J Malan Heslop: WWII Combat Photographer & The Lens of History

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the extraordinary life of J Malan Heslop (1923–2011), a courageous WWII combat photographer whose camera captured some of the most critical and harrowing moments of the 20th century.

Born in Utah, Heslop cultivated an early passion for photography before enlisting in the United States Army Reserve in 1942. Serving with the 167th Signal Photographic Company, he deployed to the European Theater during World War II, where he documented major historical milestones, including the Battle of the Bulge, and photographed iconic leaders like Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. Most notably, we discuss his vital, solemn role as one of the first American photographers to uncover and document evidence of Nazi war crimes and survivors during the liberation of the Ebensee concentration camp in Austria.

Beyond his front-line military service, we delve into Heslop's prolific post-war journalism career. Returning home, he spent two decades as the chief photographer for the Deseret News, eventually rising to the role of managing editor for both the Deseret News and Church News. We also highlight his deep commitment to his community through his extensive leadership roles in the LDS Church and his work as a published author.

Join us as we remember a man whose Holocaust photography and World War II archives continue to educate the world and preserve the truth through collections at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Archives, and Brigham Young University's Saints at War project.

Source credit: Research for this episode included Wikipedia articles accessed 2/27/2026. Wikipedia text is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; content here is summarized/adapted in original wording for commentary and educational use.