Red Smoke

Red Smoke
Oils on Canvas
24 x 12"
1991

I served with Echo. Co., 1st Recon Bn. 1st Marine Div. from Nov. 1967 - Dec. 1978.

Recon is the Marine Corps Special Forces. The mission of Recon is surveillance, to go behind enemy lines to observe details. Much like an artist selects his subject out of countless elements in existence, a Recon unit places its focus on particular features the enemy presents (or attempts to conceal). We would plot their exact location, or determine their direction of movement; estimate their size; identify types of equipment―actively seeking out the enemy’s hidden elements, like the artist who sees deeper meaning in his portrait thanks to his study of anatomy. These elements would offer Command a picture of the battlefield for drawing up a campaign plan.

We were to avoid enemy contact. But when it did happen, Recon had the highest priority for Artillery, Air Strikes, re-enforcement, and extraction -- due to our small size and mission.

This is a painting done from memory. It is now in the collection of Art in the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago
.
Here is some music to go along with the image. I suggest going back and forth between the music and the image.

Although Recon is not strictly Infantry, this sound is so familiar, and the feeling applies.

[link]