Death in Afghanistan: A soldier's story. But is this photo too much to bear?
Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, 21, of New Portland, Maine, was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in a Taliban ambush Aug. 14 in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan.
The image shows fellow Marines helping Bernard after he suffered severe leg injuries. He was evacuated to a field hospital where he died on the operating table.
Images of U.S. soldiers fallen in combat have been rare in Iraq and Afghanistan, partly because it is unusual for journalists to witness them and partly because military guidelines have barred the showing of photographs until after families have been notified.
AP Photographer Julie Jacobson, who accompanied Marines on the patrol and was in the midst of the ambush during which Bernard was wounded, took the picture from a distance with a long lens and did not interfere with Marines trying to assist Bernard.
Bernard's father opposed publication of the photo, saying it was disrespectful to his son's memory. But Jacobson and her editors say the image is part of the history of this war. Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed disappointment Friday at news outlets that used the picture.
"Death is a part of life and most certainly a part of war," Jacobson says in a journal the AP has published. "Isn't that why we're here? To document for now and for history the events of this war?"
Tampabay.com readers have shared their viewpoints on the photo, many opposed to the distribution of the picture:
"This is sick. Do you really NEED to show this?" asked Jenny from Afghanistan wrote:
Kim from South Dakota said: "Showing this picture should have been only with the families' permission. We know all to well the results of war. I would have respected the parents' wishes.
"Too see this picture doesn't bring any good. I cried when I saw it," wrote Marisha from Indonesia. "Who would want to see a person struggle with death in such pain?
Heather from Maine was grateful to see the photo: "This picture brought tears to my eyes and my heart ached for the soldier's family. Thank you for sharing this photo. He was very brave!"
***Note: Readers' response to this blog post and tampabay.com's story truly have been overwhelming, with more than 1,650 comments published on the story and nearly 280 here at this point. We've never experienced such an outpouring to a single story in such a short time.
Please note that I am reading every comment on this blog, and all comments published with the story are being read by a tampabay.com editor before publication. We do appreciate your feedback, from folks on all sides of this issue.
And to those that have e-mailed me: I'm reading your messages and will reply to you.
At the request of his family, this photo should have never been published! Shame on YOU! The pain this photo caused the family outweighs any interest the public may have at viewing this!
Posted by: Jenny Sikes | September 04, 2009 at 12:59 PM
This is absolutely unconscionable. Your editors should be ashamed of themselves for their total disregard for the feelings of this Marine's family. However I am not surprised...coming as it does from the AP and The St Petersburg Times. Your agenda is well known in the bay area.
Posted by: Tarbucket | September 04, 2009 at 01:10 PM
The story could have easily have been published with a low res file and no names. Identification of the soldier should have only been with the family's approval. How terribly said that they now have all of us searching this young man's name just to see what the fuss is about. Publish the news, protect the loved ones. Thank you Joshua Bernard for your service!
Posted by: Karen | September 04, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Julie,
After reading several articles regarding this pic, I decided to view what the controversy was all about. Yes, you were doing your job. Yes, documenting the war is part of history and Yes, death is part of war.
However, WHERE was your compassion for this young man's family? Have you ever "lost" a loved one? Perhaps not. Herein why you thought you NEEDED to put this pic out for the world to view. Death is a very painful event for a family, especially the loss of a child.
Did you disrespect this soldier? Probably not. Did you have any respect for what he has done for our country? Probably not. Did you even consider how his family would feel once you published this pic? Probably not.
Sometimes Julie, things are better off left alone. And I think this was one of those times. And sometimes Julie, success (publishing of such a pic) is not worth the pain that you bring to others.
I am deeply saddened and concerned that you thought the world NEEDED to view such pain and suffering of one of our bravest of young men...
Perhaps next time, you will think deeper of what the impact might be on others BEFORE you publish your work.
Posted by: Anna from Texas | September 04, 2009 at 01:15 PM
I think it is disgusting that this photograph was published. I am in law enforcement and have seen my share of gruesome photos. So the photo itself is not my issue. There are PLENTY of other photos from the war that have been published that convey the "GRIMNESS" of war. The editors should be ASHAMED of themselves. They are only feeding into the frenzy for dirty laundry that the media has ALWAYS been known for, without conscience or dignity. My only hope is that someday the people who made this decision will somehow have to answer for it
Posted by: Shari Palmer-Wilkins | September 04, 2009 at 01:20 PM
My sincere condolences to the family of this Marine. I would like to say that US citizens should see what happens on the battlefield so hopefully they start questioning the so-called "reasons" for being there. These never-ending wars are taking a toll on the US forces and all the US citizens are fed are politically correct footage and interviews. WAKE UP AMERICA, your sons and daughters are dying over there. END THE WARS and bring our children home.
Posted by: Bill | September 04, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Thank you, Anna from Texas, for saying what I could not through my tears. Military families struggle enough with daily feelings of possible loss. The greatest sacrifice should not be diminished in any way for those who remain behind. I am all for a free press, but a responsible free press. And I do believe a certain amount of headstrong ambition and self-serving ego is attached to this photographers belief that the world "NEEDS" to see her work. One can be a servant of the TRUTH, without being cruel.
Posted by: Mom of a young soldier | September 04, 2009 at 01:25 PM
It seems that the AP felt the need to refresh the public's knowledge of what war is about. Really! Please introduce me to that adult that does not know what war is about. If there is such a person, then they have been living under a rock. You do not get to be a teenager in this country without being exposed to the travesties of war. But the AP seems to think that putting this photo out there will bring it home to the public what is happening in Iraq. Duh.... Common sense has been totally lost in this country, actually in the world. There is nothing anymore that cannot be justified in the name of "the public has a right to be informed".
Perhaps we should take pictures of all persons that die and publish them in the newspapers. Oh wait we already do that. However WE select the photo, not some journalist who snaps a photo of possibly the worst moment in that persons life, splashes it across the front page and hides behind the statement, "the public needs to know". Would the journalist be as accomodating if it were their brother, sister, mother or father in that photo? I think not.
Posted by: Brian | September 04, 2009 at 01:29 PM
I think you should be ashamed of putting this out there, you shouldnt have even taken it, you are one cruel heartless person. Stupid at that. If that was one of my family members I would have made you pay dearly for that . You should know what is right and what is wrong and that was definatley wrong. All you care about is how many damn papers you sell. You dont care about any other thing than that. You are showing people what they already know the sacrifice these soldiers are making, and you are over there with them, what next are you going to let the enemy know where our troops are so you can get more pictures like that. Well just remember what comes around goes around and you will one day have to pay for what you have done to this family and our troops that are fighting for our freedom.
Posted by: derek | September 04, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Americans are just not realistic and too idealistic! My condolence to this Marine's family. However, what was this family thinking when they let their son go to war? Come home with a gold medal or maybe win some sort of prize?
Posted by: Speaking My Mind | September 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM
It is a sad photo, sad that he had to even be there. If this photo educates Americans, brings home the reality of what is happening, give a face to the loss, then Yes, it is the right thing to do. I do believe that if publishing this photo educates others, increases compassion, not ony for this man and his family, but for all of the families making such enormous sacrifices this it is a way of honoring his sacrifice. Brushing his death "under the carpet" or pretending it didn't happen, not placing a face on it doesn't make it go away. Remember, there are thousands of Joshuas who have died in this was and in Iraq. And many more to come. If this photo offends you then this war should offend you.
Posted by: val | September 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
It was WRONG to publish this photo against the expressed wishes of the family of the man pictured (and dying for his country). I need to add my condemnation to all the others here and around the world.
Posted by: Arthur Plummer | September 04, 2009 at 01:34 PM
The picture is very disheartening, I admire and respect the bravery of Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard. My heart goes to his family and to all the families that have suffered. These photos show the reality of war, and I'm sure there are photos that are 10 times more graphic. The wishes of the family of Joshua Bernard should have been respected.
Posted by: Joey | September 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
SP TIMES? What is wrong with you??? I am having trouble understanding why this TImes insisted on publishing this while the family of the soldier had so strongly opposed its publication. Yes, we know that war is ugly, and yes we are aware that it is violent. However, to publish this photo in spite of the objections of a family who is suffering a great loss is shameful, and equates the Times to a gruesome tabloid rag, even more than it has of late. Shame on You. Shame on You.
Posted by: brian | September 04, 2009 at 01:35 PM
We understand the point you want to make. The public "needs" to see the reality of war, despite the fact that publishing this photo will greatly exacerbate the pain the family is in. The AP is full of manipulative cowards. When will we see bloody photos of civilian Taliban victims? Photos that can help the public understand why we're fighting? Thank you for your sacrifice Joshua.
Posted by: Sid Carter from Stockholm Sweden | September 04, 2009 at 01:37 PM
I have to agree with Bill. It's one thing to hear about the "numbers" of soldiers being killed every night on the news - it's another thing to SEE it. This soldier was NOT a number!!! I also agree, though, that the picture should have only been shown with the family's permission (maybe they did give permission?) or, at least, anonymously.
Posted by: Mary | September 04, 2009 at 01:39 PM
I think that showing the picture to some people might offend them but I think personally that all pictures that are taken over in a time of war should be allowed to be shown to the public because it is their sons and daughters that are fighting over there. It should probably have come with a warning saying it contains graphic material but all in all I think that the AP did nothing wrong and were in their legal rights to post this as they did.
Posted by: Alex | September 04, 2009 at 01:39 PM
As a Parent with a son and a daughter in the Navy..My question to you is. If this was your child would you have Posted this picture ? May god forgive you for the extra pain you have given his family.
We all know there is a war going on over there, With this picture I am sure you have brought more fear into the minds of other parents who have a child over there. Where is your compassion for a human life ? I can't believe you thought this was good news..Nothing about this is good.
I believe our troops have done enough and many families have sacrificed enough of thier children. Pull our troops out and let them kill each other over there..Its none of our business. Our Children are dieing for a fight that isn't ours !
Posted by: Inge Hickok | September 04, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Wow Julie, I hope the sudden fame and possible fortune that you have received for displaying a picture of a dying man that his family firmly stated they did not want published allows you to sleep well at night. Perhaps you can think of others before you selfishly think of yourself next time and perhaps maybe, if you have a fit of compassion or conscience, you can donate any funds received from this to this Marine's family's charity of choice. I'm ex-military and while I understand the horrors of war, you did notthing but DISRESPECT all military troops by publishing this picture. It's obvious you don't give a damn about others so I have no idea why I am wasting my time writing this. I bet you can look in the mirror at night, can/t you? I hope YOUR family never has to go thru the pain YOU put this family through. What goes around, comes around Julie.
Posted by: Karen | September 04, 2009 at 01:44 PM
all responsible should be fired from their job immediately.
Posted by: kevin jacobs | September 04, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Julie,
People, such as you, are not only paid to do their job but to exercise judgement. In this case, the judgement of using a long lens to photograph a mortally wounded American shows a sick and warped mind. AP in disregarding the wishes of the parents have shown a total lack of compassion, repect, and moral decency. I would support the milatry in pulling you out of this assignment and sending you home. I would chip in to help cover the cost of your plane ticket back as I don't think you have a right to remain there.
Posted by: Michael | September 04, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Dear Editors,
The photo *is* an afront to our desire to remain ignorant. Should we be made conscious of the cost of war against our will? Is it our right to progress through our lives thoughtless of what our waste, politics, and strategy subject the less fortunate to.
It is very difficult to see such pain and remain apathetic, uninformed. It's more difficult to subordinate our analysis to polemic pundits and to fill up the Hummer.
On the other hand, this soldier is not an abstraction. This image will traumatize his real family and friends. The Associated Press and Secretary Gates are equally guilty of transforming this ultimate sacrifice into a political volleyball -- when the sacrifice and the soldier should bring us together as a nation in grief and thanksgiving.
In short, we should retain the right to see, to know, to be impacted ... without our access being used to divide us.
Respectfully, Drew in Orlando
Posted by: Drew in Orlando | September 04, 2009 at 01:48 PM
War is ugly. There are people all over this world who live with war happening in front of them everyday and they know the ugly. Americans, on the other hand, haven't had a war in their face in close to 150 years. We don't know what it looks like and we need to. Hearing that a soldier died has become the same as hearing the baseball score. But to see it, to really see what war does to a 21 year old who had hardly started to live, maybe this will help the people appreciate that war isn't just a 45 second sound bite on the late news but that these are real people, bleeding real blood, dying real deaths and that we need to work on ending the war rather than prolonging this agony.
This doesn't disrespect his memory. I see this picture and I now cry for Joshua Bernard. I cry for his life lost and the pain of his family and his comrades who had to see this. That would NEVER have happened if all you showed me was that picture of him in his uniform. We need to see this more, not less. We need to see this in order to end the fighting, end the deaths.
Posted by: Keri | September 04, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Those who argue that the intent behind running certain photographs is to "sell papers" are misinformed. As someone who works in the industry and not affiliated with the AP or SPT, I can tell you:
-The overwhelming majority of revenue coming into a newspaper company comes from ad revenue, which is pre-determined before a paper is circulated. The list price on a paper makes up hardly a fraction of gained income for a paper. In fact, the guy/gal that drops off the paper at local stores (and is usually an independent contractor) often gets to keep the list-price money.
-Rarely is a newspaper's circulation changed by a story.
-Decisions by reporters, photographers and editors to run X story or photograph are not made with "money money money" on the mind. Great debate goes into the decision making process and focuses around:
1) Why is this news?
2) What does this story/photograph explain that a photograph/story cannot explain on its own?
3) Who are the stakeholders, ie: the people this will have a direct impact on (family members, fellow soldiers, etc.)?
4) How will this story/photograph affect them?
5) If it negatively affects a stakeholder, is there any way around telling this story without using the story/photograph?
6) Can we justify this as necessity?
I will withhold my judgment on whether to run the photograph. However, people should respect the fact that journalists do not sit in a sea of gold thinking about their paychecks on stories like this. They have a job to do and if the editors and parties involved thought this was the right decision, I respect their judgment, whether or not I agree with it. It is the toughest decision journalists make. Erring on the side of truth, however, is indeed justifiable.
Posted by: Dan | September 04, 2009 at 01:52 PM
I have all the respect for the men and women in uniform but it is time the people in the US start realizing what is going on. During Vietnam the news footage did show US soldiers getting wounded and killed and finally enough people got fed up and realized how fruitless the endeavor actually was. The entire media has "whitewashed" the horrors our children are facing in the Middle East. US citizens really need to take a good look at the photo and question the reasons for being there.
Posted by: Bill | September 04, 2009 at 02:00 PM