TB58's definitions

1000 yard stare

You'll find that the phrase was in fact koined during the Second World War and popularized when a painting of a Marine exhibiting the stare was accompanied by a notation to the effect that Marines referred to the look as a "two thousand yard stare". However, the stare itself has been known as long and man has engaged in persistent, long term combat that resulted in Battle Stress Disorder.

The Marine exhibited the 1000 yard stare typical of victims of PTSD.

by TB58 February 4, 2016