By admin | October 1st, 2010

Fabbri: Combat Cameraman dies in Combat Operation

Lance Cpl. Ralph J. Fabbri,of Gallitzin, Pennsylvania died at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan

It is with deep sorrow that we report that a Camp Pendleton-based combat camera photographer was killed in combat in Afghanistan on Sept. 28.

Lance Cpl. Ralph J. Fabbr of Gallitzin, Penn.

Lance Cpl. Ralph J. Fabbri of Gallitzin, Penn.

Lance Cpl. Ralph J. Fabbri, of Gallitzin, Pennsylvania died at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan according to the Department of Defense. He was assigned to the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He is a 2008 graduate of Penn Cambria High School where he was an art honors student. He was outgoing, artistic as well as an avid hunter and fisherman.

Fabbri enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps soon after graduation where he served as a Combat Photographer. He went to DINFOS and graduated from Basic Still Photography in 2009 and more recently, the Digital Multi-Media Course in February of this year. He was in the final weeks of a six-month tour. As a talented artist, some of his work is displayed at his high school and has also been exhibited at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Mount Aloysius College.

According to the Altoona Mirror, Fabbri aspired to be an art teacher after his tour and will be remember as “a down-to-earth, fun-loving and considerate person.”
DINFOS will hold a remembrance ceremony in the Hall of Heroes to honor LCpl. Fabbri once they receive the name plate for The Wall.

Editor’s note: A very nice piece honoring Fabbri written by Gunnery Sgt. William Price can be seen on the DVIDS website or copy and paste the following URL: http://admin.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=58459

Jack Paxton

October 19th, 2010 at 14:0

“The notice of Lance Corporal Ralph Fabbri’s death in combat is a severe blow to me as I feel like I have lost a close friend or brother! As an original member of the Marine Corps Photographic Services, that established the roles and missions of Marine photographers, I understand that his death was in fulfillment of that responsibility. Few realize that to accomplish or obtain photography in close combat conditions the photographer has a target on his back. It is one of the most dangerous jobs in the military because he or she can rarely crouch down or lay flat on the ground to take a photo. They must walk through the action to get the photography that is essential to field commanders and higher ups as well as keeping the public informed. No higher duty exists! L/C Ralph Fabbri lived up to that tradition and should be so honored amongst his friends, the Corps and his family. To his family I offer my sincerest condolences for their loss!”

Major Norm Hatch USMCR (Ret)