In The Moment
Sharing in the jubilee of the end of the war, Greta Zimmer Friedman and George Mendoza embraced and their photo has become the most iconic V-J day photo ever. Taken by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, the photo hoped to capture the celebration of the Victory over Japan and the end of World War Two. The photo which was published in Life magazine which "caught the U.S at a moment of pure relief and represented people letting go of their inhibitions. An examination of that day in 1945 reveals how people celebrated: Booze flowed; inhibitions were cast off; there were probably as many fists thrown as kisses planted:in other words, once the inconceivable had actually been confirmed and it was clear that the century's deadliest, most devastating war was finally over, Americans who for years had been accustomed to almost ceaseless news of death and loss were not quite real for a somber, restrained reaction to surrender. That response would come, of course. In time, there would be a more considered, reflective take on the war and on the enemies. American had fought so brutally and at such a cost, for so long."(Time magazine). And while this picture has been plastered in US history textbooks nationwide, very few people know the stories that arose from the iconic photo. The picture quickly grew in popularity and rumors spiraled about who the two lovebirds in the photo were as well as the nature of the encounter as some have even claimed sexual assault.
Who Are They?
Contrary to belief, the women in the picture was not a war nurse, but instead, Greta Zimmer Friedman: a dentists assistant who after hearing news of the war while at her work had gone out in the street to see the commotion. According to Friedman, "Suddenly, I was grabbed by a sailor. It wasn't that much of a kiss. It was more of a jubilant act that he din't have to go back," she said."I found out later he was so happy that he didn't have to go back to the pacific where they had already been through the war.""So encapsulated in the moment neither realized that they had been photographed at all, and therefore when Life magazine published the picture in the magazine with the caption "V-J day" and unidentified people, Friedman wrote to Life explaining she was the one in the picture. However, many women at the time were coming forward claiming to be the one in the photograph.
It wasn't until 1980 when Life Magazine did a re-run asking for the identities of the mystery sailor and "nurse". After having mailed in picture of herself as proof, Friedman was identified in 1980 as the 'nurse' in the photo and was sent a copy of the picture as well as an apology from Eisenstaedt. The mystery sailor however George Mendoza didn't come forward for many more years.
George Mendoza who was was a first class navy sailor, had at the time, actually been on a movie date with his future wife on V-J day !!! He and his future wife(not engaged at the time) Rita had been in a cinema when the announcement was made from Radio City Music Hall. George who was apparently very drunk ran outside and grabbed the first nurse he saw. {Ha Rita must have been pissed.} According to Mendoza it was, " the excitement of the war being over, plus I had a few drinks, so when I saw the nurse I grabbed her, and I kissed her."(Rossington). Oddly enough, in the actual photo Rita can be seen standing behind the two in the background smiling at the camera.
From the photo one thing question that was brought to the attention of the press was if the kiss could be considered sexual assault? With facts being brought into the light such as the two being perfect strangers, Georges intoxication, and Greta's limited awareness of what was actually happening some people today question if this could be considered an act of sexual assault . Journalists like the Huffington post, New York Daily News and other bloggers have written about the idea using interview quotes from Greta in which she described the encounter:
* "It wasn't my choice to be kissed. The guy just came over and grabbed!"
* " I did not see him approaching, and before I knew it, I was in this vice grip."
*" You don't forget this guy grabbing you."
*"That man was very strong. I wasn't kissing him. He was kissing me."
(quotes from CBS News, Daily Mail, and Huffington Post)
While none of the News outlets took a stand to stay the embrace was for certain an act of sexual assault the idea has been debated heavily, especially comparing the testimonies of both Greta and George.
Picture of Rita in background!
George in Navy uniform
Young Great
Bibliography
https://nypost.com/2012/06/17/the-true-story-behind-the-iconic-v-j-day-sailor-and-nurse-smooch/
http://time.com/4486812/wwii-kiss-photo-vj-day/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/fantastic-story-behind-iconic-image-8812998
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/02/kissing-sailor-photograph-eisenstaedt-mendonsa-friedman_n_1471058.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2187071/Times-Square-Sailor-nurse-kissing-iconic-WWII-photograph-reunited.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sailor-nurse-from-iconic-vj-day-photo-reunited/
I love this photo. Thank you for posting. I want to believe that this is the iconic picture of joy that the war was finally over. The image certainly does not look forced but enjoyed and wanted by both. I wish people would not read more into this photo than what it is. Such a happy photo to be seen by our enemies. It's the best celebration.
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