In the Dark of the Sun by Kim Martin and Myke Hawke

Special Forces Art Lance Nelson and James Dietz

LANCE NELSON AND JAMES DIETZ

Two of the most prominent military
artists among the handful of those
who sketch and paint the Armed Forces

EXTRACTION FROM A HOT LZ

Their ammo, and quite possibly their luck nearly depleted, these operators are desperate for a lift home...and right now there's nothing more welcome than the sight of a Blackhawk helicopter overhead.

CAUTIOUS ADVANCE

A shemagh-clad operator moving slowly past the burning hulk of an obliterated enemy tank smoldering behind a sand berm...M60E3 at the ready, his trained eye watches for any movement ahead as he executes his "cautious advance."

TALKING TACTICS

U.S. Army Special Forces takes cover behind a crumbling structure to discuss their next move. This area is not yet secure so an M60 is posted to keep a look out. A Northern Alliance soldier accompanies this team to act as translator and liason between themselves and the local population and hovers in the background.

FROM THE FIELD

Lance Nelson, who is also a language specialist, sniper, and designer-inventor, has been churning out military artwork for the better part of 35 years. He was recently commissioned to produce a series of paintings depicting the past accomplishments of the Naval Special Warfare Group. With his artwork, he also designs and invents new equipment for the military and law enforcement, specializing in sniper and observation gear.

CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS

Lance Nelson's complete collection of military artwork is available for purchase, in a variety of formats—including museum-quality Giclee—at his website.

All images are used by exclusive permission from the artist. Artwork is copyright and original property of MilitaryIllustrations.com and is not to be reproduced, duplicated, or distributed without permission.

Silent Warrior and the Special Forces Creed

THE SILENT WARRIOR

I am an American Special Forces soldier. A professional.

I will do all that my nation requires of me. I am a volunteer, knowing well the hazards of my profession.

I served with the memory of those who have gone before me...I pledge to uphold the honor and integrity of all these, in all that I am, in all that I do.

I am a professional soldier. I will teach and fight wherever my nation requires, to liberate the oppressed. I will strive always to excel in every art and artifice of war.

From the Special Forces Creed.

SPECIAL FORCES
THROUGHOUT HISTORY

This print displays a depiction of men from the Special Forces from key points in the organization’s history. Each Green Beret in the picture represents a specific era of proud service in Special Forces history. This painting captures the spirit of each era, and shows the world what Green Berets may have looked like during each time period while continuing the legacy of excellence, as warrior-ambassadors throughout the world to defeat the enemies of freedom and to liberate the oppressed: De Oppresso Liber.

James Dietz, who began his career designing ads, movie posters, and book covers, found his true calling in historical aviation, automotive, and military art. Today his award-winning work is internationally acclaimed with a long list of clients that include Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Federal Express, BMW, and Cessna, not to mention innumerable military organizations. A book featuring his art entitled Portraits in Combat was recently published by Barnes & Noble. In 2005, Dietz fulfilled a childhood dream when he got the opportunity to play the role of a Curtis Helldiver aircraft pilot in Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong.

	All images are used by exclusive permission from the artist. Artwork is copyright and original property of James Dietz, American Arts & Antiques, Inc., and is not to be reproduced, duplicated, or distributed without permission.
AT THE READY Fighting the Global War on Terrorism

James Dietz's complete collection of military artwork is available for purchase, in a variety of formats—including museum-quality Giclee—at his website.

All images are used by exclusive permission from the artist. Artwork is copyright and original property of American Arts & Antiques, Inc. and is not to be reproduced, duplicated, or distributed without permission.