Ken Bumpus

Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Attended High School in Eugene OR 1951-1945. Enlisted in the US Navy January 1945. Following discharge I used the GI Bill to apprentice in photography. In 1948 I rejoined the Navy and became a Navy Photographer.

I was assigned to document the Inchon landing (1950) One of my photos taken during the landing was later used as an illustration for a ROBERT RIPLEY "BELIEVE IT OR NOT" item. I continued documenting the action until the subsequent UN withdrawal (1951).

In 1963 I was picked as one of the Navy's top ten photographers to study Photojournalism at Syracuse University.

Served three tours in Vietnam as a Navy Combat Photojournalist covering Navy and Marine actions. Earned the Navy Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry among various campaign medals.

Served my final three years as Staff Photojournalist at the US Naval Academy Annapolis, MD

Retired in October 1973. I then worked as Civil Service Photographer at the Navy Recruit Training Center, Orlando, FL and later for the Seminole County, FL. Sheriff's Office

I retired completely in 1992 and began my writing career.

I have since had three books published (two fact/fiction action novels about Navy Combat Photo Teams in Vietnam,the third my autobiography)