About Us or How Real War Photos began...
It was a little known fact, that during WWII there was a standing order issued to servicemen prohibiting them from taking any photographs or keeping a diary while in service so that in the event of capture, such information would not aid the enemy. Consequently, many left the service without photo memories.
Dad (George Chizmar, Sr.) served on the USS Montpelier (CL-57) in the South Pacific. At the end of the war, like so many others, he was discharged from the Navy and left with only his memories of the past several years and hopes of reclaiming his stake of the American Dream. That's him in the picture, the bottom row (second from the right). The one with an uncanny resemblance to Paul Newman.
George Sr. soon married and played his role in jump starting the "Baby Boom" generation with my brother and I. He tried his hand at a number of businesses, but one seemed to show more promise then the others, mail-order household products.
One day he heard the Pentagon was declassifying most of the WWII photographs and transferring them to the National Archives. Dad was anxious to see if he could find some pictures of the "Monty" and his old sea mates. Word began to spread of his upcoming trip, and soon many old friends were reaching out to him to see if he could find some pictures for them as well.
It didn't take long for him to make the connection and so this was the beginning of Real War Photos. For over 35 years, dad made trips to the National Archives and the Pentagon to research requests for photos from veterans across the country.
However, I must share one story... the US Navy was commissioning a new nuclear submarine the USS Chicago and wanted to display some photos of previous ships who held that name for the commissioning ceremony. Dad was shocked and surprised to receive an order from the US Navy for these photos and immediately called them back. He said, 'Are you sure you guys want to buy these, because you already own them'. They replied, '...definitely because it would take (them) too long to locate all the ships...like finding a needle in a haystack! " Then added, "You would be doing us a great service." So they bought all the ship's pictures and even sent him a special invitation to the commissioning ceremony in Washington DC for the newly minted member to the fleet.
A special note about the USS Montpelier (CL-57), the ship received 13 Battle Stars for World War II and is one of only a few ships with that high number of such stars. She was in the first Allied Offensive of the Pacific War, participated in 26 invasions, 42 operations, 30 campaigns and sailed nearly one quarter of a million miles. She was the first to engage in night battle, and probably the only ship to be struck with 6 torpedos in different battles without one detonation!
On January 22, 1960 the USS Montepelier was sold for scrap to the Bethlehem Steel Co. and shortly after, in the early morning hours, Dad brought my brother and I to a lonely bridge on the south end of Lake Michigan to witness the last mile of the 'Mighty Monty'. Stripped of all guns she was being towed and prepared for her final docking at Bethlehem Steel.
On October 12, 2001, George Chizmar, Jr. passed away with his sons at his side. On March 03, 2025 George David (son) passed away with Jo Ellen at his side. Now, Jo Ellen proudly carries on their legacy, that began long before her father-in-law created RWP and his dream of "Memories Preserved" for veterans of all wars.
Jo Ellen Tison-Chizmar, President, Real War Photos
ANNOUCEMENT: It is with profound sorrow that Real War Photos staff reports the death of our Captain. God is Great and we thank him for his many blessings: the time we had with George, his guidance, intelligence, wit and humor with which he charted our course. You will be greatly missed. We thank you and salute you Sir, RWP staff
George D. Chizmar
04 July 1949 - 03 March 2025
George David Chizmar, 75, passed away peacefully at home in North Lake Leann, Jerome, MI, on Monday, March 3rd, 2025, after a courageous nine year battle with prostate cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones. George previously lived in Wheatfield and Demotte, IN. A true American patriot and veteran, George was born on the 4th of July, 1949, in Chicago, IL to George Chizmar (U.S. Navy veteran) and Grace I. Hargrave, both of whom predeceased him.
George proudly served in the U.S. Army (SP5), during the Vietnam War years as a trumpet player in the Army Band and often traveled the U.S. playing taps for deceased soldiers returning home from war. George graduated in Information Technology programs from the University of Indiana (Bachelors and Masters). He was employed in various industries over the years including: United States Steel, General Motors, Weyerhaeuser, and Westinghouse. Later, George was called upon as a special contractor-consultant for the U.S. Government (DoD), at the United States Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq.
His love of music included playing trumpet, bass guitar and producing musical arrangements for: USS (Gary Steel) Band, the U.S. Army Band, the Fire Truck Authority Band, Snickers (local band) and Leviathan.
In 1990, George met his sweetheart, Jo Ellen Tison in Jackson, MI. They married Jan 01, 1994, on a beautiful cliff in Maui, Hawaii, happily sharing interests in fishing, cooking and travel. Both carried on his father’s business legacy, Real War Photos, since the elder’s passing in 2004, supplying veterans and their families with photo memories of time in service.
George cherished his family and friends who knew him as a sweet and thoughtful man who enjoyed hosting holiday meals and giving well thought out prayers to make it a true thank you to God for so many blessings.
George is survived by “the love of my life”, his wife, Jo Ellen; brother, Greg Chizmar; son, Damon Chizmar (Todd Johanesen); daughter, Amy (Jason) Geary; and was blessed with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Prominent in his daily life, were step-son Jason (Kristin) Bowling; and grandchildren, Tyson and Lily; brother-in-law, Terry (Grace) Tison; and sister-in-law, Nancy (John) Aulisa.
Interment took place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI with honor guard, gun salute and taps from duel buglers to honor his time in service and great love for our country. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite veteran organization.
Our Eagle has landed.
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