by Joan Thomas, Art Curator
After the tragic deaths of 220 Marines and 21 US service personnel on 23 October 1983 at the Battalion Landing Team Headquarters, in Beirut, Lebanon, the decision was made by the Marine Corps to send a combat artist to document the event and aftermath.
Major John T. “Jack” Dyer, USMCR (Ret.) was the curator for the Marine Corps’ art collection and had served as a combat artist during Vietnam. Following the terrorist attack, he was recalled to active duty, and within several weeks he received his orders to Lebanon. Dyer departed in December 1983 and remained in country for the next several weeks, creating on-the-spot drawings, sketches and watercolors of what he was seeing on the ground. Upon his return to the States, he resumed his retired status and once again took up his position as curator of art for the Marine Corps’ Museum and History Division (the predecessor to the National Museum of the Marine Corps). During his time in Beirut, Dyer created over ninety-five works, and later continued to use his sketches and drawings to create finished studio works in watercolor.
For many of his pieces, Dyer preferred sepia brown toned ink in his drawings and sketches. The ink also served as the underdrawings for several of his later finished watercolors. The ink could also be combined with liquid to make a wash of brown toned color. Below is a small sampling of the drawings and watercolors the artist completed or composed while in Beirut.
After the tragic deaths of 220 Marines and 21 US service personnel on 23 October 1983 at the Battalion Landing Team Headquarters, in Beirut, Lebanon, the decision was made by the Marine Corps to send a combat artist to document the event and aftermath.
Major John T. “Jack” Dyer, USMCR (Ret.) was the curator for the Marine Corps’ art collection and had served as a combat artist during Vietnam. Following the terrorist attack, he was recalled to active duty, and within several weeks he received his orders to Lebanon. Dyer departed in December 1983 and remained in country for the next several weeks, creating on-the-spot drawings, sketches and watercolors of what he was seeing on the ground. Upon his return to the States, he resumed his retired status and once again took up his position as curator of art for the Marine Corps’ Museum and History Division (the predecessor to the National Museum of the Marine Corps). During his time in Beirut, Dyer created over ninety-five works, and later continued to use his sketches and drawings to create finished studio works in watercolor.
For many of his pieces, Dyer preferred sepia brown toned ink in his drawings and sketches. The ink also served as the underdrawings for several of his later finished watercolors. The ink could also be combined with liquid to make a wash of brown toned color. Below is a small sampling of the drawings and watercolors the artist completed or composed while in Beirut.
"Hotel" Battery, 3/10 BLT, 2/8, Beirut by Major John T. Dyer, Jr., USMCR (Ret)
Pen and ink, wash on offset printing blotter paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.318
The remains of BLT HQ building in Beirut, Lebanon, which was destroyed by terrorist bombing on 23 October 1983.
Pen and ink, wash on offset printing blotter paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.318
The remains of BLT HQ building in Beirut, Lebanon, which was destroyed by terrorist bombing on 23 October 1983.
Tragic Monument - Beirut, Lebanon, 1983 by Major John T. Dyer, Jr., USMCR (Ret)
Pen and brown ink with watercolor wash on Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.211
Twisted metal support rods, shards of concrete, masonry, stanchions, and other debris form a tragic reminder of the October 23, 1983 bombing of the Battalion Landing Team headquarters building at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon.
Pen and brown ink with watercolor wash on Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.211
Twisted metal support rods, shards of concrete, masonry, stanchions, and other debris form a tragic reminder of the October 23, 1983 bombing of the Battalion Landing Team headquarters building at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon.
"Fox" Company CP, Beirut, Lebanon by Major John T. Dyer, Jr., USMCR (Ret)
Pen and ink on offset printing blotter paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.277
Fox Company observation post in Beirut, Lebanon, on December 29, 1983. Second platoon commander is Randolph H. Giles, III.
Pen and ink on offset printing blotter paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.277
Fox Company observation post in Beirut, Lebanon, on December 29, 1983. Second platoon commander is Randolph H. Giles, III.
Amtrac Position, Beirut, Lebanon by Major John T. Dyer, Jr., USMCR (Ret)
Watercolor on Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.203
A Marine LVTP-7 amphibious tractor is backed into a bulldozed revetment at the entrance to the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) headquarters area in Beirut, Lebanon, during late 1983.
Watercolor on Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.203
A Marine LVTP-7 amphibious tractor is backed into a bulldozed revetment at the entrance to the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) headquarters area in Beirut, Lebanon, during late 1983.
"Hotel" Battery Command Post by Major John T. Dyer, Jr., USMCR (Ret)
Watercolor on Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.201
Beirut's white and beige buildings contrast with the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea as a Marine CH-46 helicopter follows a zig zag route passing "Hotel" Battery's sand bagged bunkers during January 1984.
Watercolor on Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.201
Beirut's white and beige buildings contrast with the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea as a Marine CH-46 helicopter follows a zig zag route passing "Hotel" Battery's sand bagged bunkers during January 1984.
Ferret Patrol, British Lancers by Major John T. Dyer, Jr., USMCR (Ret)
Pen and ink, watercolor Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.195
Crewmen of a British Lancers "FERRET" scout car wait news of a fellow lancer wounded by a sniper's bullet. The British soldier was treated at the 22 MAU field hospital compound at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, early 1984. The Marines were part of a larger multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
Pen and ink, watercolor Arches 300lb watercolor paper
Accession number: 2012.1001.195
Crewmen of a British Lancers "FERRET" scout car wait news of a fellow lancer wounded by a sniper's bullet. The British soldier was treated at the 22 MAU field hospital compound at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, early 1984. The Marines were part of a larger multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
These works are part of the more than 600 drawings, sketches and paintings created by Dyer during his time with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program and service as the Curator of Art for the Marine Corps’ Museum and History Division.
Read more about the history of the bombing of Beirut in the U.S. Marine Corps History Division publication U.S. Marines in Lebanon 1982-1984.
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