Scope and Contents

Most of the Breedlove collection consists of printed including scripts to accompany films and Breedlove's published photographs. Also present in the collection are films, photographs and museum objects.

Biographical / Historical

Harry Breedlove volunteered for the Army in 1955 when he was 17. After serving one tour of duty with a tank company in Korea Breedlove sought admission into a career training school. He settled into a photography vacancy (his third choice after transportation and electrician) at the Army Film School at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, where his instructor was Frank Capra Jr.. Breedlove went on to do feature stories for Stars and Stripes in Italy, Greece, Sardinia, and Turkey. He also served as a staff photographer for the Commander in Chief of NATO for southern Europe in Naples, Italy. He finally found a professional home in the Department of the Army Special Photographic Office Pacific Detachment in Hawaii. Beginning in 1965, Breedlove worked extensively in Vietnam. His assignments required him to travel with various units and document any action with his camera. While in Vietnam, Breedlove captured one of the most recognized images of the entire war. The photograph is of a helicopter landing while men are pouring out of each side of the aircraft. The photo went on to appear in several books, magazines, newspapers and calendars. It was also featured at a photo mural at the Pentagon and was displayed in the meeting room of the House Armed Services Committee. Breedlove received recognition for his photography in and out of the Army. He was twice awarded by the Department of the Army for the best photograph taken worldwide. He also received awards for his combat footage. His photographs and moving images have appeared in several television shows and documentaries about the Vietnam War. After serving in Vietnam, Breedlove continued his career in the Army, working on assignments in Alaska, Bangkok, and Japan. He also worked at the Pentagon filming Medal of Honor presentations and the investigation into the My Lai massacre. He filmed Sammy Davis Jr.'s tour of Vietnam and the return of Vietnam POWs at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Colorado. Breedlove retired from the Army in 1975, after 20 years of service.