Wallace Strobel

Wallace C. Strobel (June 5, 1922 – August 27, 1999) was a United States Army officer who was the subject of a famous photograph during World War II.

The picture captured Eisenhower speaking to paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division on the eve of the invasion and remains one of the most compelling and classic images from World War II, as well as one of the most famous of General Eisenhower.

[1] Strobel described the photo as follows: "The picture was taken at Greenham Common Airfield in England about 8:30 p.m. on June 5, 1944.

It was shortly before we were to leave the tented assembly area to which, for security reasons, we had been confined for about 5 days.

We had darkened our faces and hands with burned cork, cocoa and cooking oil to be able to blend into the darkness and prevent reflection from the moon.

Strobel (wearing number 23 placard) and the members of Company E, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment , 101st Airborne Division listening to General Dwight D. Eisenhower the night before D-Day