About John Michael the Military Historian

John Michael is:

• • • • A military historian
      • A published author
  • and
    • • A professional photographer

He is living in the Washington DC area. John Michael has traveled extensively across the United States and around the world. In his spare time, he likes to explore new restaurants and experiment in the kitchen with new recipes.  Ask him about his Cuban black bean soup …  it’s outstanding and yummy too!

John Michael and the Military Focus

Sparked by photographing his first final honors at Arlington National Cemetery of General Bruce Palmer, Jr., John Michael began his long road of becoming”militarized”. For over two decades, he has focused on the United States military’s service to the country and photographed the final honors at Arlington National Cemetery. From these photographs, an outstanding tribute is crafted – a memorial book of the ceremony that becomes a family heirloom.

When asked about John Michael, a noted Washington, DC-based military historian responded:

“He’s an athlete – with a natural talent focused on photography and over the years, his experiences have honed his outstanding skills. His photographs evoke a passion and deep emotion.”

His photography is unmatched and provides a vivid experience that expresses the true meaning of the content – the photographs reach out to you and draw you in with a vividness beyond imagination. This immersion into the US military community has sparked a passion that complements his photographic work.

John Michael Goes Traveling

Beyond the final honors photography, John Michael has captured images of military reunions, change of commands, and retirements. Additional images came from spending time with the 3d Infantry’s BIG GUNS of the Old Guard – “The Presidential Salute Battery” and the US Army’s parachute demonstration team – “The Golden Knights” (four up in the airplane rides with them, but no tandem jump … yet!)

John Michael has made trips to Fort Bragg to get an introduction to the Golden Knights, to spend time with the Special Forces at Symposiums and Reunions and the bust unveiling at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and the memorial service for LTG William P.  Yarborough (USA Ret.) and the 82d Airborne Division’s “All American” Week.

Heading west to Fort Campbell where he photographed the honors for Robert “Robin” Moore (He wrote the book “The Green Berets” and co-wrote the “Ballad of the Green Berets”)  and later onto Concord, Massachusetts to photograph his final honors when he was laid to rest in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. (It was the first time John Michael ever heard “Echo Taps”) and the Concord Independent Battery gave Robin a two-gun salute with their Revolutionary War-era brass cannons.

Onto Fort Meade to participate in the 2009 ARMY STRONG experience and spend time with the US Army Marksmanship team and the Golden Knights. (still no tandem jump!)  Down to Columbus, Georgia to photograph the 50th reunion of the Fort Benning Doughboys Football Team.

 

John Michael Explores US Army Heraldry

It began with the Special Distinctive Unit Insignia DUI (Although many people call them “crests”.)  John Michael designed a notecard with the Special Forces “crest” on the front and a description and unit history on the back.  Over the years from that one notecard, the collection assortment has expanded to over three hundred designs.

John Michael Becomes a Published Author

In 2011 he researched, wrote, and published the FIRST BOOK about Fort Myer – “Images of America – Fort Myer“. This was followed in 2015 when he published a book about Fort Lesley J McNair – “Images of America – Fort Lesley J. McNair”

Each book contains over 200 historical photographs that chronicle the history of these two US Army posts in the Washington DC area.

 

 

Other book projects are in the works.

 

His mission is ongoing –

 

“Preserving the memories so others will remember…” ™

 

 

OMAHA STEAKS

YUMMY … STEAKS~!