 Unlike regular personnel at the FMPU , combat cameramen suffered a number of casualties . Alumni of the program were " highly praised and much decorated . " Lt. James Bray , a cameraman trained at Fort Roach was assigned to the Ninth Air Force in Cairo , Egypt . While photographing a combat mission he shot down two Luftwaffe Messerschmitts when the gunner was wounded . For his heroism he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross . He then returned to Fort Roach as an instructor . 
