Arthur B. Rickerby was born in 1921 in New York. At high school he joined a photography club that was run by his botany teacher. He went to Duke University majoring in political science. His photography career took off when ACME (later UPI) published his work covering Duke University sports events. After graduating, Rickerby joined the US Navy, serving in Captain Edward Steichen’s naval photography unit during WW II. He covered many major events in the Pacific including the bombing of Tokyo, the battle of Okinawa, and he was present at the signing of the Japanese surrender. After the end of the war he continued working as a press photographer.
The present group show images of a Chinese Naval Training Center in Qingdao. American marines were stationed in Qingdao from 1945 until May 1949 initially to oversee the repatriation of Japanese and Korean troops but ultimately they were also hoping to protect Nationalist interests in China. The style of photography clearly shows Steichen’s influence.
