Adams, Eddie, 1933-2004

Eddie Adams began his photography career as a high school student in Kensington, Pa. He served as a Marine combat photographer during the Korean War, and in 1962, he joined the Associated Press (AP). After 10 years, Adams left the AP for Time magazine and freelance work. In 1976, he rejoined the AP as the first and only photographer to hold the title of special correspondent.

While he was on assignment for the AP, Adams carried his camera through 150 operations in Vietnam. He also covered wars in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Portugal, Ireland, Lebanon and Kuwait. “Boat of No Smiles,” his series on the Vietnamese boat people, persuaded the United States to admit 200,000 Vietnamese refugees at the end of the war.

From 1980 until his death in 2004, Adams was a photographer for Parade magazine, which featured more than 350 of his photos on its covers.

Adams was awarded more than 500 photojournalism awards during his lifetime, including the George Polk Award for News Photography in 1968, 1977 and 1978, the Robert Capa Gold Medal in 1977 and numerous awards from such organizations as World Press Photo, the National Press Photographers Association, Sigma Delta Chi and the Overseas Press Club.

Eddie Adams began his photography career as a high school student in Kensington, Pa.

He served as a Marine combat photographer during the Korean War, and in 1962, he joined the Associated Press (AP). After 10 years, Adams left the AP for Time magazine and freelance work. In 1976, he rejoined the AP as the first and only photographer to hold the title of special correspondent. While he was on assignment for the AP, Adams carried his camera through 150 operations in Vietnam. He also covered wars in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Portugal, Ireland, Lebanon and Kuwait. "Boat of No Smiles," his series on the Vietnamese boat people, persuaded the United States to admit 200,000 Vietnamese refugees at the end of the war. From 1980 until his death in 2004, Adams was a photographer for Parade magazine, which featured more than 350 of his photos on its covers.