Stanley P. Friedman
Encyclopedia
Stanley Philip Friedman (February 3, 1925 – July 14, 2006) was a New York City
-based author and award-winning photographer.
. Enlisting in the US Army Air Corps in World War II
, he achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. As bombardier of B-24 and then B-17 aircraft, Friedman flew 36 missions over Belgium, France, Holland and Germany in the 861st Bomb Squadron, 493rd Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division, 8th Air Force. After his tour in the European Theater of Operations
, he gained his commission and trained to become a pilot. He was released from the Air Corps at the convenience of the Army on 17 October 1945, after the war's end. For his air service in operations over Normandy
, Northern France, the Rhineland, and the Ardennes
, he was decorated with the Air Medal
, 1 silver cluster (5 earnings).
from the University of Washington
. He then moved to New York City
, where he began shooting hundreds of photos in his spare time. Many of the prints appeared in prominent newspapers, including a widely-circulated photo showing Friedman's wife Jean and his small son Nick expressing surprise at a seemingly broken water fountain suddenly springing to life. Another photo of Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.
, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
, and his wife on a bench in Central Park
, appeared on the front page of the New York Herald Tribune
.
: His Life Story in Pictures, The Kennedy Family Scrapbook, and True Quotes (the last under the pseudonym of "Ike Macgillicuddy"). Friedman was also photo editor on Robert MacNeil
's acclaimed book, The Way We Were: 1963, The Year Kennedy Was Shot.
Friedman was the author of numerous freelance articles in such publications as The New York Times
, New York
, Esquire
, National Lampoon and the Village Voice. He conceived of a layout for a 1981 Esquire article entitled "Got the Picture?", which went on to win a national design award. It consisted of a two-page spread containing empty rectangles where photos might logically appear, under which captions written by Friedman described famous events in modern history that were so prominent in the public mind that many swore they had seen the photographs, though none existed. Among them: Nikita Khrushchev
using his shoe as a gavel on the dais during a U.N. speech, and Babe Ruth
pointing to center field in the 1932 World Series
prior to hitting a home run there.
A lifelong movie buff, Friedman appeared as an extra in 1982 in Still Of The Night, starring Roy Scheider
and Meryl Streep
. Friedman vowed to pursue his writing career "until they find me dead at the keyboard." True to his word, his end came just a few feet away from his computer, in his sleep, on July 14, 2006. The screen contained a poem Friedman was composing. He was buried, as per his wishes, with a cup of coffee and a New York Times in his coffin. His epitaph: "Fifty Years on the Writer's Rock Pile."
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based author and award-winning photographer.
War service
Friedman was born in Seattle, and attended Garfield High SchoolGarfield High School (Seattle, Washington)
James A. Garfield High School is a public high school in the Seattle Public Schools district of Seattle, Washington, USA.Located along 23rd Avenue between E. Alder and E. Jefferson Streets in Seattle's urban Central District, Garfield draws students from all over the city...
. Enlisting in the US Army Air Corps in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. As bombardier of B-24 and then B-17 aircraft, Friedman flew 36 missions over Belgium, France, Holland and Germany in the 861st Bomb Squadron, 493rd Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division, 8th Air Force. After his tour in the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
, he gained his commission and trained to become a pilot. He was released from the Air Corps at the convenience of the Army on 17 October 1945, after the war's end. For his air service in operations over Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, Northern France, the Rhineland, and the Ardennes
Ardennes
The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests, rolling hills and ridges formed within the Givetian Ardennes mountain range, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France , and geologically into the Eifel...
, he was decorated with the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, 1 silver cluster (5 earnings).
Photography
After the war, Friedman took a degree in English LiteratureEnglish literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. He then moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he began shooting hundreds of photos in his spare time. Many of the prints appeared in prominent newspapers, including a widely-circulated photo showing Friedman's wife Jean and his small son Nick expressing surprise at a seemingly broken water fountain suddenly springing to life. Another photo of Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. was a Republican United States Senator from Massachusetts and a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, South Vietnam, West Germany, and the Holy See . He was the Republican nominee for Vice President in the 1960 Presidential election.-Early life:Lodge was born in Nahant,...
, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, and his wife on a bench in Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, appeared on the front page of the New York Herald Tribune
New York Herald Tribune
The New York Herald Tribune was a daily newspaper created in 1924 when the New York Tribune acquired the New York Herald.Other predecessors, which had earlier merged into the New York Tribune, included the original The New Yorker newsweekly , and the Whig Party's Log Cabin.The paper was home to...
.
Writing
After an incident where Friedman, attempting a nature shot while perched precariously on a log over a stream, fell and doused himself and his camera, he focused his efforts primarily on writing. He wrote four books, Those Magnificent Kennedy Women, Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
: His Life Story in Pictures, The Kennedy Family Scrapbook, and True Quotes (the last under the pseudonym of "Ike Macgillicuddy"). Friedman was also photo editor on Robert MacNeil
Robert MacNeil
Robert Breckenridge Ware MacNeil, OC, known sometimes as Robin MacNeil, , is currently a novelist and formerly was a television news anchor and journalist who had paired with Jim Lehrer to create The MacNeil/Lehrer Report in 1975.-Early life:MacNeil was born in Montreal, the son of Margaret...
's acclaimed book, The Way We Were: 1963, The Year Kennedy Was Shot.
Friedman was the author of numerous freelance articles in such publications as The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
, Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
, National Lampoon and the Village Voice. He conceived of a layout for a 1981 Esquire article entitled "Got the Picture?", which went on to win a national design award. It consisted of a two-page spread containing empty rectangles where photos might logically appear, under which captions written by Friedman described famous events in modern history that were so prominent in the public mind that many swore they had seen the photographs, though none existed. Among them: Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
using his shoe as a gavel on the dais during a U.N. speech, and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
pointing to center field in the 1932 World Series
1932 World Series
The 1932 World Series was played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs , with the Yankees holding home field advantage. The Yankees swept the Cubs, four games to none...
prior to hitting a home run there.
A lifelong movie buff, Friedman appeared as an extra in 1982 in Still Of The Night, starring Roy Scheider
Roy Scheider
Roy Richard Scheider was an American actor. He was best known for his leading role as police chief Martin C...
and Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
. Friedman vowed to pursue his writing career "until they find me dead at the keyboard." True to his word, his end came just a few feet away from his computer, in his sleep, on July 14, 2006. The screen contained a poem Friedman was composing. He was buried, as per his wishes, with a cup of coffee and a New York Times in his coffin. His epitaph: "Fifty Years on the Writer's Rock Pile."