On September 27, 1942 Dith Pran was born in Cambodia. He'd grow up to passionately pursue journalism. Along the way he met Sydney Schanberg while working as his interpreter and assistant. At this time, the Vietnam would come to an end but Sydney would only be able to get Dith's family out in time. Unforunately. Dith was forced to remain in Cambodia undeer Communist rule. While there, Dith was forced to do back breaking work out in the "killing fields", as Dith reffered to them, for many hours on only a handful of rice a day. In the mean time Sydney would spend fourand a half years searching for his dealy beloved friend. Finally, after Dith managed to escape, he and Sydney were reunited.

        Once Dith settled in the U.S., he worked as a photographer for the New York Times. In 1976, before Dith escaped, Sydney's work in Phnom Penh which Dith helped him with won Sydney a Pulitzer Prize. A agazine article, describing Dith's story, would later be turned into a book,which later turned into a film that won three Oscars. While Dith was in America he remained very involved inCambodian matters. He joined and founded foundations supporting refugees and educating the lpeople on the Khemer Rouge regime. He strongly critisized the Khemer Rouge regime and was upset that Pol Pot was not brought to justice before he died.

Unfortunately, Dith Pran died of pancreatic cancer which he was diagnosed with three months prior. Being the fighter that he is, we know he went down strong. He believed, "It (the body) is just a house for spirit, and if the house is full of termites, it is time to leave." Dith Pran will forever be remeber for his strength, courage, and bravery.