Fred Minnick spent more than a year in Iraq as a U.S. Army public affairs photojournalist, covering the good, bad, and ugly sides of the conflict. With a Nikon in one hand and an M-16 in the other, he accompanied combat troops on missions ranging from raids on suspected terrorist strongholds to public relations events, including the opening of a school for girls. Some of the stories made it back home, most did not. Camera Boy offers an eye-witness account of the Iraq War from a soldier with a different POV—from behind a camera and typewriter. Unfortunately, being assigned to public affairs did not shield Staff Sergeant Minnick from the horrors of war—including the deaths of two close friends—or from the devastating effects of PTSD upon his return home. It is a story of courage, frustration (with both the military and the mainstream media), dedication, and redemption. Includes more than 40 black and white photos taken by the author.