Navy Vet Famous for WWII Kiss Photo Dead at 86

Glenn McDuffie is thought to be the sailor in Times Square
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 15, 2014 5:43 AM CDT
Navy Vet Famous for WWII Kiss Photo Dead at 86
In this 2007 file photo, Glenn McDuffie holds a portrait of himself as a young man, left, and a copy of Alfred Eisenstaedt's iconic 'Life' magazine shot.   (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)

The Navy sailor believed to have stolen what might be the famous kiss in US history is dead at age 86, reports NBC News. Glenn McDuffie is credited with being the vet smooching a nurse in Times Square on Aug. 14, 1945, to mark the end of World War II. Though Life photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt didn't get either of the kissers' names, a police forensic artist said in 2007 that she was "absolutely positive" McDuffie was the sailor.

McDuffie explained previously to the AP that he was in New York when he heard the news that Japan had surrendered:

  • "And then I saw that nurse," he said. "She saw me hollering and with a big smile on my face. ... I just went right to her and kissed her. We never spoke a word. Afterward, I just went on the subway across the street and went to Brooklyn."
(More World War II stories.)

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