Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps – Portrait Sitting

It was my profound honor, through the Rory Lewis Non-Profit, to capture Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps, preserving both his likeness and his story for the living archive.

On October 7, 2023, Israel was plunged into chaos when Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack, leaving over a thousand civilians dead and the nation on the brink of war. Among the Americans closest to the events was Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, Commander of the Marine Security Guard Detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps – Portrait Sitting Copyright © Rory Lewis Non Profit (Heroes in Focus), All Rights Reserved. The Heroes in Focus non-profit is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. EIN 33-2920765 All contributions to Heroes in Focus are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.

From within the embassy walls—and on the tense streets of a city under siege—Gunnery Sergeant Lewis witnessed history unfold in real time. His leadership carried the immense responsibility of protecting American lives in one of the world’s most volatile regions. He recalls the urgency of split-second decisions, the courage of embassy staff under unimaginable stress, and the unyielding weight of duty that defines military service.

Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps – Portrait Sitting Copyright © Rory Lewis Non Profit (Heroes in Focus), All Rights Reserved. The Heroes in Focus non-profit is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. EIN 33-2920765 All contributions to Heroes in Focus are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.

These experiences are vividly detailed in his book Caught in the Crossfire—a raw, deeply human account of Israel’s darkest day. More than a memoir, it is a reflection on service, sacrifice, and resilience, revealing how a Marine balances duty to country with devotion to family.

Through portraiture, the Rory Lewis Non-Profit seeks to bridge the divide between military and civilian communities—using art as an act of remembrance, education, and empathy. Portraits like that of Gunnery Sergeant Lewis ensure that future generations can look into the eyes of those who served and truly understand their courage.

Through museum collections, exhibitions, lectures, and outreach, the Non-Profit continues to honor extraordinary individuals like Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis. His service, his story, and now his portrait stand as a testament to leadership, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of those who serve.