John Ford and the birth of the FPB

The creation of the Field Photographic Branch

In the 1930s, John Ford, then a member of the United States Navy, became responsible for creating a unit that could be used to take pictures if needed. In 1939, the Field Photo of the 11th Naval Section became a rational operation. A few weeks before Pearl Harbor, Ford announced that it had formed about sixty technicians.

General Donovan, Information Coordinator and then director of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), then brought Ford in: it was the birth of the Field Photographic Branch (FPB).

John Ford and his team, Midway,
1942
Lilly Library, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana

From Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway

Among the films produced by the FPB and supervis personally by John Ford are December 7th, which saw the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and The Battle of Midway, a victory against Admiral Yamamoto on June 5, 1942. Both allowed Ford to receive the Oscar for best documentary in 1943 and 1944.

John Ford for his boss op rateur
in the Pacific, s.d.
Lilly Library, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana