A photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt which shows a U.S. Navy sailor grabbing and kissing a nurse on Victory over Japan Day in New York City’s Times Square has become a cultural artifact of sorts. First published in the Life magazine under the title V-J Day in Times Square, it has remained one of the most iconic and famous images of the 20th century.
Since the photo was taken in the spur of the moment amidst rapidly changing events during celebrations, Eisenstaedt did not have an opportunity to get the name and detail and the identity of the man and woman has remained a mystery for quite some time. Over the years, many people claimed to be the people in the photograph. Among them was George Mendonsa, who was finally confirmed as the sailor in recent years with the use of facial recognition technology.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
