Larry Burrows was a photojournalist who showed the world the tough reality of the Vietnam War. In 1966, he spent time in Vietnam, capturing scenes that revealed the brutality soldiers faced. His photographs from that year, especially those taken near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), painted a clear picture of the conflict.
In October 1966, Burrows was on a muddy hill south of the DMZ. He photographed American Marines involved in fierce fighting. The pictures show the difficult ground they fought on, often covered in thick mud from the rainy season. Trees were damaged or destroyed by bombs and gunfire, showing the violence of the battles.
One of Burrows’ most well-known photos from this time shows wounded Marines. It captures the human cost of the fighting. Soldiers are seen helping each other, their faces and bodies showing the strain and pain of combat. Bandages on heads and limbs are visible. These images make the brutality of the war very real. They are not posed; they show moments of intense hardship and the immediate aftermath of being injured.
Burrows’ photographs also show the emotional toll on the soldiers. You see tired faces, looks of worry, and moments of exhaustion. The conditions were rough, with heat, humidity, and the constant danger of being attacked. Soldiers carried heavy gear through difficult terrain, adding to the physical and mental burden. His pictures capture this weariness and the pressure these young men were under far from home.
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The types of injuries in the war were often severe. Bullets and shrapnel from explosions caused serious wounds. Booby traps hidden in the ground were also a constant threat, causing injuries to legs and feet. Burrows’ camera documented the reality of these injuries, showing the bravery of medics and fellow soldiers helping the wounded under fire. The photographs reveal the messy, painful side of war that isn’t always shown.
Burrows stayed close to the action to take these pictures. He wanted people back home to understand what was happening. His photographs from 1966 near the DMZ show the raw reality of ground combat – the danger, the suffering, and the difficult job soldiers had to do every day. They capture a specific time and place in the Vietnam War, revealing the intense brutality through the eyes of those who lived it and the lens of a dedicated photographer.
