George Mendonsa

George Mendonsa was an American sailor who became an enduring symbol of national jubilation after being identified as the central male figure in the iconic World War II photograph "V-J Day in Times Square." The image, captured by photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt for *Life* magazine on August 14, 1945, depicts a sailor passionately kissing a woman in a white dress amid the Victory over Japan Day celebrations. For decades, his identity was a subject of public speculation and multiple claims until he was formally recognized in the late 2010s. His life story is intrinsically linked to this single moment of spontaneous celebration, which came to represent the collective relief and joy at the war's end.

Early life and background

George Mendonsa was born in Newport, Rhode Island, into a family of Portuguese immigrant fishermen. He grew up in the coastal community, learning the trade from his father before the outbreak of World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a quartermaster aboard the destroyer USS *The Sullivans*, named for the five Sullivan brothers who perished on the USS *Juneau* (CL-52). His service included intense combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations, notably during the Battle of Okinawa, where he witnessed kamikaze attacks and the severe damage to the nearby aircraft carrier USS *Bunker Hill* (CV-17). These harrowing experiences were fresh in his mind when he was on leave in New York City in August 1945.

The "V-J Day in Times Square" photograph

On August 14, 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced Japan's surrender, triggering massive public celebrations across the United States. Mendonsa, on a date with his future wife Rita Petry, was watching a movie at the Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan when the news broke. The couple joined the ecstatic crowds flooding into Times Square. According to his account, upon seeing a woman in a white nurse's uniform—later identified as Greta Zimmer Friedman—he was overcome with emotion, recalling the nurses who cared for the wounded from the USS *Bunker Hill* (CV-17). In a spontaneous act, he dipped and kissed her, a moment immortalized by Alfred Eisenstaedt and an independent photographer, Victor Jorgensen, whose version is held by the National Archives. The photograph was published in *Life* magazine and became one of the most famous images of the 20th century, though Mendonsa's identity was not confirmed by the magazine at the time.

Later life and recognition

After the war, Mendonsa returned to Rhode Island and worked as a commercial fisherman, like his father before him, and later as a mate on a charter fishing boat. For many years, he did not publicly claim to be the sailor, while several other men did. His identity gained serious traction following a 1980 *Life* article that featured his story, and was bolstered by forensic analysis conducted in the 2010s, including studies by Lois Gibson, a forensic artist with the Houston Police Department. Key evidence included matching tattoos, scars, and his distinctive uniform to service records. This scientific analysis, along with testimonies from his family and Greta Zimmer Friedman herself, led to his widespread acceptance as the sailor. The iconic image has been commemorated in numerous forms, including a statue in Sarasota, Florida, titled "Unconditional Surrender."

Personal life and death

Mendonsa married his wartime date, Rita Petry, in 1946, and they had two children. The couple resided in Middletown, Rhode Island, for most of their lives. In his later years, Mendonsa made occasional public appearances related to the photograph and his naval service. He died on February 17, 2019, at the age of 95, following a fall at an assisted living facility in Middletown. His death was widely reported by major news organizations, including The New York Times and CNN, which noted his passing as the end of an era for one of World War II's most recognizable faces. He was survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, and was buried with military honors.

Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:People from Newport, Rhode Island Category:1923 births Category:2019 deaths