The true story behind one of the Vietnam War's most famous photographs

“Help From Above,” was one of the most iconic images of the Vietnam War. The photo was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and served as inspiration for the poster of the Vietnam War movie “Platoon”. It graced the covers of countless books and was printed and reprinted on the front pages of newspapers across the world. No one — including the Associated Press — had, in the intervening five decades, thought to inquire as to the specific circumstances surrounding the photograph. In 2017, I was the first to do so. Taken by Art Greenspon, a freelance AP photographer at the time, the photograph’s subject, Sgt. Maj. Watson Baldwin, stands with his arms in the air, signaling to the incoming aircraft. On the ground lies Spc. 4 Dallas Brown, writhing in pain from a back injury. In the far right, a helmetless soldier, Sgt. Tim Wintenburg, glances back at the camera as he carries a wounded comrade. The image has inspired movie posters, book covers, and copycats.

I went to the movies with a bunch of other grunts from my unit on opening night of Platoon in our area. Most of my buddies loved it, I hated it and said so. It was a slap to an Iconic photo. I hated the fact it made grunts look like drug using murdering rapist. I will not say these things did not happen they happen in every war, I think. But I would not become what I saw of that I am proud. I am sorry for the young soldiers who loved that hateful movie.