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The Sailor from the Most Famous World War II Kiss Has Died

One of the most iconic photos in history is the one of the sailor kissing a woman in Times Square to celebrate the end of World War 2 in 1945.  Sadly, that sailor died on Sunday.  Today would have been his 96th birthday.

His name was GEORGE MENDONSA, and he was on leave at the time, after a stint in the Pacific.  He was actually on a first date with one Rita Petry . . . who would later become his WIFE . . . when the news broke that the war was over.

Everyone started drinking and celebrating in the streets.  That’s when he saw GRETA FRIEDMAN, who he thought was a nurse.  In an interview a few years ago, George said, quote, “We’re all drinking and raising hell . . . it was just plain instinct, I guess.  I just grabbed her.”

His date didn’t even care.  She said, quote, “I was in the background, grinning like a mutt.  It didn’t matter to me.”  They married in 1946, and were together until his death.

Greta didn’t mind either.  She said, quote, “Suddenly, I was grabbed by a sailor.  It wasn’t that much of a kiss.  It was more of a jubilant act that he didn’t have to go back.”

The girl from the photo died in 2016.  She was 92.

 

@life on Instagram: “Sale extended 1 more day through 11/29! To celebrate the holidays, we are offering a 30% discount on original, iconic prints in our shop.…”

Via www.instagram.com

 

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