New York Times photographer Joao Silva covered the Medal of Honor Ceremony at the White House last night. It was Silva’s first assignment out of Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital since he stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan last year.

[Background: Silva on Fresh Air talking about his recovery, CJ Chivers on Fresh Air]

It was great to see photographer Joao Silva back in action and back on Page 1 of The New York Times. He covered the closing of Walter Reed for the paper. [more on Joao from The Times]

(Joao Silva on Fresh Air last year talking about losing his legs in Afghanistan.)

Audio is now up for Terry’s interview with combat photographers Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva. A slideshow of their war photographs can be found here.

Combat photographer Joao Silva, on voyeurism: “Somehow the camera gives us access to the most intimate moments in peoples’ lives. And you do feel out of place when you’re photographing a mother cradling a dead son or whatever the case may be. Or a young Marine helping an injured friend — you do feel like you’re somewhat out of place. But at the same time, you know that it’s important to do it. It’s what you’re doing there. Otherwise, stay home and hang out with your Playstation.”

I called my wife. I told my wife, because I had seen my legs were gone, I told my wife, ‘Listen. Legs are gone. But I think I’m going to be OK. I think I’m going to live.

— Joao Silva’s immediate reaction after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan. [Silva’s photographs and interview, conducted via tape sync from Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital.]

Joao Silva lost both of his legs in a landmine explosion in Afghanistan last October while working as a contract photographer for the New York Times. He spoke to Terry Gross about his injuries and about working as a combat photographer from Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital, where he is recovering. 

Joao Silva at Walter Reed Medical Center (via LensBlog)

An Afghan mujaheddin fighting with the Northern Alliance fires at Taliban positions Sept 1999 near Charikar on the Shomali plains. Joao Silva takes pictures on right. (Greg Marinovich) (via and much more on Greg Marinovich’s blog)

Both Silva and Marinovich are on Fresh Air tomorrow. Marinovich has been shot four times. Silva lost his legs in a landmine explosion in Afghanistan last fall. 

Tomorrow: combat photographers Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva. They were filming the Civil War in South Africa where they became known as part of the BangBang Club. Silva lost his legs in a land mine explosion in Afghanistan last fall. [background on Silva’s injuries here]