Behind The Pearl Earrings: The Story of Dickey Chapelle, Combat Photojournalist | Program |

[Original Airdate: November 3, 2015]
Clad in fatigues, an Australian bush hat, harlequin eyeglasses, a Leica camera slung around her shoulders and an infamous pair of pearl earrings, Dickey Chapelle stood out and defied everyone's notion of what a war correspondent was. Striving to not just capture the horrors of the war, but also the day-to-day lives of soldiers, how combat took a heavy toll on them and what was really happening on the front lines.

[@leanajo754]

I was in 8th grade the first time I had heard of her. I was in history class & it was the last day of school before summer break. My history teacher had a bunch of old National Geographic magazines in the back of the class, in shelves. I asked if I could look at one & she said, "Of course". So it was one from the 60's & there was Dickey's photo. I read the whole thing & a part of the story she wrote after....Ever since then, she became one of my favorite famous women. And it also inspired me to join the Army, which I did in 1995 & served 6 years....RIP, Dickey, keep inspiring others as I was....

[@michaelwisner4941]

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and a disabled Vietnam era veteran, I salute You Dickie the Best by Test, thank you for your service Mam !!!

[@mac609]

Too my shame, I've never heard of Dickey Chapelle. She's my kind of woman. Way before her time. Fiesty and fearless. I thank her for paving the way for so many other women!

[@mountainfoxe]

The greatest woman in the world for me! I'd very much like to communicate with her relatives, just to tell them that Dickey is still remembered even in Russia. I've been really touched. She's continuing her life in our hearts - hearts that has been touched by her photoes, by her life. We still love her even without knowing her alive.

[@MaryCurtis]

My dad does a lot of our genealogy and he'd be a good person to talk with to get stories or pictures or information on her.

[@samuelparker9882]

Mountain Fox In a word... ICONIC!! MISS CHAPELLE YOU ARE NOT NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE FORGOTTEN!! REST IN ETERNAL PEACE! IT'S JUST SAD THAT HUMANS HAVEN'T LEARNED THE TRUE UGLINESS OF WAR THAT YOU SO POINENTLY WERE ATTRACTED TO AND DESPISED SIMULTANEOUSLY!

[@nata3467]

How has this story or Doc Kate from Woodruff not been made into movies? Heroic and inspiring women!!!

[@ionidhunedoara1491]

Thank you for keeping alive the memory of this remarkable woman

[@sookie4195]

I wanted to join the Air Force in 1970 when I was 18. As a farm girl I listened to my parents. I didn’t go. My biggest regret of my life. Later I became a photographer. I so wish that I had known about Dickey back then.

[@Cheesemaster413]

A fantastic production about an incredible woman who "marched to a different drum". My complements to MPTV for this outstanding historical biography....

[@sputumtube]

One of the most moving and inspirational documentaries I've ever seen. The emotion of the gentleman at 49mins had me in tears.

[@sooz9433]

Duckey Chapelle was a woman for whom I hold deep admiration and respect. She was amazing in every way as were all of her fellow photojournalists but Dickey more so because she was truly existing and thriving in a man's World. She'll always be a Hero in my eyes.

[@Pulsonar]

Randomly came across a gruesome photo of this phenomenal woman being given the last rites after a booby-trap mine incident in Vietnam 1965, the tragic end of an epic trail-blazing road. It is astonishing that a person of such legendary calibre has not yet had a biopic made!

[@ok-pj4eu]

She Made a mistake going on patrol with the Marines that day.

[@millieatr]

I have to say over the years I have watched countless Vietnam war document. (former army myself) and until today I did not know who Dickey Chapelle was .. why is that? Thank You Miss Chapelle and rest in peace

[@rembeadgc]

Yet another human being who makes it an honor to be a photographer.

[@cedricliggins7528]

That photo of her dead is so heartbreaking. RIP Dickey

[@ronhipwell5543]

Just seeing this excellent tribute to a one of a kind photographer. Thank you to all who made this moving film. Awesome work!

[@philippemetois6491]

she had so much courage, so much passion for war photography... beautiful woman

[@markrooke1961]

A great story of a truly remarkable woman. her legacy should be an inspiration to us all.

[@andrewwebb-trezzi2422]

This woman closed with and engaged the enemy with a camera during some of the largest battles in human history. Absolutely nuts. She should have been given military awards. At least a Purple Heart.

[@joe-qo3qi]

As a Nam Vet it would have been a real experience to have seen her in country while there. Although being Army in 1970-71 the coverage she did for the Vietnam War and what went on there iam grateful.

[@delvoniaquasbex5902]

I ended up here from reading up on war photographers like Robert Capa, Tim Page etc. What seems to set the great names of war photography apart from the rest of the pack is not so much photographic ability (let's be honest, you'd have to be unusually incompetent not to be able to capture striking images in a war situation). The difference seems to do with the willingness to go that bit closer to the danger than the others. Call it courage, craziness, whatever you want. The greater the risks the greater the photos. No war photographer ever won awards by staying safely behind the lines.

[@heavydoom]

wow!!!!! what a riveting video! thank you so much for uploading this amazing vdeo on this great person!!! i had tears in my eyes towards the end.

[@RobtDMcKenzie]

Welcome Home Dickey. Thank you for your service to our country.

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

Thank God somebody made the effort to tell her story.

[@shadowwolf2524]

I read a book about this interesting lady several years ago. She was amazing !

[@landsystems5807]

On american veteran center, there is an interview with a man that was on the patrol when she died. Its title is "Marine Sniper Behind...." that how I found this, he had a lot of respect for her.

[@LanceMcCormick]

I have a letter sent from my father to his parents from Nam Nov 12. He was there the day she died following his squad forward air controllers, my dad was 1st Lt McCormick then. He later died piloting a Ch53 in March of 1973 as a Major. When my grandparents died, I found all his letters he had written to his parents from his tours in nam. I found this letter from his 1st tour. I was 8 when he died so never really knew the man. Letters helped later in life! This is exactly what he wrote word for word. "That woman reporter you heard about - "Dickie Chappell" was with us when she tripped that booby trap. In fact she was only 50 yards from me and we all thought it was a mortar attack. Wasn't much we could do - she died almost instantly - It caught her in the neck and blew all her face right off - not a pretty sight at 7:00 in the morning."

[@AvicSubfusca]

Incredible. I would publish those letters somewhere. So many people would be interested.

[@jonhenson5450]

Respect for your dad's contribution to the Corps. L 3/1 1st MARDIV.

[@mrjohn.whereyoufrom]

Thank you for this video. Been searching for more info about Dickey Chapelle.

[@warmbeergamingdude]

My favorite woman of ALL TIME!

[@jenniferblair8664]

Omg Dickies niece looks just like her!! Crazy

[@cedricliggins7528]

She's pretty

[@GailanHaji]

Greats story and Documentary.

[@bobblount7183]

my best friend was the corpsman that first reach her when she got hit.

[@decimated550]

oh really . RIP poor Dickey 44:33

[@MaryCurtis]

she is my ancestor!

[@saml7020]

Respect from Afghanistan!

[@e4mafia8283]

We may be related!

[@arrtee4707]

Hmm..outstanding example of dedication towards her photographic career.

[@michaelbelt8768]

Wow, where are women like her now? Damn...

[@Basilsegro]

Today, women photographers are in the military.

[@cedricliggins7528]

I agree. She still maintained her femininity through it all.

[@CRJines]

We should all know her name...

[@tjmanou6422]

The voice over lady sounds like she's pissed :)

[@karaleigh_eva]

Is there anywhere I can find a transcript of this video?

[@MilwaukeePBS]

Yes - please email [e-mail] and request the transcript - that way we can get it back to you.

[@edmerrell4576]

My brother Cpl Lowell H Merrell First Force Reconnaissance Co Sub Unit 1 USMC was killed in action VN April 1965.

[@stephencross6474]

What a remarkable woman…

[@jennparent2293]

I nominated her for a Google Doodle!

[@cedricliggins7528]

45:00 She is so pretty. She looks like her aunt Dickey

[@vyzant4697]

Respect

[@KyokushinNidan]

Wow! Incredible story. Incredible woman. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

[@jonhenson5450]

Too bad it wasn't Morley Safer. He directly caused the death of 2 Marines. India 3/3 DMZ, Northern I Corps, 1969.

[@skillexe_tv4794]

her familymembers look so alike ..

[@leehee5596]

.

[@cedricliggins7528]

35:13