Greta Zimmer Friedman passes
The sad news comes to us that Greta Zimmer Friedman, the woman in the above picture has passed after a long period of illnesses.
Friedman was a 21-year-old dental assistant in a nurse’s uniform on Aug. 14, 1945. She went to Times Square amid reports that the war had ended. That’s when she was kissed by George Mendonsa celebrating Japan’s surrender.
Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the moment. It became one of the most famous photographs of the 20th century.
George Mendonsa died in 2014 at the age of 86.
Category: We Remember
I wonder how she felt about the take on her iconic kiss in “The Watchmen”? That the couple was unknown for so long was appropriate as their kiss seemed to symbolize the end of the war and the beginning of the baby boom, so they appeared to be symbolic of the coming reunion of so many GIs and their sweethearts after the war.
Goodbye and Rest in Peace.
Today, that sailor would be attending a Sharp class for what he did. ?
Brother, you got that right–unless there were two men kissing, in which case it would be celebrated.
???????
That sailor attended the class right after that pic was taken — when she got back on her feet, she slapped the shit out of him!
And so goes another member of the greatest generation
Rest Well ma’am
The big statue of the two of them (right next to USS Midway) is my wife’s favorite part of the San Diego waterfront, and I have to admit that she’s on to something. We drive down there fairly often; good food (although Anthony’s is getting screwed out of their Harbor Drive location), various Pacific War memorials, pretty views, and the museum ships are cool.
They picked an appropriate spot for it, right next to Midway, commemorating the end of the war she was built to fight but didn’t have to. Those of you who haven’t been to San Diego should come and see it someday.
Absolutely! I toured Midway with my son on one of my visits when he was in NMC Balboa- amazing to see the history, and you are right on about the statue. Great way to spend a day.
Rest in Peace, Greta Zimmer Friedman. That photo of you and George will always be part of America.
Greta: Your iconic image touched the lives of millions and many thought it was a fitting finale to the war.
May you now reside forever in peace and good health in the afterlife of your choosing.
Blessings …
I never knew she was a dental assistant. I wonder if she also got to enjoy the fun of trying to locate the perennial no-shows for their check-ups….only to locate them months later when they’re crying to the on-call hotline at 3 am with a toothache.