John Ford and the beginning of the
Field Photographic Branch

The creation of the Field Photographic Branch

In the early 1930's, John Ford, a reservist in the Navy creates a unit of cameramen able to intervene "in case of emergency". In 1939, the Field Photographic Section of the 11th Naval District becomes operational. A few weeks before Pearl Harbor, Ford announces that he has trained some sixty technicians.

General Donovan, Coordinator of Information and later director of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), calls for Ford: that is the beginning of the Field Photographic Branch (FPB).

John Ford and his crew at Midway 1942
© Lilly Library, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana

From Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Midway

Among the films produced by the FPB and personally supervised by John Ford are December 7th, which deals with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and The Battle of Midway, a decisive American victory on Admiral Yamamoto on June 5th, 1942. Ford won two Academy Awards for best documentary in 1943 and 1944.

John Ford next to his chief-cameraman
in the pacific, s.d.
© Lilly Library, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana