Jack Barnett(1906-1967)
- Cinematographer
Chicago native Jack Barnett's career as a newsreel cameraman spanned
some forty years. Two of his earliest assignments were covering the
aftermath of the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre and the Chicago
Stock Yards Fire of 19 May, 1934.
After the United States entered the Second World War, Barnett became the first newsreel cameraman to be sent overseas with American troops. While covering the conflict in North Africa and Italy, Barnett was awarded the Purple Heart and at one time managed to capture thirty-five Italian soldiers who mistook his newsreel camera for a machine gun.
Later Barnett was the official cameraman for NASA at Cape Kennedy and a freelance cameraman for NBC News.
After the United States entered the Second World War, Barnett became the first newsreel cameraman to be sent overseas with American troops. While covering the conflict in North Africa and Italy, Barnett was awarded the Purple Heart and at one time managed to capture thirty-five Italian soldiers who mistook his newsreel camera for a machine gun.
Later Barnett was the official cameraman for NASA at Cape Kennedy and a freelance cameraman for NBC News.