An Appreciation of John Wicart

Working with John Carlton Wicart – whether in newly liberated Kuwait in 1991 (or the 1988 Republican Convention in New Orleans) – was always eye-opening. He saw photo opportunities where others did not, from animals freed by U.S. soldiers at the Kuwait zoo — including a darling elephant — to those documenting brutal scars of tortured Kuwaitis who had been liberated from Iraq by U.S. and allied forces.

 

John was ever curious, enthusiastic, laugh-out-loud funny and had the most incredible knack of being able to walk up to any person, anywhere, from any walk of life and immediately chat away, establishing instant connections and helpful introductions. This skill was invaluable for his teammates as well as his own work, and illustrated his ever-present humanity.

 

While at USIA the former FSO gave me a hardbound copy of “2201 Fascinating Facts” inscribed with the quirky advice of Three Gringos:

 

 1)  Passport, tickets, Lomotil and wallet;

 2) Go slow, be last;

 3) Planes don’t really fly, the Earth turns.”
 

Photo: Jacqui Porth and John Wicart with a newly liberated  pachyderm at the Kuwait zoo in March 1991.

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Jacqui Porth, a long-time writer for the USIA Wireless File, accompanied John Wicart on assignment to Kuwait in March 1991 to document the destruction left by the Iraqi invasion.