Glenn McDuffie

McDuffie kissing nurse Edith Shain at Times Square

Glenn Edward McDuffie (May 31, 1927 – March 9, 2014) was an American World War II sailor.

He was known for being the subject of Alfred Eisenstaedt's photograph V-J Day in Times Square.[1] McDuffie was photographed during an impromptu kiss with nurse Edith Shain during a spontaneous celebration on August 14, 1945 following the announcement of Japan's impending surrender which formally brought World War II to an end.

Early life

McDuffie was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, and enlisted during World War II in the US Navy at age 15, having lied about his age. His brother was a prisoner in a Japanese POW camp. Following the war, McDuffie played semi-pro baseball,[2] and worked for the United States Postal Service.[3]

Personal life

McDuffie married three times and had three children. He outlived his elder daughter and only son, Elene and Mike McDuffie, respectively, but was survived by his younger daughter, Glenda Bell, and her two sons, his grandchildren.

Death

McDuffie died on March 9, 2014 in a Benbrook, Texas nursing home a few hours after suffering a heart attack at a casino. He was 86 years old. He had battled lung cancer in recent years.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Glenn Edward McDuffie, who long claimed to be sailor in iconic Times Square ‘kiss’ photo at end of WWII, dies". New York Daily News.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Kannapolis sailor in iconic WWII photo dies in Houston". Independent Tribune. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  3. ↑ "'Kissing sailor' from famous WWII photograph dies". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Glenn McDuffie, man known as kissing sailor in WWII-era photo, dead at 86". DallasNews.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.