Co Rentmeester’s Camera

Co Rentmeester was a Life Magazine photographer covering the war. Ken Pollard, of the 221st Signal Company, was doing the same for his Uncle Sam at a much lower rate of pay. One day in early May of 1968, both Pollard and Rentmeester were covering what is known as “the French cemetery battle” in Saigon. Somehow that day, Pollard, as seen on the right, wound up with Rentmeester’s damaged camera. Rentmeester had been wounded as seen below.

“I think I was on the other side of a wall when Rentmeester was wounded. I was up against a wall and heard AK rounds going through a steel drum on the other side of the wall. As each round went through the drum I coud hear the sound of the rounds making contact with someone ,grunting noise, etc. Don't ever hide behind an empty steel drum!!!  The photo of me with the bullet damaged camera was taken by my buddy, Jim Fitzpatrick.  I never made contact with Co Rentmeester. After we got back to our unit we sent the camera downtown to Rentmeester, but never heard anything. I do know he had many operations on his left hand. Life mag. had a big spread on Rentmeester being wounded, with photo's. “
     - Ken Pollard

Co Rentmeester  took the picture on the right of an M48 tankgunner, US 7th regiment in Vietnam's 'Iron Triangle'. The picture was honored as World Press Photo of the Year in 1967.
Rentmeester is still an active photographer.  

Ken Pollard

Co Rentmeester