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 20th and the show will air on June 22nd. 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.
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.
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.
Sailor in iconic photo identified as Middletown man
By FLO JONIC (2012-06-11)
PROVIDENCE, RI (RIPR) – It’s been a mystery for decades. But now two Rhode Island authors say they have unlocked the identity of the sailor who kissed a woman dressed in white in Times Square on August 14, 1945 – the day the surrender of Japan was announced. They’ve identified the sailor in the iconic photo as a Middletown man.
Perhaps the most iconic image of the 20th Century was taken by “Life Magazine” photo journalist Alfred Eisenstaedt August 14, 1945 in Times Square in New York City. The occasion was V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day, which ended World War II. Eisenstaedt’s subjects for the photo were a young sailor and a woman wearing a white uniform locked in an embrace. Coronado author George Galdorisi (Capt. USN-Ret.), who along with co-author Larry Verria, has written a book entitled “The Kissing Sailor” which explores the identities of the couple depicted in the photo.
(WATERLOO CEDAR FALLS (IA) COURIER 23 MAY 12) … Austin Ashlock
CEDAR FALLS — On Aug. 14, 1945, millions of Americans rejoiced at the end of World War II, but perhaps none more than U.S. Navy Sailor George Mendonsa.
Better known as “the Kissing Sailor,” Mendonsa’s moment of joy was captured by Life magazine and became a treasured piece of Americana.
On Tuesday, part of that history arrived in Waterloo.
As a part of the 2012 National Spirit of ’45 Day public awareness campaign, Robert Corpus and Chris “Woody” Woodall have been traveling across the U.S., making stops at museums and memorials to recognize those who sacrificed during World War II.
As featured in ABC News national blog, singer Katy Perry re-enacted the photo with a midshipman she pulled onto stage in a recent concert at the United States Naval Academy. Read the full ABC News Story here.
Katy Perry had been sick, but that didn’t stop the singer from doing her patriotic duty and performing at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
In a video posted on YouTube, Perry, wearing a sailor-style halter top, skirt and a Navy cap, called midshipman Beasley up onstage for a kiss, but first asked him how old he was. When he replied that he was 20, she responded, “Is this legal? Well, I’m a little bit older than you, but that’s all right, I can be your Mrs. Robinson.” Perry was referring to the character in the movie “The Graduate,” in which an older woman seduces a college boy.
Eric Felten did readers – and the Nation – a great service in his weekend piece “Embraceable Who?” in the May 19-20, 2012 Wall Street Journal. His robust and well-written article called attention to the recent book, The Kissing Sailor by Larry Verria and George Galdorisi (Naval Institute Press, May 2012, $23.95, ISBN 978-1-61251-078-1).
One of the two most iconic photographs ever taken (the other being Joel Rosenberg’s picture of the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima) and far and away the most iconic photo ever taken by the father of American photojournalism, Alfred Eisenstaedt, and published in America’s photo magazine, LIFE, V-J Day, 1945, in Times Square has been the photo most Americans have grown up with. It still adorns college dorm walls today, over 66 years after it was shot in the chaos of Times Square on that national day of jubilation.
Gretta Friedman, the nurse in the iconic WWII photo, has the chance to talk about her side of the story. Click here to read the full news report from the Washington DC ABC Affiliate.
In the volatile waters of the Arabian Gulf, America’s military might is spearheaded by the aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson. Under the command of Admiral Heater Robinson, this powerful strike group is ordered to stand fast…
