First of all, major thanks to @craftyindividual@lemm.ee for this brilliant community and their tireless efforts to share beautiful art. <3
Me, I happened to spot this piece at the evil empire the other day, did some searching, and found that it hadn't been shared here, before. Well then, well then..!
It was during his time in the western Pacific in 1944 as a combat correspondent with the United States 1st Marine Division during the invasion of the tiny island of Peleliu that Lea would really make a name for himself among the readers of LIFE. "My work there consisted of trying to keep from getting killed and trying to memorize what I saw and felt," he says.
Lea's vivid, realistic images of the beach landing, and Battle of Peleliu, would impact both readers and himself. The Price and That 2,000 Yard Stare would become among his most famous works. (1,794 Americans died in a two-month period in what many call the war's most controversial battle, due to its questionable strategic value and high death toll). --WP (click there for hi-res version)
As an alt, here's a more florid version of the color scheme that I chanced upon:
Having just watched the 1950s musical "South Pacific" set in the same arena, but very cheerful, and today being the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, seeing this image now is an interesting juxtaposition.
Come to think of it, used the phrase from the title to inquire after a man's wellbeing just two days ago. He blamed it on his colleagues (who were at the bar with him, and who seemed to understand).
Wow.