Max Lederer

Proudly serving those who serve for 80 years

More than eight decades ago, as the world reeled from the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered a war that would reshape history. Amid the turmoil of the Pacific theater, Stars and Stripes emerged as a vital source of information, reporting the battles, the hardships, and the triumphs of American service members. 

The Pacific stars of Stripes

Stars and Stripes was meant to be a GI’s newspaper, so it should come as no surprise that many of the publication’s standout journalists were active-duty service members. Stars and Stripes’ Pacific staffers went on to work for “60 Minutes,” draw for Marvel Comics and snap photos for Life magazine.

Exclusive coverage of Olympic doping scandal catapulted former Stars and Stripes staffer’s career

Among them was former Stars and Stripes Pacific sports staffer Shelley Smith, who was about to get a huge career boost thanks to all that was breaking: “Ben Johnson has been caught taking drugs and is expected to be stripped of his 100-meter gold medal, according to International Olympic Committee sources,” the bulletin read from The Associated Press and other news services and sources.

Toshi Cooper, Librarian

After wartime terror and defeat, a Japanese life is rebuilt around Stars and Stripes

Former Stripes journalists look back on ‘an amazing experience’ in the Pacific

Working for Stars and Stripes Pacific marked a significant phase in many of its alumnus’ careers.