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The man behind one of the most iconic photos of the 20th century has died at the age of 95.
George Mendonsa’s passing was announced by the American Veterans Center this morning.
On Aug. 14, 1945, he was photographed kissing a young woman in the middle of a massive celebration in Times Square as Americans celebrated the end of World War II.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Mendonsa, World War II veteran known as the kissing sailor in the famed photo #VJDayinTimesSquare. Many know the photo, but few know the story. Take a moment to listen here: https://t.co/xvxAe5xpzC #RIP pic.twitter.com/NsmHMpPBSN
— American Veterans Center (@AVCupdate) February 18, 2019
Mendonsa had been serving in the Pacific for two years aboard USS The Sullivans, but was on leave at the time.
On his final day on leave, he was New York when it was announced that the war had ended and he instantly joined in on the booze-filled celebrations.
He had recently met the “beautiful” nurse, Greta Zimmer, from the photo and when he saw her celebrating in the streets, he planted the iconic kiss on her.
“I saw the nurse. If that girl did not have a nurses uniform on I never would have done that,” he explained in a 2015 interview. “Because after it was over, I went my way, the nurse went her way, we thought nothing of it.”
One thing that is often not said about that famous kiss is that Mendonsa was on his first date with another woman that day.
In fact, the woman was just a couple feet away looking on as Mendonsa kissed Zimmer.
It may not have been the best move for a first date, but it didn’t seem to hinder them.
Mendonsa and that woman, Rita, ended up getting married and they were together for more than seven decades.