Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps

Sep 18

On October 7, 2023, Israel was plunged into chaos when Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack that left over a thousand civilians dead and the nation on the brink of all-out war. Few Americans saw it as closely—or as personally—as Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps, commander of the Marine Security Guard Detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

From within the embassy walls and on the tense streets of a city under siege, Gunnery Sergeant Lewis witnessed history unfold in real time. His leadership carried the weight of protecting American lives in one of the world’s most volatile regions. He recalls the urgency of split-second decisions, the courage of embassy staff under unimaginable stress, and the burden of responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform.

These experiences are chronicled in his book Caught in the Crossfire, a raw and unflinching account of Israel’s darkest day. More than a memoir, it is a story of duty and humanity—of a Marine balancing service to country with his role as a husband and father. Through his eyes, readers gain a rare perspective not only on the violence and aftermath of October 7, but on the enduring resilience of those called to serve.

It was my honor, through the Heroes in Focus Foundation, to capture Gunnery Sergeant Lewis in portraiture—preserving both his likeness and his story for the living archive. Founded with the purpose of honoring U.S. military personnel and their allies worldwide, the foundation pairs fine art portraiture with narrative testimony to ensure that the sacrifices and stories of service endure.

By sharing portraits such as those of Gunnery Sergeant Lewis, Heroes in Focus bridges the divide between military and civilian communities. It is an act of remembrance, education, and empathy—ensuring that future generations can look into the eyes of those who served and truly understand their courage.

Through academic lectures, museum collections, exhibitions, and outreach, Heroes in Focus stands as a lasting tribute to extraordinary individuals like Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis. His service, his story, and now his portrait, are part of the archive—a testament to leadership, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of history.

U.S Marine CorpsU.S MilitaryIsrael Hamas Conflict

RORY LEWIS

Winner of the Portrait of Britain in 2017 and 2018. Lewis is a dedicated portrait photographer who has spent over a decade capturing many of the world’s most recognised faces. Sitters have included the likes of William Shatner, David Cameron, Sir Derek Jacobi, Iain Glen and Natalie Dormer. Rory’s images have been exhibited on both sides of the Atlantic, and several of his iconic portraits have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London. His recent project, ‘Soldiery’, which documented the British Army of the 21st Century, was completed over a two year period and has been hailed as a national success story, named by the BBC as ‘The changing face of the British Army’. Rory divides his time between London and Los Angeles, working with a wide variety of clients. In addition to his projects and private portraits, his photography has been commissioned by Pepsi, Universal, the British Army, The Times, The Guardian and Cancer Research UK, among others. Rory draws immense inspiration from the masters of art including Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera.

http://www.rorylewis.studio

Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps

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