Michael D. Fay

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Michael D. Fay
Image:Replace this image male.svg
Place of birth Allentown, PA
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Rank Chief Warrant Officer-2
Battles/wars Operation Desert Shield[1]

Operation Desert Storm[2]
Operation Eastern Exit[3]
Operation Provide Promise[4]
Operation Enduring Freedom(twice)
-Operation Anaconda [5]
-Operation Mavericks [6]
Operation Iraqi Freedom(twice)
-Operation River Gate [7]
-Operation Steel Curtain [8]
-Operation Iron Hammer [9]
Awards Navy Commendation Medal
Navy Achievement Medalx2
Combat Action Ribbon

Chief Warrant Officer-2 (CWO2) Michael D. Fay is an USMC combat artist, whose work is displayed in various museums in the U.S., including the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA, in the Marine Corps Combat Art collection, on his blog (see below), and in the recently-built Marine Corps Museum outside Marine Corps Base Quantico, in the Washington, D.C. area. The U.S. Marine Corps employs two combat artists, total, to produce fine art based on their experience of combat and the life of fellow Marines in the field. The position is historical, though few people initially know that it exists. Fay's work has also been displayed in Leatherneck Magazine, the official magazine of the Marine Corps. Fay has also published his written work in the New York Times' Times Select. He resides in Fredericksburg, VA.

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[edit] Military career

Fay enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1975 and was discharged 1978 as a 81mm mortarman (MOS 0341).

In 1978 he returned to The Pennsylvania State University and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelors of Science in Art Education. He then re-enlisted into the Marines in 1983 and served as an avionics technician (MOS 6322)working on CH-46s, VH-3Ds, CH-53Es and UH/AH-1s in both the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (HMM-365) until 1993. In addition to his technical assignments Fay served a tour on recruiting duty (MOS 8411) at Recruiting Station Baltimore and was their recruiter of the year for both 1989 and 1990. He left active duty at the end of September 1993 and returned to service in the Marine Corps Reserve in January of 2000.

Fay's currently assigned as an official combat artist with the National Museum of the Marine Corps Combat Art Collection.

In an interview with the Wild River Review, Fay said "he hopes that his work, though grounded in realism, is more poetry than prose, and more art than journalism."

[edit] Honors and awards

Throughout his Marine Corps career he has received more than 21 military honors including the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, and 2 Navy Achievement Medals.

In 1986 Fay earned his Naval Aircrew Wings as a VH-3D crewchief and the Presidential Service Badge.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links