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St. Louis, MO-- May 8, 2008 -- Carl B. Schilligo, who worked for 52 years in the photo industry, died on April 30, 2008.

He was 87.

Schilligo, who was one of the first photographers to take low-level aerial shots of Hiroshima just days after the event, was known as a pioneer of the photo industry. He commenced his photography career during World War II, working as a VD-3 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in the Navy for more than four years.

After beginning his tour on December 8, 1941, one day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor; he flew 63 missions and was a highly-decorated combat veteran. Schilligo received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as an air crewman of a PB4Y-1 (the Navy's version of the B24 bomber).

His B24 plane, the "Devil Dog," was part of photographic squadron 3, during operations against enemy forces in the South Pacific. He also received the Navy Air Medal with nine gold stars, a navy unit citation, good conduct medal and four campaign medals. For his accomplishments, he was inducted into the Enlisted Combat Aircrew Roll of Honor for his bravery and valor.

Schilligo returned to St. Louis after the war, where he went to work for Arel Inc. owned by Abe Lipsitz. After several years there, he worked for Kalimar Inc., an American distributor founded by Bob Lipsitz in 1952. Kalimar began importing Aires 35 cameras from Japan to the U.S. In 2000, Kalimar was acquired by Tiffen, a global manufacturer and distributor of cameras, electronic flash units, binoculars and lenses as well as accessories such as filters and gadget bags. He became the company's executive vice president.

While at Kalimar, he traveled extensively visiting Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, the former Soviet Union, Mexico and South America, distributing photographic merchandise.

"He was a real innovator in manufacturing, importing and distributing photographic accessories. He was one of the main reasons that Kalimar became so successful," said his son, Jerry Schilligo.

In 1981, Schilligo was employed by Abbe Photo and went on to CWE/JRS, also known as JRS Ventures, Inc.-- getting in on the ground floor of "the exploding" diverted name brand film distribution business. He retired in 1997 as its executive vice president.

Three of Schilligo's children, Joe, Jerry and Carol are carrying on his passion with the photo industry working at JRS Ventures in O'Fallon, MO.

According to his son, Schilligo modestly referred to himself as a peddler; selling, and managing for some of the largest wholesale photographic distributors in the country. He made many friends and mentored many of the leaders in the industry today. He was an avid photographer, fisherman, outdoorsman and marksman. He took great pride in establishing an 170-acre family farm, just 90 miles southwest of St. Louis, which he affectionately called "the Lazy S Ranch."

Married for 63 years to his wife, "Sis" Marie, he is also survived by their four sons: Jim, Joe, Jack and Jerry; five daughters: Carol, Marie, Sue, Linda, and Laura; 25 grandchildren and 20 great-grand children.