R. Keshock at work aboard aircraft with portable camera

 
​ROBERT M. KESHOCK, PhoM3c, USNR WWII
Reconnaissance Photographer - JICPOA (Joint Intelligence Center Pacific Ocean Area)

Robert M. Keshock was born in Campbell, Ohio, in 1925.  He trained for the U.S Navy at Naval Station Great Lakes, in Illinois; and subsequently, at NAS Pensacola.  In 1944 he was transfered to NAS San Diego, from where he departed aboard the USS Franklyn (CV-13), heading to the U.S Territory of Hawaii at NAS Pearl Harbor, and finally to the Makalapa Crater naval housing area, in O'ahu.

At 19, Robert was selected to be a part of the JICPOA (Joint Intelligence Center Pacific Ocean Area), or better known as the “Silver's Gang”— a group of about 180 Navy photographers that became instrumental for reconnaissance. These photogs were part of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz allied units in the Pacific during World War II. Admiral Nimitz had major responsibility for campaigns such as the Battle of Midway, the liberation of Guam, and the seizure of Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.

​The Silver Gang photographers worked tirelessly, and in a period of 3 months they would have between them 2½ million reconnaissance pictures. Their missions included taking aerials, beach charts, moon charts, tide charts, landmarks, and they would also come to photograph island invasions in the pacific theater, including Iwo-Jima. 
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​After the war, Robert followed his sweetheart Kathryn, to Miami, Florida; got married, had two children, and then settled in Fort Lauderdale.  When Robert visited the NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum, he saw a portable camera on exhibit, like the one he used during his service in WWII. He related his experience while stationed in Hawaii, and donated several photo copies. The museum had an album from Frank Frezza (another JICPOA photog), who was also part of the Silver Gang, and to Mr. Keshock's surprise, he found himself in one of the photos! 

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Robert M. Keshock PhoM3c, USNR 

The Makalapa Crater
​Naval Housing Area Makalapa

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz set up temporary offices at Pearl Harbor’s Submarine Base (which was the facility he created and commanded twenty years earlier), and then he moved his Command Center to the recently completed headquarters atop the Makalapa Crater, located at 37 Makalapa Dr,, in the island of O'ahu. He would share offices with his chief of staff ADM Raymond Spruance, for two years. Robert M. Keshock remembers that Adm Nimitz enjoyed taking brisk walks along the hills of the crater area.

Planning for the next day

- click on images to enlarge -

Robert M. Keshock found himself (along with photog Frank Frezza), in this JICPOA photo from August 10, 1945.
​It was taken 15 minutes after the Japanese first surrender proposal.

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