The DVIDS Journalist of the Month for January, Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III, covered the evacuation of South Sudan as part of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa.
Although his photos only spanned a few days, Fisher's images... read more
The DVIDS Journalist of the Month for January, Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III, covered the evacuation of South Sudan as part of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa. <br /> <br />
Although his photos only spanned a few days, Fisher's images were viewed more than 6,486 times. Almost 20 percent of the views resulted in a download totaling 1,247 downloads. Media around the world used his photos including Yahoo!, Irish Times, World Tribune, CS Monitor, Reuters, Black Anthem and more. With more than 129 total media placements, he far surpassed the next closest military journalist.
"Staff Sgt. Fisher and his skill as a photojournalist proved to be a force multiplier during his recent deployment with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response. His ability to capture the most critical moments in operations, specifically during the evacuation of American citizens from the U.S. Embassy in South Sudan, ensured that this new unit and its ability to prevent and respond to crises became front-page news on every major news agency. His dedication to the mission and to the Marines with whom he served is directly reflected in his work," said Col. Scott F. Benedict, commanding officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and former commanding officer, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response.
The timeliness of the photos played a crucial role in the widespread interest. One of the most popular images, "Marines evacuate embassy in South Sudan [Image 18 of 23]" shows a Marine guiding U.S. citizens down the flight line in Juba, South Sudan. Another photo shows a Marine helping U.S. citizens into a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules airplane.
"Staff Sgt. Fisher's work as a combat correspondent while deployed with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response was directly responsible for helping the unit increase its public affairs posture. His work appeared in national nightly news broadcast, international print mediums, and numerous social media outlets, most importantly, he told the Marine Corps story. Staff Sgt. Fisher should be very proud of his accomplishments as a Marine, a leader, and a combat correspondent. We certainly are," said Capt. Sharon A. Hyland, public affairs officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and former public affairs officer Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response.
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