Rest in Peace Norm Hatch Combat cameraman whose powerful footage of the battle of Tarawa brought the war home.

[devildog34]

Sad to report that Major Norm Hatch who provided much of the footage for "With the Marines at Tarawa" passed away at 11:00 a.m. yesterday. God bless you and Semper Fidelis.

 

http://www.usmccca.org/archives/11003

[BILL THE PATCH]

Rip ,sir

 

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

 

[Kurt Barickman]

Kevin, thanks for posting this. Norm was a great American and Marine as well. If it were not for Norm, we would not have the great footage of the Tarawa battle that those many of us who are truly Tarawaophiles can see what this horrific battle was truly like. I spoke with Norm several years ago and he was a regular contributor to the 2nd Marine Division Association Magazine. Semper Fi and have a great trip Norm!

Kurt

[sundance]

May he rest in peace. It's sad to see all these WW2 vets leaving this world. I'm sure I've seen "With the Marines at Tarawa" but I'll have to see if I can find it and watch it in Major Hatch's memory.

[M422A1]

I just watched "With The Marines At Tarawa" a few weeks ago. RIP Norm...

[38Driver]

Seems like I recall he was from Minnesota. Kurt is that a correct memory?

[crashdive]

Going to watch "With the Marines at Tarawa" this weekend and pay my respects.

[Kurt Barickman]

Seems like I recall he was from Minnesota. Kurt is that a correct memory?

I don't think so.

 

Kurt

[RobL]

So sad to hear about his passing.

 

He was always so giving of his time and recollections. I had the honor of visiting with him and interviewing him for a number of shows since we first met at a combat camera reunion back in the mid 80's.

 

The last time we met, it was for a segment of Mail Call. To our great joy, the USMC sent his Oscar with an escort (on our dime) to our set so Gunny could show everyone what that legendary gentleman had accomplished.

 

His 'thumbs up' review of the stories I did on him meant more than anything.

 

I owed (and continue to owe) him a great deal - the imagery he and his brethren captured in combat essentially made my career possible.

 

He was a giant, and will be missed.

 

RL

 

 

[38Driver]

I don't think so.

 

Kurt

Got the names mixed up. It was Iwo photographer Bill Genaust that is the Minnesotan

[Jarhead8007]

RIP Maj Hatch!

 

I met him a couple years ago at a book signing for "War Shots", his narrative of combat camera during WWII. I asked him about what happened to the base of the Oscar, and all he said was "Sh*t happens". The Oscar (dent and all) is on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico.