Halberstam). Still journalists doing that sort of work…Sebastian Junger, Tim Hetherington (RIP!), Kevin Sites…good people.

  2. Dellis says:

    What a story she has to tell!

    There should be a bio-movie made about her. Sadly Hollywood would most likely cast Jane Fonda as the Cathering Leroy of today telling her story and Ashley Judd as the younger Catherine Leroy.

  3. Chris says:

    She has more combat jumps than me, so I’ll just STFU. Props, lady.

    • Stefan S. says:

      My Uncle jumped on that one. Wasn’t much of a Combat Jump though. 60% of the chutes were worn by REMFS.

  4. Gerard says:

    Amazing story, Id never heard of her

  5. Jerry Hassler says:

    First female to make a combat jump with American forces. Arrived in Laos with a Leica and $100 and only spoke a little English, mostly cuss words, although she was a definite lady. AP’s Horst Faas hired her at $20 a picture. Made the jump 22 Feb 67 with the 2/503 173d Abn Bde. Although she had made some sky dives, this was her first only static line jump. Only weighed 98 lbs. Was later wounded with Marines and captured by NVA where she became first journalist to photograph the enemy. Unfortunately, she died of pancreatic cancer in 2006. Lots of info on her life and career on the Internet. There should be a movie made of her life.