War Photographer Captures Final Image Before Bomb Kills Her And Four Others

Combat photographer specialist Hilda Clayton died during a life-fire exercise training operation in Afghanistan four years ago.

She was killed when a mortar tube exploded in the Laghman province, along with four Afghan soldiers.

The photos of that moment have now been published, with her family's permission, in the US Army's Military Review Journal.

Clayton was attached to the 4^th Armoured Brigade Combat Team and was part of a training mission.

Credit: US Army

Her team oversaw certifying Afghan forces for being able to carry out mortar operations.

The 22-year-old was in charge of documenting the exercise for use later on, but the exercise went terribly wrong when the mortar tube was accidentally triggered.

The Military Review Journal article accompanying the photographs reads: "Not only did Clayton help document activities aimed at shaping and strengthening the partnership, but she also shared in the risk by participating in the effort.

Credit: US Army

"Combat Camera soldiers are trained to take still and video imagery in any environment. Their primary mission is to accompany combat soldiers wherever deployed to document the history of combat operations. Clayton's death symbolizes how female soldiers are increasingly exposed to hazardous situations in training and in combat on par with their male counterparts."

Combat Camera has since named a photographic competition after Ms Clayton. The Best 'COMCAM' Competition consists of five days of events to test competitors on their physical and technical skills.

According to the Augusta Chronicle, during her funeral in 2013, Colonel Bill Benson said: "Though not assigned directly to Long Knife, Spc. Clayton embodied the Cavalry spirit. She was always willing to take on any mission and she pursued every opportunity to tell our story with her images.

"Our deepest condolences are with her husband, her parents, and her family and friends at home. Though nothing can fill the void that has been left, I hope that there is some consolation in knowing that Spc. Clayton was a valuable member of the Long Knife team and that she made a positive difference every day that she was with us."

Ms Clayton's husband, Chase, wrote an emotional post online saying: "Rest in peace my beautiful wife. She passed doing what she loved for her country. I love and miss you baby. See you in another life. Rest in paradise my love."

Featured Image Credit: US Army

Topics: military

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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