NEW ORLEANS — The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will recognize journalist/filmmakers Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington with its 2011 Bugle Award for bringing the story of combat in Afghanistan home to the American public.

The annual award recognizes outstanding journalism and will be presented August 6 by DAV National Commander Wallace E. Tyson at the organization’s 90th National Convention at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

In 2007, Junger and Hetherington traveled to Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley to embed with Battle Company, 173rd Airborne. From that experience, the duo brought home the war in books, articles, and, most famously, the documentary film “Restrepo,” which was nominated for an Academy Award earlier this year.

“Sebastian and Tim courageously dug in with combat soldiers in some very hostile territory in order to tell the story of the men who defended Outpost Restrepo,” said Commander Tyson. “We are grateful to have such brave men who are willing to risk it all to tell the truth about the service and sacrifice of our troops in combat.”

Tragically, the award will be presented to Hetherington posthumously. The acclaimed filmmaker and photographer was killed by mortar fire on April 11, 2011 in the besieged city of Misrata, Libya, while covering the Libyan civil war.

“We mourn the loss of Tim Hetherington but stand in awe of his accomplishments,” said DAV National Adjutant/CEO Arthur H. Wilson. “The British-born photographer was known for his intrepid journeys into some of the darkest corners of the world in order to shine light on the horrors of war.”

“The documentary feature film “Restrepo” stands as one of the all-time great meditations on combat. It is a beautiful, terrifying glimpse into the lives of young soldiers who live and die in the cold embrace of a craggy mountain outpost. The Academy Award nomination Tim and Sebastian received for this film was fitting, but the real award will come as this film continues to stand the test of time and inform our debates on the cost of sending young men and women into harm’s way,” Wilson said.

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation's disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization's website www.dav.org.

###

2011 National Convention