The Original Airborne Trooper (Iron Mike)
The artwork that I selected to write my essay on is The Airborne Trooper, which is famously nicknamed Iron Mike. This work of art is an icon, known to nearly every solider in the Army. A work of art is the visual expression of an idea of experience, formed with skill, with a medium (Frank & Preble, 2006, pg 3). Lieutenant General T.J.H. Trapnell hosted the reveal of the sculpture, on 23 September 1961 on Fort Bragg North Carolina.
The artist that designed and sculpted Iron Mike is Mrs. Leah L. Hiebert of Winchester, Virginia. Mrs. Hiebert had extensive international experience in fine arts as well as being the wife of Fort Bragg’s Deputy Post Chaplain, Mr. Samuel L. Hiebert. Initially, the top…show more content… All though I did find that, the total cost for the Airborne Paratrooper was a whooping four-thousand, three hundred and forty dollars. Which in 2018 that dollar value translates to roughly thirty-five thousand, nine hundred and three dollars,
Before I arrived to Fort Bragg, I had heard of the Iron Mike statue. However, it was not until I laid eyes on it that I understood the statues significance. It was mesmerizing to see something so refined yet intimidating fitting so well on a military installation that thrives off hard-edged leaders and leading from the front mentality. The meaning of artwork or rather content refers to the message an artist is trying to express or convey to their viewer (Frank & Preble, 2006, pg 15). Iron Mike’s content and figurehead mystique, shows Fort Bragg, and those around the world, a picture of artistic expression.
In conclusion, I came to the realization that this sculpture gave me a better respect for the U.S. Veterans that served before me. As well as, gaining even more respect from my former Army leadership for having a creative mindset to establish such a statue to motivate our present and future military members. The Airborne Trooper, the original Iron Mike has not changed, he is and will always be a testament of the men and women that have chosen and will continue to be the tip of the spear in the United States
