ap photo of dying marine

The Associated Press is defending its decision to transmit a photograph showing a mortally wounded Marine just moments after a rocket attack in Afghanistan.The picture, taken by embedded AP photographer Julie Jacobson, shows Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard suffering severe leg wounds from a rocket-propelled grenade fired at him in an ambush in Helmand province on Aug. 14.

Fellow Marines helped Bernard get to a war-zone hospital, where he died.The AP said it decided to publish the photo even though Bernard's father objected. In a letter to the AP, Defense Secretary Robert Gates strongly objected to the organization's decision.

The AP's senior managing editor, John Daniszewski, said that the image is "part of the history or war" and that the photo and accompanying story are "a respectful treatment and recognition of sacrifice."

The photo accompanied an extensive AP Impact article called "Calm -- then sudden death in Afghan war," by Alfred de Montesquiou and Julie Jacobson.