Norman Hatch

Norman Thomas Hatch was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who filmed much of the combat footage used in the documentary film With the Marines at Tarawa.

Early life

Hatch was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in nearby Gloucester.

Military service

In 1939, Hatch joined the Marine Corps. Some of his cine films are now online; see External Links.
In November 1943, he was part of the Battle of Tarawa, and waded ashore with other Marines. Hatch used a Bell & Howell Eyemo to film the invasion and the ensuing combat.

Civilian career

After the war, Hatch worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a civilian from 1946 until 1980. He later opened and ran a photo agency, Photo Press International, for 21 years.