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Associated with the final victory of World War II, one must wonder about the personal story of one famous photograph. “The Kissing Sailor” delves into the historic photo of a sailor passionately kissing a nurse as Times Square received the news that Japan had surrendered and World War II was officially over.

On Aug. 14, 1945, moments after Japan’s surrender in WWII, a legendary Life photo was taken of a sailor smooching a nurse in Times Square. Their ID has been speculated about for 67 years, but a new book, The Kissing Sailor, claims to have solved the mystery.

Article from “Whom You know – The Best of Manhattan and Excellence Everywhere.” Posted July 2, 2012

At Whom You Know, we are obsessed with books (count well over 400 reviews…) and clearly, we couldn’t be prouder to be American, and are dedicated to finding excellent American products. So, you can just imagine Peachy Deegan’s extreme enthusiasm when met with the opportunity to work with the U.S. Naval Institute/Naval Institute Press to review The Kissing Sailor! Printed in the USA, The Kissing Sailor is a tale that deserves to be told and one that you should read. Everyone knows the picture, but few know the story behind it, and it’s time the truth finally was disclosed.

Published June 24, 2012 – by The Galveston Daily News:

“The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo That Ended World War II,” by Lawrence Verria and George Galdorisi, Naval Institute Press, 2012, 224 pages, $23.95

Publisher’s Weekly Writes:

Clancy Series Moves to SMP:

By MAUREEN CALLAHAN

Last Updated: 6:03 AM, June 17, 2012

Posted: 12:37 AM, June 17, 2012

Vincent DeWitt
AT PEACE: Rita Petry says she’s never been mad that on their first date, husband George Mendonsa kissed a woman he thought was a nurse to celebrate the end of WWII.

As first dates go, Rita Petry thought this one was pretty great: a beautiful summer afternoon in the city, a matinee at Radio City Music Hall, drinks after, followed by a passionate, soon-to-be-iconic kiss.

To read the full review please see the attached .PDF

WWII Magazine – The Kissing Sailor

Annapolis, MD—David Hartman, the original host of Good Morning America and foreword author of The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo That Ended World War II by Lawrence Verria and George Galdorisi, will be interviewed on ABC’s morning talk show, The View.  The taping will take place on June 20^th and the show will air on June 22^nd.   All members of the studio audience will be the lucky recipients of a complimentary copy of the much discussed book.  Please check your local listings for air times.

Dear George,

I write to tell you what a superb job Larry Verria did today in introducing and explaining the book to a capacity audience at the Naval War College Museum. In roughly 40 minutes, he made an exceptional presentation and built his (and your) case for George Mendosa’s claim to fame elaborately, methodically – and most importantly – credibly. Then George got up and had a few words to buttress the claim and showed his arms as physical evidence. When he also spoke of his wife of 68 years, he clinched the deal for any doubting Thomases left in the audience.

By Jan Gardner

June 10, 2012

On Aug. 14, 1945, the day Japan’s surrender to the United States was announced, Times Square in New York City was overrun with crowds celebrating the end of the war. Overcome with emotion, a sailor spontaneously embraced and kissed a woman in a white uniform. Unbeknownst to the couple, Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the moment.