Hugo Wilmar photographs General Wainwright's tickertape parade. General Wainwright, Bataan's hero receives a grand reception on the streets of New York City.

In June 1945, Hugo Wilmar begins his training as a war photographer at the prestigious US Army training center. At the Signal Corps Photographic Center he learns the tricks of the trade.

As part of his training, he must be with classmates perform various assignments. One is the shooting of General Wainwright's Ticker tape Parade on September 13, 1945 in the streets of New York.

The route

The tickertape parade in New York normally runs along Broadway. This is also called Manhattan's Canyon of Heroes mentioned. General Wainwright's tickertape parade turned out differently due to road works. This photo was probably taken on 5th Avenue.

Background

It is not entirely clear whether this photo was taken by Hugo Wilmar, or whether he is on it himself. The photo is from the family archive of Mary Eddy's basement. Hugo Wilmar has described the situation in detail in the letter to his parents. The setting of General Wainwright's Tickertape Parade matches the official Newsreel movies of the event. However, this is inconclusive about who exactly took the photo.

Have you read in the newspaper that Bataan's hero and Corregidor General Wainwright has returned from Japan to the States? Just like Eisenhower, he had a great reception here.

When there are such important events we are sent in pairs to the important points. An American and I had to photograph the procession through New York. It went so slowly that we walked all the way, albeit at an accelerated pace, next to or right in front of the open car with the 4 stars. The mayor was also gawking at her. I was happy when he finally got to his hotel where another couple was waiting, because there was such deafening cheers all the way and all those scraps of paper they threw from the skyscrapers.

I managed to reprint one of the photos, but should not say it too loudly.

The American people are otherwise nice: there were large signs everywhere with “WELCOME HOME SKINNY” (Skinny) something we would not easily do in Holland with someone who has just received the highest accolade.

- Quote from Hugo Wilmar from a letter to his parents dated September 27 1945