European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 06, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Cover Story ten Vaccare Soldier on the go during the Battle of the Rhine in March 1945 in photo marred by water stains. Tony Vaccaro the body of a German Soldier and his family photos lie in Germany s Hurtgen Forest in december 1944. By Timothy Cahill new York Bureau half Century after world War air time has whittled away Many veterans Mem ories of their service in Europe to handful of stories the reminiscences fold Conrades and a collection of fading snapshots in a Seldom visited  Tony Vaccaro however the War is nearly As vivid now As when he was fighting it. Unlike other former gis recalling the old Days on Friday veterans Day Vaccaro photographed his experience in Battle from Landing in Normandy in mid june 1944 to meeting the russians outside Berlin in april the next Spring. The nearly 4,000 Pic Tures he took during that year of its agonies triumphs and mediums form what must surely be one of the most comprehensive records of life in warfare Ever captured on film. In this year s 50th-anniversary commemoration of the liberation of France Vaccaro s photographic Odyssey has been lauded by the French government and press and the photographer 71, has  Hon ored there As historian and artist. Over the course of this year he has been in his Darkroom printing hundreds of pictures for exhibition and publication across France in the process Vaccaro has been re visiting the daily horror and Hope he his fellow infantrymen and civilians endured As they battled the nazi War machine. He describes what reliving that time has been like i remember exactly the words that the soldiers were saying sometimes their last words. It was unbelievable. I d put the negative in the enlarger i might be whistling Happy and suddenly they talk to me and i d say of my god he died the next Day " Vaccaro s project began with a Schoolboy s Ambi Tion to work for the Era s big picture magazines life or look. A promising photographer at a new Rochelle High school in the suburbs North of new York City Vaccaro was near graduation when the Japa Nese attacked Pearl Harbor. A few months later when he was drafted into the army Vaccaro decided to create a photographic Book documenting his experience As a Soldier. The project would be his baptism into his chosen profession. In Boot Camp and in Europe Vaccaro s com manding officers agreed to his plan on the strict condition it not interfere with his duty As a Soldier in the 331st inf regt As part of Gen. George Pat ton s 3rd army Vaccaro spent much of the War under the orders of old blood and guts As he stormed across France Belgium and Germany. Carrying his my in his hand and his camera on a Short strap around his neck Vaccaro fought in con tinned on Page 6 Tony Vaccaro cover photo Soldier helps wounded comrad during fighting before the army entered Berlin. Page 4 sunday november 6,1994