of ap photo of dying marine stirs controversy (lance cpl. joshua m. bernard)

Associated Press Photo of Fatally Wounded Marine Stirs Controversy: The Associated Press published a photo which showed 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard being helped by fellow soldiers after his leg was severed in a Taliban ambush. The photo taken by Associated Press photographer Julie Jacobson during a firefight in the village of Dahaneh in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Bernard later died of his wounds. Photo, taken on 14 Aug, shows Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard injured [photo via]

Defense Secretary Robert Gates personally lobbied the Associated Press in an unsuccessful bid that the news agency honor a family's wish that it not distribute a graphic photograph showing the final moments of their son's life after the marine had been mortally wounded in a firefight in Afghanistan. The photo shows 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard of New Portland, Maine, being helped by squadmates shortly after suffering severe leg injuries in a Taliban ambush in southern Afghanistan in mid-August. He was evacuated to a field hospital where he later died on the operating table. Associated Press photographer Julie Jacobson was embedded with Bernard's squad at the time of the attack and caught the graphic image as it happened. The photo was included as part of a package sent to AP clients that included photos of Bernard's unit on patrol taken shortly before the attack and of a memorial service after his death.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Braxton Russell pays his respects to Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard, inset, during a memorial service. [photo via] Other Links: - AP’s pic of dying Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard spurs pain, controversy - GOP lawmaker: AP photo of wounded soldier 'truly appalling' - Lance cpl. Joshua m. Bernard picture